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Enjoy Nagasaki to the Fullest! A 2-Day Itinerary
Nagasaki City is a popular tourist destination that retains a rich history and culture of Japan. Local delicacies such as champon, sara udon, and Turkish rice are also not to be missed. With its exotic charm and gourmet delights, Nagasaki is the perfect destination for a 2-day weekend trip.
In this article, we present a comprehensive 2-day itinerary that covers Nagasaki City’s major attractions and local cuisine. We’ll explore world heritage sites, one of Japan’s three largest Chinatowns, one of Japan’s three great night views, and one of Japan’s three famous bridges, while enjoying delicious local dishes. We also provide information on transportation, travel time, and recommended spots, making it a perfect reference for your travel planning. Get ready for an exciting and fulfilling trip that captures the essence of Nagasaki.
Let’s embark on a 2-day journey to fully experience the charm of Nagasaki!
Day 1: Encounter History and Stunning Views in Nagasaki! A Journey Through World Heritage Sites and Night Views
The first day of the 2-day itinerary in Nagasaki City involves strolling through the historical and cultural streets of Nagasaki, visiting famous spots such as world heritage sites and one of Japan’s three famous bridges, and enjoying local cuisine. At night, we’ll enjoy the night view and taste local food and drinks. With two days of travel, let’s start the first day with full throttle! Here we go.
Starting Point of Nagasaki Tour! From Nagasaki Airport to the City Center
🕛 9:45 am
We start from Nagasaki Airport and take a limousine bus to Nagasaki City. The bus terminal is right outside the arrival lobby, making it easy to find the boarding point.
- Nagasaki Prefectural Bus: Nagasaki Airport Limousine Bus
- Travel time: 43 minutes
- Fare: 1,000 yen
- Timetable: Nagasaki Airport -> Nagasaki Station
- Boarding point: 1F Exit No. 5
We head to Nagasaki Station by limousine bus.
The journey to Nagasaki City offers scenic views of the sea (Omura Bay) and mountains.
The limousine bus arrives at Nagasaki Station after about 45 minutes.
The bus stop at Nagasaki Station is not at the station but across the road (National Route 206) at the Nagasaki Transport Industry Building. (When returning to Nagasaki Airport, the limousine bus also departs from here.)
Arriving at the Gateway to Nagasaki, JR Nagasaki Station! The Excitement Begins
🕛 10:30 am
We arrive at JR Nagasaki Station. In line with the opening of the Shinkansen in 2025, JR Nagasaki Station has been completely renovated. The station building and the interior are sparkling new.
Nagasaki Station is the center of Nagasaki’s city area and the first spot where we can truly feel the atmosphere of Nagasaki. First, enjoy the view of the city.
After enjoying the view in front of Nagasaki Station and feeling the excitement of arriving in Nagasaki, let’s start the sightseeing from here. The streetcar runs in front of the station, so let’s take it to our first sightseeing spot.
Historical Exploration! Japan’s Three Famous Bridges “Spectacles Bridge”
🕛 11:10 am
The first sightseeing spot is Spectacles Bridge. Along with Nihonbashi in Tokyo and Kintai Bridge in Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is counted among Japan’s three famous bridges, a bridge with a long history.
It is easily accessible by streetcar from Nagasaki Station, making it the perfect start to your Nagasaki tour.
If you are a couple or a family, searching for the heart stone hidden in the stone walls can be fun.
Spectacles Bridge is a popular tourist spot that everyone visiting Nagasaki must see.
Read more about Spectacles Bridge
Enjoy Local Delicacies! Lunch with Delicious “Turkish Rice”
🕛 11:30 am
It’s almost noon, so let’s have lunch. There are many restaurants around Spectacles Bridge, making it a hidden gourmet spot known to those in the know.
Since we are in Nagasaki, we want to try the local specialties. There are many delicious dishes in Nagasaki, including champon, sara udon, Nagasaki wagyu beef, and seafood.
Among them, I recommend “Turkish Rice.” It is a local specialty of Nagasaki, consisting of pilaf, pasta, meat dishes, and vegetables served on one plate. It is also known as “an adult’s children’s lunch.”
Near Spectacles Bridge, you can enjoy delicious Turkish Rice at the Italian deli Ponte, run by Hiroyuki Imamichi, who also teaches in the “Pint Recipe” corner of the Nagasaki information program “Pint.”
Read more about Ponte
An Adventure to World Heritage Sites! Gunkanjima Island Tour Cruise
🕛 12:30 am
Next, we will visit the world heritage site Hashima Island, commonly known as “Gunkanjima.” If you are traveling to Nagasaki, you cannot miss Gunkanjima. The massive abandoned island offers a unique view not found anywhere else in Japan.
Read more about Gunkanjima
Note that you can only visit Gunkanjima by booking a special tour cruise in advance. Be sure to make a reservation beforehand.
Checking In at a Hotel in Doza-machi Area
🕛 4:20 pm
After returning from the Gunkanjima tour cruise, let’s check in at the hotel.
If you are staying in Nagasaki City for two days, the best area to choose for a hotel is around Doza-machi.
Among them, Dormy Inn Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is located right in front of Chinatown, with a tram station nearby, making it a perfect base for sightseeing. It’s also close to the downtown area, making it easy to go out for dinner at night.
The best area to stay in Nagasaki City is Doza-machi. If you are unsure about which hotel to choose, check out Dormy Inn Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown.
After checking in at the hotel, let’s take a break and prepare for the night. The Gunkanjima tour cruise is quite long, so you must be tired after enjoying it. Resting is important if you want to enjoy the whole day.
If you still have energy, taking a walk around the hotel area is also recommended. The Doza-machi area has a nostalgic atmosphere, and you can enjoy the retro cityscape.
Breathtaking Night Views! Japan’s Three Great Night Views “Inasayama”
🕛 6:00 pm
Nagasaki is famous for the “night view from Inasayama.” As one of Japan’s three great night views, it is truly beautiful.
A taxi ride from Nagasaki Station to the ropeway station costs about 1,100 yen, so we recommend using a taxi for easy transportation.
Make sure to arrive at the Inasayama observation deck about 30 minutes before sunset. You can enjoy both the magic hour and the night view after sunset.
Read more about Night View from Inasayama
Enjoying Local Cuisine and Sake at Night
🕛 8:00 pm
After enjoying the night view, let’s have dinner in Doza-machi.
We recommend “Torobi,” a small restaurant that offers all kinds of Nagasaki specialties and sake.
They have high-quality dishes made with Nagasaki’s seafood, vegetables, and meat. The relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant is also a highlight.
Read more about Torobi
Day 2: Exploring Nagasaki’s World Heritage Sites and Appreciating the Value of Peace. Don’t Miss Nagasaki’s Gourmet!
The second day of the 2-day trip has arrived. Although it is the last day, we will fully enjoy Nagasaki’s world heritage sites, local cuisine, and more.
If you book an afternoon flight, you can make the most of your second day. Let’s start the day.
Experience Nagasaki’s History at the World Heritage Site “Oura Church”
🕛 9:00 am
Oura Church is Japan’s oldest Catholic church and a world heritage site. Besides enjoying the beautiful Gothic architecture, you can learn about the profound history of keywords such as “Hidden Christians” and “The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan.”
Oura Church is easily accessible by streetcar. If you plan to visit Oura Church, make sure to learn about its history beforehand. It will undoubtedly make your visit three times more enjoyable.
Read more about Oura Church
There are souvenir shops near Oura Church, so it’s a good idea to buy souvenirs there. You can also visit Glover Garden next door.
This area is on a small hill, offering beautiful views of the sea. Be sure to take a walk around and enjoy the surroundings.
Gourmet Walk in Japan’s Three Great Chinatowns “Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown”
🕛 11:00 am
If you come to Nagasaki, don’t forget to visit “Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown,” one of Japan’s three great Chinatowns.
Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is not a theme park but a historic Chinatown. It began when Japan reclaimed land to trade with China, and Chinese people settled there. The cobblestones are the same as those in China, and the gates soaring in all directions are popular power spots. Just walking around is enjoyable, making it truly a “small China.”
If you want to enjoy a gourmet walk in Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, we recommend “Kakuni Manju,” a steamed bun with sweet, tender pork. If you want to try Nagasaki specialties, we recommend champon or sara udon. These dishes are served at all 16 Chinese restaurants in Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown. From traditional Chinese restaurants to trendy ones, there are 16 unique restaurants. Refer to the following article for choosing a restaurant.
Read more about Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
Concluding Your Nagasaki Trip! Appreciate the Importance of Peace at Nagasaki Peace Park
🕛 12:30 am
The final sightseeing spot to conclude the 2-day trip in Nagasaki is Peace Park. Throughout history, only two cities have experienced atomic bombings: Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Peace Park is located near the epicenter of the atomic bomb and serves as a place to mourn the victims and promote everlasting peace.
Read more about Peace Park
Organize Your Travel Expenses! Save Up to 3,000 Yen or More with Smart Transportation
For transportation from Nagasaki Airport to Nagasaki Station and back, use the limousine bus. The main mode of transportation from there is the streetcar. For the night view at Inasayama, we recommend using a taxi.
Let’s summarize the transportation expenses up to this point.
| Boarding Station | Alighting Station | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Nagasaki Airport | Nagasaki Station | 1,000 yen |
| Nagasaki Station | Nagasaki Airport | 1,000 yen |
| Total | 2,000 yen | |
| Boarding Station | Alighting Station | Destination | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagasaki Ekimae Station | City Hall Station | Spectacles Bridge | 100 yen |
| Meganebashi Station | Oura Church Station | Gunkanjima | 140 yen |
| Oura Kaigan - dori Station | Shinchi Chinatown Station | Hotel | 100 yen |
| Shinchi Chinatown Station | Nagasaki Ekimae Station | Inasayama Night View | 140 yen |
| Shinchi Chinatown Station | Oura Church Station | Oura Church | 140 yen |
| Oura Church Station | Shinchi Chinatown Station | Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown | 140 yen |
| Shinchi Chinatown Station | Peace Park Station | Peace Park | 140 yen |
| Peace Park Station | Nagasaki Ekimae Station | Nagasaki Station | 140 yen |
| Total | 1,040 yen | ||
| Boarding | Alighting | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Nagasaki Station | Nagasaki Inasayama Ropeway Fuchi Shrine Station | 1,100 yen |
| Nagasaki Inasayama Ropeway Fuchi Shrine Station | Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown | 1,600 yen |
| Total | 2,700 yen | |
The total is 5,740 yen. Let’s consider how to reduce transportation costs further.
Save Up to 2,700 Yen! Use the Bus
First, reduce the taxi fare used for the round trip to see the night view at Inasayama. You can save the entire taxi fare of 2,700 yen by using the “Nagasaki Ropeway Free Shuttle Bus” to Nagasaki Ropeway Fuchi Shrine Station.
However, since the Nagasaki Ropeway Free Shuttle Bus runs late, adjusting the plan is necessary. If you want to stick to the plan, using a regular bus can reduce the taxi fare of 2,700 yen to 360 yen.
For details on transportation to Inasayama Park, bus timetables, and fares, refer to the following article.
If You Ride the Streetcar for More Than 600 Yen, Get the “Streetcar One-Day Pass”
If the streetcar fare exceeds 600 yen within 24 hours, the Streetcar One-Day Pass is recommended.
https://www.naga-den.com/pages/12/
In this plan, the streetcar fare is budgeted at 1,040 yen. A one-day pass saves you 440 yen.
No Need for Travel Planning! Easy Sightseeing with Tours
If you are not good at planning trips, domestic tours are recommended. For tours in Nagasaki, Kinki Nippon Tourist offers good value for money.
For example, 'One Person One Room Same Travel Fee! Choice of Sightseeing in Minami-Yamate, Night View of Nagasaki, and Gunkanjima Cruise 2 Days' <One Person One Room Same Travel Fee> [Haneda Airport Departure and Arrival] includes most of the itinerary introduced this time, with a night view hotel and more, offering a fulfilling plan.
Concluding Your 2-Day Sightseeing in Nagasaki Covering Major Attractions and Local Delicacies
Nagasaki City is a popular tourist destination full of highlights, including world heritage sites, one of Japan’s three largest Chinatowns, one of Japan’s three great night views, and one of Japan’s three famous bridges. This 2-day trip is a condensed plan that allows you to fully experience Nagasaki’s charm, strolling through streets rich in history and culture while enjoying local delicacies like champon, sara udon, and Turkish rice.
Visit famous historical sites such as Spectacles Bridge, Gunkanjima, and Oura Church, be moved by the breathtaking night view from Inasayama, enjoy a gourmet walk in Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, and realize the horrors of war and the importance of peace at Peace Park. In just two days, you can experience the diverse attractions and gourmet delights unique to Nagasaki.
The exotic charm, rich history, and delicious food rooted in Nagasaki will captivate the hearts of visitors. Using this 2-day itinerary as a reference, please visit Nagasaki yourself. It will surely be an unforgettable experience.
Next weekend or during a holiday, plan a trip to historical Nagasaki. Warm hospitality, rich nature, and delicious cuisine are waiting for you.