After a long time away, I finally returned home to Nagasaki.
This trip was not only about visiting family but also about exploring places I had always wanted to see and rediscovering the city’s unique charm.
From waddling penguins to glowing illuminations, from historic Western-style houses to the mysterious silhouette of Battleship Island — Nagasaki offers a mix of healing nature, cultural depth, and emotional history.
If you’re planning a Japan travel itinerary that goes beyond Tokyo or Kyoto, Nagasaki is a perfect destination to consider.
Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium 🐧
If you’re an animal lover, the Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium is an absolute must-visit.
Located about 30 minutes by bus from JR Nagasaki Station, it’s the only aquarium in Japan dedicated solely to penguins.
Why it’s special
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Home to nine different species, including Humboldt, King, and Rockhopper penguins — the largest collection in Japan.
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Features a unique “Penguin Beach”, where the penguins swim in real seawater.
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Offers interactive experiences like feeding sessions and penguin walks.
Travel tips
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🚌 Access: Bus from JR Nagasaki Station (approx. 30 minutes).
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⏰ Time required: 1–2 hours.
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🎁 Souvenirs: Original penguin-themed goods at the gift shop.
Photo caption: Penguins swimming freely at Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium — a rare sight in Japan.
Huis Ten Bosch: Day & Night Magic 🌷✨
Located in Sasebo, Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park that recreates a European-style townscape, complete with canals, flower gardens, and red-brick houses.
By day
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Stroll through flower-lined streets, cafés, and shops.
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Taste authentic Dutch cheese and bread.
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Enjoy a canal boat ride.
By night: The Kingdom of Light
Huis Ten Bosch transforms into the “Kingdom of Light,” one of Japan’s largest illumination shows. Millions of LED lights sparkle across canals and buildings, while projection mapping and music bring the town to life.
Travel tip: From Hakata, take the limited express “Huis Ten Bosch” train (1 hr 45 min).
Photo caption: Huis Ten Bosch at night — millions of lights creating a fairy-tale world.
Ōura Church & Glover Garden ⛪🌿
In central Nagasaki, Ōura Church is the oldest surviving Western-style Christian church in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A short uphill walk leads to Glover Garden, a hillside museum of Meiji-era Western houses. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views of Nagasaki Harbor.
Highlights
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Explore the former residence of Thomas Glover, a Scottish merchant key to Japan’s modernization.
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Walk through seasonal flower gardens.
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Try on period-style costumes for photos.
Travel tip: Take the tram to “Ouratenshudo-shita” and walk 5 minutes uphill.
Photo caption: Ōura Church — Japan’s oldest Christian church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Night View from Mount Inasa 🌌✨
The night view from Mount Inasa is considered one of the Top Three Night Views in Japan. From the summit observatory, the city glitters like a “jewel box of lights.”
Couples often take photos at the “Heart Tree” monument, said to bless eternal love.
Travel tips:
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🚡 Ropeway from Fuchi Shrine Station or taxi/car.
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⏰ Visit at sunset for the best experience.
Photo caption: The night view from Mount Inasa — a jewel box of lights overlooking Nagasaki Bay.
Battleship Island (Hashima / Gunkanjima) ⛴️🏚️
Known as Battleship Island because of its warship-like shape, Hashima Island (Gunkanjima) was once a thriving coal mining hub. At its peak, over 5,000 residents lived here, complete with schools, hospitals, and theaters.
After the mine closed in 1974, the island was abandoned. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized as part of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.
Even from afar, the sight of its crumbling apartment blocks rising from the sea is hauntingly beautiful.
Travel tips:
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🚢 Tour boats depart daily from Nagasaki Port.
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⏰ Tours last 2.5–3 hours.
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⚠️ Weather may affect access.
Photo caption: Battleship Island (Hashima) — once home to thousands, now a haunting UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Closing Thoughts 💖
What made this trip special wasn’t just the attractions — it was the conversations with family and the time spent reflecting on Nagasaki’s layered history.
From penguins to night illuminations, from Western heritage sites to the ruins of Battleship Island, Nagasaki offers something unique for every traveler.
If you’re planning a Kyushu travel itinerary, don’t overlook Nagasaki. It’s a city where East meets West, history meets modern life, and nature meets culture — leaving you with memories that last a lifetime.
Photo caption: A peaceful sunset in Nagasaki — a perfect farewell to five unforgettable days.
