Nagasaki, Japan

Daikoku-machi

The best and easiest way to travel around the beautiful bay city of Nagasaki is by tram. The logical place to begin is central Nagasaki in the station area, known as Daikoku-machi, which although cluttered and busy, contains dozens of shops and restaurants of interest, as well as a handful of popular and moderately-priced business hotels, including the Hotel Wing Port Nagasaki and the Nagasaki Orion Hotel, whose comfortable rooms are only about a one minute walk from Nagasaki Station. In addition, extra travel information is available nearby at the Nagasaki Tourist Information Centre. After getting some maps and advice, the 26 Martyrs Memorial, in Nishizaka-machi, and Honren-ji in Chikugo-machi are both popular tourist attractions. Make sure to budget plenty of time to see all the sites, however, as Nagasaki's plentiful hills and steep inclines, wear out even the fittest of tourists.

Nagasaki Bay

Continuing south, you will soon be at the Ohato tram stop. Reaching out into the bay to the West is Motofuna-machi, where, besides a few hotels with good views of the bay, you will find the Nagasaki Terminal and port area. From here, boats run tours of the bay and carry passengers to such destinations as Iojima, where you can experience an amazing view from the top of the unmanned Iojima Lighthouse. Pass over the Nakashima River, and you have arrived in Dejima-machi, an area of considerable world fame. Dejima was an artificial island built in 1636 in Nagasaki Bay for foreign traders, as foreigners were barred from the country. Here you will find a park and the Dejima museum, dedicated to the former Dutch outpost of the same name. While there, grab lunch at Chikyukan, a unique restaurant where both the menu and chefs change daily.

Shinchi-machi

From this point, the tram veers west toward Shinchi-machi, an area more colloquially known as China Town. This area is similar to other Chinatowns worldwide, with excellent Chinese restaurants and a few specialty shops. From Tsuki-machi, the nearest tram stop, you can then head south toward the Glover Gardens. Glover Gardens are considered an "important cultural asset" by the Japanese government, because it is the home of the oldest wooden building of western design in Japan. The gardens are a relaxing and tranquil place to have lunch, or visit the nearby historical buildings, such as Oura Cathedral and the famed Dutch Slope. The slope is composed of irregular-sized stone slabs or bricks, and is lined by ivy-covered stone and concrete walls.If you're looking for nice, moderately-priced accommodations in this area, try the Nagasaki Washington Hotel; the restaurant on its top floor offers a great view of the city.

Hamanomachi

Trams north of Tsuki-machi arrive in one of the livelier parts of the city. The first stop is Hamanomachi, where Hamanomachi Arcade, Nagasaki's largest and most famous shopping arcade is located. Follow the tram a little further east, past the Kanko-dori stop, and you have arrived in Nagasaki's entertainment district, Shianbashi Gourmet Street. In this area you can experience everything from fine traditional Japanese dining at places like Kagetsu, operating since 1642, to the relaxed and contemporary Moonshine. Best of all, the action in Shianbashi doesn't even begin to wind down until well after midnight, so there's plenty of time to try it all.

Temple Row

From the west end of the Hamanomachi arcade, the tram line continues north and gradually begins to veer northeast. At your first tram stop, Migiwai-bashi, you may want to step down to visit the Spectacles Bridge, just a block or so to your west. Another couple of blocks beyond, you will find Temple Row. You could continue on the tram line northeast, but if you have the strength and time, the road along Temple Row runs parallel, and provides quite a scenic stroll. Either way, you will eventually arrive in Shindaiku-machi. Not far from this residential shopping district is Suwa-jinja, the city's most prestigious shrine and another frequent destination on Nagasaki itineraries. If you're in town the first week of October, be sure to stop here for the energetic Nagasaki Kunchi, a colorful, energetic festival held in honor of the city's patron god. Travel due east and you will arrive back at the Nagasaki Station area, ready to explore what lies north.

Northern Nagasaki

Northern Nagasaki is perhaps the most frequented part of the city, due in no small part to Peace Park, where the Nagasaki Peace Ceremony is held yearly on August 9th. Even though a flood of visitors pass through Heiwa-machi everyday, the area is quiet calm and very relaxing. No doubt, the area's educational institutions and residential districts affect this to some extent. Just west of the Peace Park also lies Urakami Cathedral, from whose name the general area and local JR station draw their own names. 

Minami-Yamate

Two final areas of Nagasaki that deserve your attention are located in Minami-Yamate. One is Mount Inasa, located to the west, across the Urakami River from the Nagasaki Station area. This peak provides arguably the best views of the city, not to mention some of the finest hotels, including the Hotel Majestic, with its beautiful Southern European styling. A few kilometers in the other direction, to the east, there is another elevation, on which the Kazagashira Park is located. While the views from this residential area are not as spectacular as those on Inasa-yama, it is certainly more intimate and peaceful. Here, it is quite possible to enjoy a stunning sunset on Nagasaki Bay, which is a perfect way to end the day in this lovely and exciting city.  Need something sweet before heading back to your hotel?  Try Nagasaki Kasutera, which a large selection of th small kasutera sponge cakes for which the city is famous.