Nagasaki, An Exotic Port TownWith Amazing Night Time Scenery

content: Nagasaki city is a port city with amazing night time scenery. It also has an influence of Western culture and Eastern culture since it has been an entrance for international trade for a long time. There are many cruising ships coming into Nagasaki port which make great night time views. You can learn Japanese history of trading and industry and see beautiful views of the city both at night and day. You can enjoy Nagasaki's exotic townscape and romantic nightscape in Nagasaki city.

Summary

Nagasaki city is on the island of Kyushu. Nagasaki city is known as a port city which has been an entrance for international trade for a long time. It is also a famous place for enjoying great night view spots. You can see influences of Western culture and Eastern culture throughout the city. Many ships still come and go from Nagasaki port, especially cruise ships, About 200 ～300 cruising ships come in per year, so Nagasaki port is very lively. Another charm of Nagasaki city is its night views. A night view from Mt. Inasa was chosen as one of the top three amazing night views of Japan. A view from one of the symbols in Nagasaki, Megamio bridge, is great as well. You can see cruising ships coming into Nagasaki port directly below you from the bridge.

A City With A Mixture Of Western And Eastern Culture, Nagasaki City

Nagasaki city in Nagasaki Prefecture is about two hours by plane from Tokyo, and about seven hours by bullet train. Nagasaki city is known as a port town which played a very important role in international trades. Nagasaki port was one of few ports opened for limited numbers of foreign countries during the period of isolation between 1639 and 1859. Since other parts of Japan were closed, Nagasaki was one of the only places to gain information about foreign culture, technology and science. For these reasons, there are many Western buildings and Eastern temples remaining in Nagasaki. Nagasaki city has prospered as a port of foreign trade from a long time ago. The wonderful sites and traits that come from a mixture of Western and Eastern culture has contributed to and become one of Nagasaki’s charms.

An Entrance of International Trades, Nagasaki Port

Nagasaki port was open in 1571 for some foreign countries such as Portugal and China. In addition, during the 19th century, Nagasaki port played a role as a bridge between Japan and China. Through foreign tradings, Japan gained much influences from foreign countries, and you can see European and Eastern Asian influences everywhere in Nagasaki.
About 200~300 cruising ships come and go in Nagasaki port every year. The port is very lively and sometimes cruising ships leave at night, so the night view of cruise ships is also very beautiful.

Nighttime Scenery Is What Nagasaki Is Known For Most

Nagasaki port is not only known for a long history of foreign trading but also its night time views.There are many great night view spots near Nagasaki port.

Mt. Inasa

Mt. Inasa is one of the most popular spots for a night view in Nagasaki.
The scenery from Mt. Inasa was chosen as one of the “Top three amazing night views of Japan” along with views in Kobe and Sapporo.
The observatory was rebuilt in April, 2011. The scenery comprised of thousands of lights at the foot of mountain has such a romantic atmosphere. Not only the night view, but also the view during the day is great. You can see the view of Nagasaki city as well as Goto islands when the sky is clear. Mt. Inasa park has an open space for the public to relax, play, and have events. There are stages and event spaces so music concerts and festivals are often held in this space. You can also take a ropeway to the top of the mountain. The view from the ropeway is also great.

Glover garden

Glover garden is an open-air museum. Some Western-style houses are exhibited, and one of them is “Glover house”. It was built by Thomas Glover, a Scottish merchant, who founded Glover trading company in 1861 in Japan. It is registered as one of the important cultural properties.
There are beautiful flowers everywhere in the garden. You can enjoy different flowers and plants in each season. Glover garden at night has a different image compared to that in daytime. It has a very romantic atmosphere and is a great place for a date!

Mt. Nabekanmuri

The elevation of Mt. Nabekanmuri is 554 feet (169 meters). It is located within a 10 minutes’ walk of the second gate of Glover garden. From the observatory, you can look out at Nagasaki port. It is said that the view from this observatory is the best or the second best in Nagasaki. It is also a popular place as a spot you can take great pictures of cruising ships coming and going under the Megamio bridge.

Megami Bridge, “Venus Wings”, Welcomes Everyone!

Megami bridge is now one of the symbols in Nagasaki city. A one way trip across is 0.8 miles (1.3km), and the height from the ocean surface is 213 feet (64 meters). You can walk or drive on the bridge. You cannot park on the bridge, so if you want to walk, you should park your car in a free parking lot near the bridge. There are 2 parking lots within a 6 minutes’ walk from the bridge. You can even look at the bridge from the parking lot, so if it is cold outside, you can just park your car, and look at the bridge from inside.
Once you walk to the center of the bridge, you’ll see a great view of the clear blue ocean and the city of Nagasaki on the Mt. Inasa side. On the other side, you’ll see small islands sporadically spaced. The scenery during the morning, day, and night are all different. At night, the bridge is lit up until 11pm. This Megami bridge is also known as “Venus Wings”. When the light is turned off, it looks like a Venus folding its wings. It is beautiful. It is a great location for a date too!
There are small windows on the bridge, so, if you are brave enough, you should look out the windows and see how high you are.

Check out the different views from Megami bridge between sunset and night

Nagasaki is known for having great night view spots. However, the sunset view from Megami bridge is worth seeing. After walking on the bridge 328 feet (100 meter), you’ll see a beautiful sunset right in front of you. The scenery at sunset of small islands including Io island will make a great memory of your trip. Also, there are many ships coming and going from the port so the wave lines those ships make add a great feature to the scenery.

Night view

There are huge cruising ships leaving Nagasaki port at night. You can see those cruising ships with beautiful lights leaving right below you from the bridge. The scenery of a huge cruising ship and the night view of Nagasaki port is a must-see. You might have come in by taking a ship but the scenery you see from inside the ship and the scenery you see from outside of the ship are totally different.
Both views during sunset and night are worth seeing. However, you are not allowed to cross the bridge from one side to the other, so after you see sunset, and if you want to see a night view on the other side, please make sure to go back to the entrance of the bridge and go to the other side for safety reasons.

There is more to enjoy around Megami bridge!

Seeing a great view from Megami bridge is not the only way to enjoy your visit. It is a great place to take a walk during the day. After parking your car at Megami bridge parking lot, you can walk on Megmi bridge. Even if it is a sunny day, sometimes it is a little bit chilly on the bridge because of the wind, so make sure to wear the appropriate wear. After crossing the bridge, go through under a girder bridge, and then you’ll see stairs with Megami bridge on your left. If you go up the stairs, there is a shirine called “Kouzaki Shrine”. This shrine is up on the hill and the view from this shrine is magnificent. You can see a great view of Megami bridge and Nagasaki bay! There are benches so you can take a break and spend a relaxing time while you look out at the great view.
Another good thing about this shrine is that it is known for getting economic luck or a good fortune in money matters. You can see great scenery and get good luck for money...what a great place!

Nagasaki City’s Exotic Townscape And Romantic Nightscape

Nagasaki city was the center of international trades and where Japanese people learned about a lot of foreign technology and science. There are still foreign influences remaining such as western-style mansions everywhere in the city. Because it has been open to foreigners for a long time, there are many cruising ships coming into Nagasaki port which make great night time views. People come to Nagasaki to enjoy the mixture of Western and Eastern culture as well as to enjoy magnificent night views. You can learn Japanese history of trading and industry and see beautiful views of the city both at night and day in Nagasaki.

Information

Mt. Inasa

By Bus: From Nagasaki station, take a Nagasaki bus #5 bound for Mt. Inasa, get off at the last stop “Mt.Inasa bus stop”

Address: Fuchimachi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture 852-8012, Japan

Glover Garden

Address: 8 Minamiyamatemachi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki-ken 850-0931, Japan

Hours: 8:00 to 18:00 (until 21:30 in summer and during peak seasons)

Closed: No closing days

Admission Fee: 610 yen

Mt. Nabekanmuri

Address: 2 -17-144-1 Izumo, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki-ken 850-0924, Japan

Megami Bridge

Address: 6 Nishidomarimachi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki-ken 850-0075, Japan

Fee: 100 yen

Reference List

https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/course/60049/
https://tanoshi-nagasaki.jp/nagasaki-harbor-terminal-pier-night-view
https://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/guide/60756/
https://www.at-nagasaki.jp/
http://www.japansmeijiindustrialrevolution.com/site/nagasaki/component05.html