[15 Popular Date Spots in Nagasaki] A Special Couple’s Trip Surrounded by International Charm and Spectacular Views

An open-air museum preserving the former foreign settlement where merchants who came to Nagasaki from overseas more than 160 years ago once lived.
It stands on a hillside overlooking Nagasaki Port, and the grounds are dotted with many highlights.
The main attraction is its nine traditional buildings, especially the Former Glover House, where Thomas Blake Glover, who contributed to Japan’s modernization, once lived. It is a valuable property registered as a World Heritage site.

Kujukushima is a sea area made up of a complex ria coastline and 208 islands.
The word kujuku, meaning ninety-nine, is used figuratively to mean countless or a great many.
Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort stands at its gateway and is a complex facility where you can enjoy sightseeing cruises, marine leisure activities, an aquarium, and a zoo.
The sightseeing boats range from large vessels to small ones, offering many ways to enjoy the area, from taking in the panoramic views of Kujukushima to observing plants and marine life up close.

Shinchi Chinatown is one of Japan’s three major Chinatowns, alongside those in Kobe and Yokohama. Though small and compact in scale, about 40 shops line a cross-shaped street stretching Approx. 250 m east to west and north to south, selling Chinese cuisine, Chinese sweets, and Chinese goods.
In addition to trying champon and sara udon, it is also fun to enjoy street food such as hatoshi, deep-fried shrimp paste sandwiched between slices of bread, and kakuni manju, a bun filled with melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly.

Hashima, commonly known as Gunkanjima or Battleship Island, is an uninhabited island located Approx. 18 km offshore from Nagasaki Port.
Coal was discovered on the island around 1810, and mining continued there for many years.
In 1960, as many as Approx. 5,300 people lived on the island.
Today, the buildings have fallen into disrepair and the island has truly become a ruined island, but its unique atmosphere continues to captivate visitors.
It has also drawn increasing attention as a filming location for many movies, TV dramas, and music videos, including Attack on Titan.

Japan’s largest theme park, featuring beautiful European-style streets and canals that connect to the sea. The park is decorated with seasonal flowers and dazzling illuminations throughout the year, and it is also packed with the latest attractions. A wide variety of events are held as well, creating plenty of excitement and memorable moments.
From spring to summer, one million tulips and one of Asia’s largest rose displays come into full bloom, filling the park with a vibrant floral landscape.
In autumn, dahlias bloom, and in winter, phalaenopsis orchids appear, allowing visitors to enjoy colorful flowers year-round.

Located about 20 minutes by car from central Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium faces Tachibana Bay and, as its name suggests, is an aquarium specializing in penguins.
It keeps Approx. 180 penguins from 9 of the 18 species found on Earth.
Its diverse exhibit styles are a major draw, including the Subantarctic Penguin Pool, where penguins glide through one of the largest pools in Japan at 4 m deep, and the Temperate Penguin Zone, where you can observe penguins from various angles.

The museum houses Approx. 8,000 works, mainly art connected to Nagasaki.
Its collection of Spanish art, ranging from medieval Christian art to modern and contemporary works, is especially notable and ranks among the largest in Asia.
The permanent exhibition galleries, where works are changed several times a year, display masterpieces such as Pablo Picasso’s Still Life with Dove and Joan Miró’s Painting.
Its carefully curated special exhibitions are also highly regarded.

For about 200 years during Japan’s period of national isolation, Dejima was the only place where trade with Western countries was permitted.
This fan-shaped island was built by reclaiming land from the sea in 1636, and not only trade goods but also food culture, Western learning, and even games such as billiards and badminton spread from here to other parts of Japan.
The Dutch Trading Post, originally located in Hirado, was moved here in 1641, making Dejima a major trading base. It is said that the Dutch chief factor, the deputy chief factor, and Southeast Asian servants all lived here.

Oura Cathedral was built for foreign residents living in Nagasaki.
Its official name is the Church of the 26 Holy Martyrs of Japan, and it was dedicated to the 26 saints martyred in 1597. The church was built facing Nishizaka, the site of their martyrdom.
It was designed by the French missionaries Father Furet and Father Petitjean, built by Koyama Hidenoshin, and completed in 1864.
Although made of brick, its exterior is finished with plaster, making it a Gothic church with a blend of Japanese and Western elements.

A 150 m-long deck stretches in front of the two-story building, offering sweeping views of Nagasaki Port, including ferries and cruise ships entering and leaving the terminal, as well as yachts moored in the harbor.
The observation deck connecting the two buildings is a spectacular spot with views of Mt. Inasa and Megami Bridge as well.
The port at night is also worth seeing, when the harbor and sailing ships are illuminated and the atmosphere turns wonderfully romantic.

An aquarium located within Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort, where visitors can fully enjoy the rich natural beauty of Kujukushima, a stunning sea area made up of a complex ria coastline and 208 islands.
The highlight of the exhibits is the Kujukushima Bay Large Tank, a rare outdoor-style tank in Japan that recreates the varied environment of Kujukushima Bay, including rocky shores, sandy areas, rock faces, and reefs.
From the surrounding corridor built around the tank, you can observe Approx. 13,000 creatures from about 120 species living as if they were in the real sea.

One of Nagasaki’s best-known sightseeing spots, Oranda-zaka refers to the stone-paved slopes that remain in the hillside district where the foreign settlement once stood.
The main Oranda-zaka slopes are the slope below Kwassui Gakuin, Kassui-zaka, and the slope in front of Joko-in Temple.
The slope below Kwassui Gakuin was carved out when the foreign settlement was built, and when you walk up it, you can see the Oranda-zaka stone marker. The slope that continues beyond it is Kassui-zaka, which also serves as the school road for Kwassui Gakuin.

Kujukushima consists of 208 islands of all sizes. This observatory is one of the Kujukushima Eight Views selected by Sasebo City as a scenic spot where you can enjoy the island-studded landscape.
The observatory is set in a place overlooking the ria coastline, where a complex shoreline continues around small bays, allowing visitors to see firsthand the surrounding sea, said to have the highest density of islands in Japan.
The view is stunning on sunny days, and on rainy days, the scenery takes on a graceful beauty, like an ink painting.

The main attraction of the Unzen hot spring town, Unzen Jigoku is a place where white clouds of hot spring steam rise thickly with the scent of sulfur, creating a scene that truly looks like hell.
By walking along the promenade, which takes about 30 minutes to complete, you can visit more than 30 different jigoku, or hells.
Each has its own name, such as Daikyokan Jigoku, Oito Jigoku, and Seishichi Jigoku, along with stories and legends behind them.
An observation point has been set up at Daikyokan Jigoku, where the strongest steam rises, allowing visitors to see the steaming phenomenon up close.

This observatory stands in the central part of the Tawaragaura Peninsula, which faces two seas, Sasebo Bay and the Goto Sea, and offers a wonderful panoramic view of Kujukushima spreading out before you.
The sweeping seascape is often said to be the best in Sasebo, and it is not only impressive during the day but also especially beautiful at sunset.
From late March to early April, rapeseed flowers bloom in the spacious circular flower bed, creating an even more vibrant atmosphere.

This observatory stands at the summit of Mt. Inasa, which rises 333 m above sea level in the center of Nagasaki City.
From the observatory, which has a cafe and restaurant, you can look out not only over Nagasaki Bay but also far into the distance to Unzen, Amakusa, and the Goto Islands.
Its beauty is worth seeing not only during the day but also at night.
The spectacular view, often called the 10-million-dollar night view, was recertified in 2021 at the Night View Summit in Nagasaki as one of the New Three Great Night Views of the World, alongside Monaco and Shanghai. Combined with the lighting effects installed on the observatory floor, it creates a romantic atmosphere.

A park spread across the summit of Mt. Nabekanmuri, which stands 169 m above sea level in Nagasaki City.
It features walking paths where you can enjoy seasonal scenery and an observation deck with sweeping views of Nagasaki Port, the city area, and Gunkanjima, making it a popular place for locals to relax.
The beautiful night view from the observatory after sunset is an especially major highlight.
Since the mountain is only about half the height of Mt. Inasa, one of its charms is that you can enjoy Nagasaki’s night view from a closer perspective.
Another nice point is that it is less crowded than Mt. Inasa, so you can enjoy the view in a calmer atmosphere.
The sparkling lights of the port city and the sight of large passenger ships passing beneath Megami Bridge create a romantic moment.

A park spread across Mt. Kazagashira, 151.9 m above sea level, with sweeping views of Nagasaki Port.
In spring, Approx. 350 cherry trees come into bloom, and in early summer, Approx. 2,500 hydrangeas add color to the park.
Scattered throughout the grounds are a statue of the late Edo-period hero Sakamoto Ryoma and a literary monument to writer Shiba Ryotaro, adding to its historical charm.
From dusk into night, a magical scene unfolds as the gradient of the sky blends with the city lights.
There are several scenic viewpoints in the park, so enjoy a walk together and find your own favorite spot.

Located in Shianbashi, Nagasaki City’s entertainment district, Fujio is a renowned creative Japanese restaurant that has earned one star in the Michelin Guide.
All dishes are served as course meals, with a varied lineup that includes the Fujio Course featuring ingredients from Nagasaki, the Sushi Course available only during the third week of each month, and the winter-only Longtooth Grouper Hot Pot Course.
Focusing on fresh seafood caught in the waters off Nagasaki and other seasonal ingredients, each dish is carefully prepared and offers a refined taste that captivates diners.
The restaurant also offers a selection of Nagasaki local sake and wines carefully chosen to pair well with the food.

A popular izakaya known for dishes that make the most of the local bounty from Nagasaki’s mountains and sea. You can enjoy an at-home atmosphere while sitting close together at the long counter, or spend a lively time at the sunken kotatsu-style table seats.
The menu centers on exceptionally fresh seafood, including the signature assorted sashimi platter.
It also offers local specialties such as Nagasaki hatoshi and Nagasaki fried kamaboko. Whale dishes such as whale bacon and saezuri are also popular.

A restaurant located within Dejima, a nationally designated historic site.
Inside the historic Meiji-era building, the Former Nagasaki Naigai Club, you can enjoy Western-style dishes and sweets connected to Nagasaki.
Its most popular lunch dish is Nagasaki’s famous Turkish rice, a one-plate meal with pilaf, tonkatsu, and Napolitan pasta. A key point is that the tonkatsu uses Nagasaki pork and the pilaf is shaped like Dejima.
At dinner, the restaurant serves course meals. It is open by reservation only, for parties of 6 or more.

An official hotel of Huis Ten Bosch, the flower-and-light resort full of memorable experiences.
Luxury hospitality is woven throughout the property, from the special check-in experience by cruiser for hotel guests to live concerts held 365 days a year and a lobby surrounded by vivid flowers.
The guest rooms come in a wide variety, from standard to deluxe types.
Each is coordinated with sophisticated European-style interiors, allowing guests to fully enjoy a true VIP feeling.

A hotel built halfway up Mt. Inasa, where you can fully enjoy Nagasaki’s night views.
It is divided into the Main Building and the Akebono Building, and each has its own rooftop observatory.
Another attraction is that you can admire the sparkling night views from all around the hotel, including the panoramic public bath, terrace, cafe, and bar.
The hotel has 157 guest rooms in a variety of types, all offering a luxurious space to relax in. Of course, you can also enjoy sweeping views of Nagasaki’s night scenery from the room windows.
This hotel lets you spend a special moment admiring beautiful night views in a private setting.

With three accommodation buildings, the Main Building, detached villas, and the New Building, this hotel stands on a hill overlooking Nagasaki Port and the city.
Spread out before you are houses lining the mountainside and regular passenger ships departing from Nagasaki Port.
At night, a jewel-like curtain of lights appears, revealing a Nagasaki scene you will want to gaze at forever.
With the hope that guests can enjoy such a special time, every room offers an ocean view.
Spectacular views can even be enjoyed from the bathrooms, and it is also fun to look out for major Nagasaki sightseeing spots such as Oura Cathedral and the Former Glover House, both recognized as World Heritage sites.