Nagasaki Prefecture | Japan’s Historic Gateway to the West

 

Located on the western edge of Kyushu, Nagasaki Prefecture stretches across a deeply indented coastline and numerous islands, giving it a distinctly maritime character.

 

From the 16th century onward, the port of Nagasaki served as Japan’s primary window to overseas trade, first with Portugal and later with the Netherlands and other nations. Historic sites such as Dejima, Ōura Cathedral, and Glover Garden preserve this legacy and illustrate the early influence of Western culture in Japan.

 

In 1945, Nagasaki was the target of an atomic bomb. Today, the Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum stand as places where visitors from around the world learn about the devastation of nuclear warfare and the ongoing importance of peace.

 

Nagasaki also boasts remarkable natural settings. The Gotō Islands, Iki, and Tsushima each offer clear coastal waters and largely undeveloped landscapes, while the volcanic peaks of Mount Unzen on the Shimabara Peninsula are surrounded by hot‑spring towns shaped by centuries of living alongside active geology.

 

With its layers of international history, commitment to peace, and wide‑ranging natural environments, Nagasaki Prefecture presents a multifaceted portrait of Japan’s past and present.

 

 

• Nagasaki City

 

• Nagasaki city
• Sasebo city
• Isahaya city

 

• Approximately 1.3 million

 

• Glover Garden
• Peace Park
• Huis Ten Bosch
• Goto Islands

 

• Nagasaki Champon – noodle soup with seafood and vegetables
• Sara-udon – crispy noodle topped with stir-fried sauce

 

• Hasami-yaki – Hasami porcelain
• Mikawachi-yaki – Mikawachi porcelain

 

 

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