About Nagasaki
9 Best Activities in Nagasaki for Lasting Memories
Unique Activities in Nagasaki
Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu, facing the ocean and surrounded by islands and mountains, offers a wide variety of activities.
The following is a list of projects to enjoy in Nagasaki, including spectacular spots, island cruises, and a ceramic workshop.
Main Photo: Fishing in Goto /Picture courtesy of Goto City
Overview
- ・Activity No. 1: Gunkanjima Tour
- ・Activity No. 2: Unzen Jigoku
- ・Activity No. 3: Kujukushima Cruise and Marine Activities
- ・Activity No. 4: Tatsunoshima Cruise
- ・Activity No. 5: Cycling
- ・Activity No. 6: Hasami Ware Workshop
- ・Activity No. 7: Trekking
- ・Activity No. 8: Fishing
- ・Activity No. 9: Agriculture and Fishery Experience
Activity No. 1: Gunkanjima Tour
Hashima Island, commonly known as Gunkanjima (“Battleship Island”), lies about 40 minutes by boat from Nagasaki Port. It is popular among ruin enthusiasts and is also registered as a World Cultural Heritage site as one of the 'Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution' in 2015.
This island was developed for underwater coal mining. It boasted a population of 5,300 in 1960. Schools and hospitals, along with entertainment facilities such as movie theaters and pachinko parlors, were built on the island.
This mysterious island also inspired the villain’s lair in the James Bond film Skyfall and was a filming location for the live-action Attack on Titan.
While it is normally closed to the public, tour participants can see it up close, and even go ashore through the Gunkanjima Island Cruise.
Agoda also handles tickets for the Gunkanjima Digital Museum, which allows the participants to visit the restricted areas on the island with the help of projection mapping.
This island was developed for underwater coal mining. It boasted a population of 5,300 in 1960. Schools and hospitals, along with entertainment facilities such as movie theaters and pachinko parlors, were built on the island.
This mysterious island also inspired the villain’s lair in the James Bond film Skyfall and was a filming location for the live-action Attack on Titan.
While it is normally closed to the public, tour participants can see it up close, and even go ashore through the Gunkanjima Island Cruise.
Agoda also handles tickets for the Gunkanjima Digital Museum, which allows the participants to visit the restricted areas on the island with the help of projection mapping.
Activity No. 2: Unzen Jigoku
Unzen was one of the first areas to be chosen as a national park, and Unzen Jigoku is an especially popular spot.
There are about 30 fumaroles in the area, spouting smoke in a rocky landscape. The rising steam will make the visitors think about jigoku (hell).
Jigoku Meguri is a 60-minute walking tour of the area (reservations not required). There is also a night tour, which does require reservations, to enjoy the illuminated version of hell.
Visitors can ride the ropeway to scenic spots, or enjoy dining or bathing at a hot spring resort as well.
Activity No. 3: Kujukushima Cruise and Marine Activities
Kujukushima, located in Sasebo and consisting of 208 islands, is a scenic spot famous for its isle-dotted seascape. The blue sea and the green islands viewed from a cruise ship are truly fascinating.
The area is a prominent sightseeing spot in Nagasaki. There are various destinations, such as Kujukushima Aquarium Umi-Kirara, which features magical jellyfish exhibits, and Kujukushima Zoo & Botanical Garden Morikirara, furnished with the largest overhead penguin tank in Japan.
Sea kayaking is also available at certain times of the year.
- Kujukushima Cruising Boat Pearl Queen
- Kujukushima Aquarium Umi-Kirara
- Kujukushima Zoo and Botanical Garden Morikirara
Activity No. 4: Tatsunoshima Cruise
Tatsunoshima in Iki is a popular sightseeing spot, boasting one of the most attractive clear beaches in the area.
Cruise participants can also enjoy the steep cliffs and strangely shaped rocks, along with swimming in summer.
As of November 2025, there are six trips per day to Tatsunoshima. Scheduled service runs from April 1 to November 30; From December to March, the boat runs on reservation only.
There are three types of tours: Fishing/swimming, an island cruise that takes about 40 minutes, and a tour to enjoy both types.
Cruise participants can also enjoy the steep cliffs and strangely shaped rocks, along with swimming in summer.
As of November 2025, there are six trips per day to Tatsunoshima. Scheduled service runs from April 1 to November 30; From December to March, the boat runs on reservation only.
There are three types of tours: Fishing/swimming, an island cruise that takes about 40 minutes, and a tour to enjoy both types.
Activity No. 5: Cycling
Nagasaki Prefecture has the second longest shoreline in Japan, and boasts a wide range of cycling routes.
There are rental bicycle services at major sightseeing spots such as Nagasaki and Hirado, which can be used to tour the urban areas.
Those who want to ride a longer distance should head for the popular routes in the Goto Islands, Omura, or Shimabara, which are listed below.
・Shimogoto Area Cycling Route (143 kilometers):
The course runs through a mountainous area and is used for international triathlon competitions.
・Kamigoto Island Route (49 kilometers):
The course runs along Kashiragashima Village, a World Heritage site.
・Southern Omura Bay Route (46 kilometers):
The course offers a great view of Omura Bay, which surrounds Nagasaki Airport.
・Shimabara Peninsula Circuit Route (106 kilometers):
The course runs through a geopark with a theme of "the coexistence of people among an active volcano" in the Shimabara Peninsula.
For details, please check the site below.
There are rental bicycle services at major sightseeing spots such as Nagasaki and Hirado, which can be used to tour the urban areas.
Those who want to ride a longer distance should head for the popular routes in the Goto Islands, Omura, or Shimabara, which are listed below.
・Shimogoto Area Cycling Route (143 kilometers):
The course runs through a mountainous area and is used for international triathlon competitions.
・Kamigoto Island Route (49 kilometers):
The course runs along Kashiragashima Village, a World Heritage site.
・Southern Omura Bay Route (46 kilometers):
The course offers a great view of Omura Bay, which surrounds Nagasaki Airport.
・Shimabara Peninsula Circuit Route (106 kilometers):
The course runs through a geopark with a theme of "the coexistence of people among an active volcano" in the Shimabara Peninsula.
For details, please check the site below.
Activity No. 6: Hasami Ware Workshop
From Sasebo City or Huis Ten Bosch, it is a 30-minute drive to Hasami-cho, a town in the mountainous area. It is home to Hasami Ware, which has a history of 400 years.
The pottery is known for its style of using zaffre on white porcelain. At Hasami-cho, visitors can try their hand at decorating ceramics or using the potter's wheel.
You can check current workshop information on the town's Instagram account, along with details on how to apply, so do take a look.
The pottery is known for its style of using zaffre on white porcelain. At Hasami-cho, visitors can try their hand at decorating ceramics or using the potter's wheel.
You can check current workshop information on the town's Instagram account, along with details on how to apply, so do take a look.
Activity No. 7: Trekking
Nagasaki Prefecture, with its beautiful expansive mountains, offers many hiking and trekking courses.
Especially popular is Mt. Fugen in Unzen, an area known for sightseeing spots like "Unzen Jigoku" (Unzen Hell). Standing at an elevation of 1,359 meters, the mountain features multiple climbing trails as well as a ropeway. Furthermore, you can get a close-up view of Heisei Shinzan, Japan's newest mountain formed by volcanic activity in the early 1990s.
Additionally, in Nagasaki, the development of trekking courses known as "Kyushu Olle" is underway. Kyushu Olle offers various courses. For example, the Minamishimabara Course, which starts from Kuchinotsu Port, is an approximately 10.5 km trail that takes about 3 to 4 hours to walk. Visitors can enjoy beautiful rural scenery and stunning coastlines designated as a Geopark.
The Shimabara Course is a "volcano-themed" trail where you can walk while viewing Heisei Shinzan, Japan's newest mountain. The course covers approximately 10.5 km and takes about 3.5 to 4 hours.
The Matsuura-Fukushima Course allows visitors to experience the charm of nature, history, and culture, featuring highlights such as the Doya Rice Terraces (Doya Tanada), which was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields. This course covers approximately 10.5 km and takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Especially popular is Mt. Fugen in Unzen, an area known for sightseeing spots like "Unzen Jigoku" (Unzen Hell). Standing at an elevation of 1,359 meters, the mountain features multiple climbing trails as well as a ropeway. Furthermore, you can get a close-up view of Heisei Shinzan, Japan's newest mountain formed by volcanic activity in the early 1990s.
Additionally, in Nagasaki, the development of trekking courses known as "Kyushu Olle" is underway. Kyushu Olle offers various courses. For example, the Minamishimabara Course, which starts from Kuchinotsu Port, is an approximately 10.5 km trail that takes about 3 to 4 hours to walk. Visitors can enjoy beautiful rural scenery and stunning coastlines designated as a Geopark.
The Shimabara Course is a "volcano-themed" trail where you can walk while viewing Heisei Shinzan, Japan's newest mountain. The course covers approximately 10.5 km and takes about 3.5 to 4 hours.
The Matsuura-Fukushima Course allows visitors to experience the charm of nature, history, and culture, featuring highlights such as the Doya Rice Terraces (Doya Tanada), which was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields. This course covers approximately 10.5 km and takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Activity No. 8: Fishing
Nagasaki Prefecture boasts the second-longest coastline in Japan and is home to numerous fishing spots.
Among them, the remote island city of Goto is known as the 'Holy Ground of Fishing.' Throughout the year, you can catch a wide variety of fish, including Yellowtail Amberjack (Hiramasa), Sea Bream, Squid, and Sea Bass.
Goto City has many recreational fishing boats and tackle shops catering to tourists. The official Goto City website includes information on how to book boat fishing trips, so be sure to check it out.
Among them, the remote island city of Goto is known as the 'Holy Ground of Fishing.' Throughout the year, you can catch a wide variety of fish, including Yellowtail Amberjack (Hiramasa), Sea Bream, Squid, and Sea Bass.
Goto City has many recreational fishing boats and tackle shops catering to tourists. The official Goto City website includes information on how to book boat fishing trips, so be sure to check it out.
Activity No. 9: Agriculture and Fishery Experience
In addition, Nagasaki, blessed with rich nature, offers a variety of agricultural and fishery experience activities. For example, in Unzen, there are programs available where you can visit organic produce stands and fish markets, and then cook dishes using local ingredients.
Additionally, the website 'Rural Nagasaki,' which promotes green tourism in the region, introduces various farming and fishing experiences that families can enjoy together. (Please note that reservations are generally accepted by phone only.)
From making kamaboko (fish cakes) to rice harvesting and fruit picking, there is a wide range of activities available. If you are interested, please be sure to check it out.
Additionally, the website 'Rural Nagasaki,' which promotes green tourism in the region, introduces various farming and fishing experiences that families can enjoy together. (Please note that reservations are generally accepted by phone only.)
From making kamaboko (fish cakes) to rice harvesting and fruit picking, there is a wide range of activities available. If you are interested, please be sure to check it out.