Nagasaki Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Nagasaki, Kyushu, Japan)



Picture of dancing display at Huis Ten BoschWith a population approaching half a million and plenty of superb scenery, the city of Nagasaki is centred around its breathtaking harbour area and the surrounding hillsides. Nagasaki boasts an attractive shoreline, with plenty of interesting attractions for visitors, including beaches, neighbouring islands, mountainous scenery and even a national park.

A good tourist information centre can be found at Nagasaki Station, and whilst the staff here are happy to find you accommodation, they do not speak English, although they are very patient if you bring a dictionary. Further useful information about city life and the main sights is available at the Nagasaki Prefectural Tourist Federation, where the staff do speak English and can be found on the second floor of the Prefectural Building. Here are some travel tips about life in Nagasaki.


View of the Glover Garden

Useful Contact Details


Nagasaki Tourist Information Centre (TIC)
Address: Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 095 823 3631
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 19:00

Nagasaki Prefectural Tourist Federation
Address: 2nd Floor, Prefectural Building, Nagasaki, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 095 826 9407
Open hours: Monday to Saturday, September to May - 09:00 to 17:30; June to August - 09:00 to 19:00

Photo showing the Suma Archway

Language and Dialect

Local Japanese dialects exist around Nagasaki, Kyushu and all over the country, being known locally as 'ben'. Standard Japanese is called 'hyojungo' and simple spoken phrases in hyojungo are understood by all locals.

By bringing a good Japanese phrasebook, you will find that you will be able to successfully speak to the locals and this can be quite a rewarding experience and a memorable part of your holiday. Useful Japanese phrases to use in Nagasaki are as follows:

I'd like to buy... - ... o kaitai desu
How much is it? - ikura desu ka?
I'm just looking - miteiru dake desu
It's too expensive - taka-sugi masu
Please repeat that more slowly - mo ichido, yukkuri itte kudasai
I am looking for a... - ... o sagashite imasu
Hotel - hoteru
I'd like a room - heya o onegaishimasu

Visa Information and Passports

If you are planning to work in Nagasaki, you will need to arrange the relevant visa with you local Japanese embassy prior to your arrival. However, most holiday makers can simply fly into Japan, where temporary visitors visas (tanki-taizai) are allocated when you land at the airport.