Journey into unknown lands: small guide of Nagasaki prefecture and its islands
At the South-West of Japan, the prefecture of Nagasaki is surrounded by natural beauty, lined with mountains on one side and sea on the other side. It has a richfull past history, along with a generous cultural and traditional inheritance.
Nagasaki played a major role into the story of Japan's international relations. A huge amount of traditions and knowledges from Asia and Europe spreaded into and from Japan via Nagasaki, greatly helping the national modernisation. Its capital, named as well Nagasaki, became sadly famous abroad after an atomic bomb was dropped in August 1945. In this article, we will rather focus on what offers the places outside the capital.
Must see places:
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Kujukushima (Saikai National Park): meaning the "99 islands", referring to their huge number; while there are actually around 208 in the area. This gorgeous seaside has many observation decks on its shores, where you will be able to contemplate the incredible panorama that gave a place to this tiny archipelago in the "Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World". Worthy of special mention: the Ishidake observatory that featured into the Hollywoodian movie "The last Samurai”.
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Shimabara peninsula: a famous destination because of its onsen and hiking trails. The active volcano Mount Unzen, despite its reputation of killer and destroyer, has been recognized for the magnificence of its landscape in 1934. While climbing, you will see pink azaleas if it is Spring, or green tones if it is Summer. Enjoy the natural hot springs offered by nature too!
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The coal island ressembling a battleship Gunkanjima: At 4.5 kms (2.80 miles) west of Nagasaki prefecture, the island of Hashima (its real name) popularly known as Gunkanjima meaning "battleship island", symbolizes the modernisation of Japan. After the local mine closed, the island became deserted and forgotten during many years. In 2009, Gunkanjima was registered as a Modern Industrial Heritage (as a "Site of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution"). Check our dedicated article to learn more about this island.
View on a part of the Kujukushima islands
Mount Unzen's onsen
Far view on Hashima at dawnGourmet
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Shippoku: a local dish that highlights the history of Nagasaki prefecture, by mixing Japanese traditional cooking with Chinese and Western ones. At a round table, enjoy a variety of dishes from diverse places. It is almost more about a cooking style rather than a dish; an icon of the opening of Japan and conviviality.
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Nagasaki beef: reputed the best of the country, Nagasaki beef won the "Award of the Prime Minister" during the "Wagyu Olympics" (national competition happening every 5 years); granting it with the title of best Japanese beef in 2012. Like Kobe beef, the ox is raised according to strict specific conditions.
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Goto Tenboe Udon: (literally meaning hand stretched Udon) one of the three most famous wheat noodles of Japan (with the Sanuki Udon from Kagawa prefecture and the Inaniwa Udon from Akita). With an elastic texture and a shiny appearance, the noodles are stretched while putting Camellia oil into it and dried in the fresh sea breeze of Goto.
Traditional Shippoku
Raw Nagasaki Wagyu
Goto Udon noodlesFestivals and events
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Emukae Sentourou Matsuri, the thousand lanterns festival that is 500 years old. By the end of August, 10,000 hanging lanterns are illuminating the small town of Emukae. The main event remains the tower almost 25 meters high (82 ft.), decorated with 3300 hanging lanterns: its the highest of its kind across the country! You will also see children who alternately pour fresh water onto a wooden statue of Jizo - children guardian - that is paraded across the town afterwards. This ancient Buddhist ritual, called "Mizukake Jizo Matsuri", is supposed to bring health to the participating children.
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Kanoukaen: The biggest fire festival in Nagasaki reproduces a practice described in a 400 and more years old historical parchment. More than 200 participants wearing impressive Samurai armor walk with a torch in the hands, amongst blossoming cherry trees of Tachibana Park. This extraordinary procession comes with battle scene recreation.
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Nagasaki Kunchi, the pride of Nagasaki: Older than 370 years, this autumn festival (beginning of October) celebrates the god of the Suwa Temple. One of its kind, come admire Japanese folklore dances enlisted as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan, but also Chinese dragon dances, Dutch ships, Dutch comedy and much more that attest the multicultural inheritance of Nagasaki prefecture...
Lanterns pyramid
Kanoukaen parade
Dragon's head at Nagasaki Kunchi Festival