There’s no escaping Nagasaki Prefecture’s infamy as the site of an atomic bombing at the end of World War II. But there’s much more to this peninsula-and-island prefecture than these devastating events. On the northwestern coast of the sun-drenched, volcanic Kyushu, Nagasaki Prefecture is the kind of place travelers go to get away from Honshu’s tourist crowds. It has a multicultural history with strong Portuguese, Dutch, and Chinese influences, plus hot-spring towns showcasing geothermal geology and sleepy offshore islands with white-sand beaches. That said, there are lots of things to do in Nagasaki Prefecture.
Although it’s a year-round destination, spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the best times to visit Nagasaki Prefecture. This is when the weather is warm to hot but not too humid. Being quite far south, the temperatures tend to be even hotter than Honshu, so summer can be uncomfortable, although this is an appealing time to head to the beach. Winters are cool, but a good time to visit a hot spring town.
It’s easy to get around Nagasaki Prefecture by public transportation—and given the number of islands, renting a car isn’t necessarily advisable. Nagasaki City has a good streetcar and tram network, but beyond the city, you can use buses, ferries, and trains. Note that trains here tend to be slower than in most other parts of Japan—there are fewer express services, so you might end up stopping at every local station. Navigating buses and ferries is easier if you know some basic Japanese.
Nagasaki’s food culture has international influences, so the prefecture’s food specialties will appeal to travelers seeking flavors beyond typical Japanese fare. Look out for Chinese–style dishes such as chanpon noodle soup and kakuni manju (a pork-filled bao bun). European cuisine is also represented in Portuguese–style castella sponge cake and even beloved Japanese tempura, which evolved from Portuguese cooking techniques.
