Nagasaki in One Day: Nyokodo & Mount Inasa — Guide Yoshi
September, 2024
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 Hotel meetup
- 9:20 Atomic Bomb Museum & Peace Park
- 11:30 Nyokodo
- 12:00 Urakami Cathedral
- 12:40 Lunch at Horaiken
- 14:00 Mount Inasa
- 15:20 Dismiss at hotel
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Nagasaki began at 9:00, when the guide met the guests at Hotel meetup, and finished at 15:20. The day ran to 6 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at Horaiken at 12:40.
From there the group visited Atomic Bomb Museum & Peace Park at 9:20, Nyokodo at 11:30, Urakami Cathedral at 12:00 and Mount Inasa at 14:00.
What Is a Private Nagasaki Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park
I guided a group visiting from Europe. At the start, they requested that I proceed with the tour while keeping an eye on how things went, as one of the guests was not feeling well physically. Because the temperature exceeded 35 degrees Celsius, they used a taxi. Their purpose in coming to Nagasaki was to visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Park, but when I spoke about the Hidden Christians and the story of Dr. Nagai, they also became interested in the Nyokodo, so we visited it together, and they were very pleased. I was happy to be able to draw out the guests' interests.
Click here for more details: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Hello, everyone. I’m Yoshiko Hattori. Please call me Yoshi.
I was born and raised in Nagasaki and am a Nagasaki lover!!!
I became an English tour guide in 2016, and since then I have guided many foreign tourists.
I was born and raised in Nagasaki and am a Nagasaki lover!!!
I became an English tour guide in 2016, and since then I have guided many foreign tourists.
Nagasaki Prefecture is located on the western coast of Kyushu, southwest region of Japan. The prefecture consists of the mainland, and also hundreds of islands that dot its coastline. Being on the west coast and surrounded by ocean and mountains, Nagasaki is well-known for its stunning sunset view over the turquoise ocean; its slow-paste island paradise; and its pride for having the most variety of fresh seafood in all of Japan.
Historically, Nagasaki Prefecture played a very important role in Japan’s international relations. During the Edo period, Japan closed its borders and started its 214 years of national isolation between 1639 – 1853. During this time, Nagasaki was the only port that permitted foreign trade. As such, a vast amount of culture, knowledge and food from Asia and Europe flowed to and from Japan via Nagasaki, which contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan. Today, many of the influences from that period such as food, architecture, festivals, and culture can still be seen throughout the prefecture today.
Nagasaki Prefecture has survived many tragic events such as the persecution of Christians during the Edo period; the eruption of Mt. Unzen, which was the deadliest volcanic eruption recorded in Japanese history; and the atomic bombing of Nagasaki City in World War II. Having to overcome and rebubild from these heartbreaking events, Nagasaki now thrives as an international city with the mission to send and promote would peace. In addition, during World Night View Summit in 2012, Nagasaki City was recognized as one of the “World’s Top 3 Night View” alongside Hong Kong and Monaco.
The culinary culture in Nagasaki Prefecture has always been one of a kind in Japan. Many local cuisines in the prefecture were developed in the Edo Period when Nagasaki was an international trading port. As such, the mixture of cultural influences were also reflected on the local dishes, and these tasty dishes were then passed down for generations to what it is famously known for today (champon, shippoku, castella and many more).
Nagasaki is a Treasure-Chest of Seafood. The coastline of Nagasaki is long and intricate with remote islands, coves and bays. This coastline, along with the sea current, creates one of the best locations for fishing in Japan. Nagasaki hauls in the second largest fish catch in Japan, but it is ranked No.1 for having the most variety of fish, with over 250 species! Some of the most common types of seafood that you can enjoy year-round include Japanese Horse Mackerel (Aji), Chub Mackerel (Saba), Red Sea Bream (Tai), Grunt (Isaki), Pufferfish (Fugu), Yellowtail Amberjack (Buri), Pike Conger Eels (Anago), and Marble Rockfish (Arakabu). Other seasonal specialities include Japanese Spiny Lobster (Ise-ebi), Flounder (Hirame), Flying Fish (Ago), Cutlassfish (Tachiuo) and many more!
Throughout the prefecture, you can easily enjoy fresh and delicious seafood in various ways including sashimi, sushi, seafood rice bowl, hotpot, and even steaming it over a natural hot spring! There are also numerous gourmet events throughout the year for seafood lovers!
Last but not least,I always enjoy guiding every tourist and providing them with my best hospitality.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing you and sharing a wonderful time with you.
See you soon!
Best wishes,
Yoshi
Jul 25, 2026
Meander29121019459
Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yoshi – a great guide
Before we arrived we…
Jul 25, 2026
Meander29121019459
Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yoshi – a great guide
Before we arrived we had discussed a possible itinerary with our tour guide, Yoshi, but in the event it turned out quite different. We spent more time in the Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum. It was fascinating and Yoshi guided us to the most significant parts (she is the daughter of an actual survivor of the bomb). The museum and associated peace park made much more of an impression on us than the ones we saw a few days earlier in Hiroshima where the museum was crowded, far too dark and with far too many small screens. Another must-see destination in Nagasaki is Dejima, which was the only point of contact between Japan and the rest of the world for several centuries – fascinating, and much better to have a guide like Yoshi rather than aimlessly wandering around. So, top marks and thanks to Yoshi and apologies to her for not being as nimble as her in making origami cranes.
Jun 3, 2026
Chris O
Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nagasaki half day Peace museum and local area
This is a…
Jun 3, 2026
Chris O
Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nagasaki half day Peace museum and local area
This is a recommended activity for anyone interested in looking at a range of sights in Nagasaki. As it is a half day you will choose from a set of offerings.
We chose the Peace museum and the Peace Park (areas with remnants and statues to the bomb), cable car and then walk through Chinatown where we had lunch to finish. As it was nearby we also walked through the oldest shopping street to spectacle bridge- named as such for the reflection it makes on the water.
Our guide was the wonderful and informative Yoshi-san. In between the destinations and while walking through them, we had a constant stream of information and question and answers so we learnt a number of things along the way.
Highlights at the park are ground zero above where the bomb exploded, the remnants of a Christian church, a range of sculptures donated by various countries, a cross section of what the ground actually looked like after the blast and the small bomb shelters people dug out of the ground for protection.
At the start of the museum walk you are confronted with an actual clock that stopped at 11:02. It somewhat sets the tone for what follows. At the end, where there are accounts from survivors, you will see a photo now famed as “The boy from Nagasaki”. It is a poignant ending to the whole display…do research the story if you are not familiar with it.
The cable car ride is a worthy addition as you get to see all of Nagasaki and the landmarks you previously walked through.
In order to move quickly through the destinations we choose to travel by taxi …about yen 1400 each trip.
Lunch in Chinatown was a recommendation from Yoshi-san for one of the local specialities – Champon and Sara Udon. Both are a chinese-style noodle served in a rich, creamy broth – one in soup and one with crispy noodles.
After lunch we walked through the oldest shopping street and then to spectacle bridge.
We did this in early June so rain weather can be a factor – we were fortunate to have a warm day, although it rained the next.
As we had also done the Hiroshima tour it was still an appreciated difference…noting that there as are way less tourists as I think most just go for the Hiroshima trip.
May 24, 2026
MrsFrogg
Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
One day on cruise stop in Nagasaki
When traveling by cruise, we…
May 24, 2026
MrsFrogg
Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
One day on cruise stop in Nagasaki
When traveling by cruise, we always arrange a private tour/experience for our small group only. On this trip, we were a group of six ranging in age from 21 to 70. We were SO LUCKY to meet our fabulous guide Yoshi and get to know her on our trip. Yoshi made the day interesting, educational, and fun for all of us. She shared the love and history for her hometown of Nagasaki, and let us know that she had been to Pearl Harbor to have that perspective. We wanted to travel by street car to have that experience (it was a great way to get around), and Yoshi reviewed the options with us first thing in the morning to plan our day. We went to the Peace garden and museum (only a nominal charge for the museum), the Dutch trading village, an observation town, and the stone bridges. Yoshi took us to the shopping area so we could finish our day there. We almost skipped the peace museum, because we had been to Hiroshima museum already (SO CROWDED), but it was a completely different experience and we all were happy that we did not miss it. At the Dutch village, Yoshi took us to the key things to see there and explained them to us so we maximised our time in Nagasaki. Highly recommend this tour and especially Yoshi as the guide. She was delightful.
May 16, 2026
Paul_S
Viator review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great custom city tour.
Customized to meet our specific interests. A perfect…
May 16, 2026
Paul_S
Viator review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great custom city tour.
Customized to meet our specific interests. A perfect blend of taxi, tram and walking around
Nagasaki.