Nagasaki Day Trip from Fukuoka: 1 Day Itinerary

Arriving in Nagasaki, I instantly felt a strong connection to the city. Beyond its tragic history as the second city struck by an atomic bomb, Nagasaki has a unique blend of East-meets-West charm. Walking its streets, it felt as though time had stopped. It was nostalgic. If you’re passionate about history or simply curious about this city’s rich past, a visit to Nagasaki is a must. Read on to learn about how you can do a Nagasaki day trip from Fukuoka.

Note: This post doesn’t cover Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park that recreates the Netherlands with life-sized replicas of historic Dutch buildings. Since I only had one day in Nagasaki, I didn’t have time to visit. However, if you’re interested in exploring this unique attraction, plenty of tours are available online, or you can plan a DIY trip.

How to get to Nagasaki from Fukuoka

The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (North Kyushu 3 day/5 day Pass) proved to be a travel gem during my trip to Kyushu. With it, I was able to take the limited express train from Fukuoka to Nagasaki. This pass offers not only convenience but also cost-effectiveness as it provides unlimited travel on JR trains in Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, and Saga.

*Currently priced at 12,000 yen for a 3-day pass and 15,000 yen for a 5-day pass

Nagasaki Station Tourism Office

There’s nowhere better to begin your journey in Nagasaki than Nagasaki Station Tourism Office. Here, you’ll find helpful staff to guide you explore the city. Plus, it’s conveniently located near coin lockers, allowing tourists to secure their belongings if they are just doing a day trip.

How to get around Nagasaki

I instantly fell in love with the city’s tram system! I did not have a hard time navigating the city because their system was very straightforward. The one-day Nagasaki tram pass (JPY 500) I bought in the station also has a city map which shows all the tram stops in Nagasaki. All tourist attractions in the city can be easily accessed using the tram, so the pass was really worth it!

Nagasaki’s Historical Attractions

Site of the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan

My first destination was the Site of the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan. It is located on Nishizaka Hill, which is only 5 minutes walk from Nagasaki Station. 

Nagasaki was chosen as the first place in Japan where people would be executed for Christianity. It was said that it was chosen because there were many churches and Christians in Nagasaki at that time. The 26 believers, including Japanese, Italian and Spanish, were forced to walk from Kyoto to Nagasaki and was crucified at Nishizaka Hill. The distance between these two cities is immense! I could not imagine what they have gone through.

Nagasaki Suwa Shrine

After 30 minutes, I went back to Nagasaki eki mae tram station and took tram #3 to Suwa Shrine. In 10 minutes, I arrived at Suwajinja mae tram stop. Approached up a long flight of more than 250 stairs, I was greeted by the lovely Suwa Shrine. It was easily one of the best Shinto shrines I have visited in Japan. If you ever find yourself in Nagasaki, do not miss to see it!

At this point, I was already exhausted because summer in Japan is like summer in the Philippines. It was hot, humid, stifling and suffocating. Although not at the same level as in the PH, I still had to make a few stops just to drinks lots of Pokari sweat and to paypay (tagalog term meaning to fan or to wave as to produce wind). 

Sofukuji Temple

After 30 minutes, I decided to proceed to my third destination, Sofukuji Temple. To get to the temple, take the  tram lines number 1 and 3 to Shokakuji-shita tram station, the last stop. At the station, I was greeted with a Home along the Riles scene. If you are a 90s kid like me, who grew up watching Philippine comedy series, you know what I am talking about. Haha.

Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge)

I did not spend a lot of time in Sofukuji because it is a relatively small temple complex and it won’t take any more than 30-45 minutes to see them all. I went back to Shokakuji-shita tram station and took a tram going to Nigiwaibashi tram station on the tram lines number 4 and 5. My 4th destination was the Meganebashi (more common known to foreign travellers as spectacles bridge), the most beautiful of several stone bridges that cross the Nakajima River in Central Nagasaki. 

During the period of national isolation under the Tokugawa Shogunate, only Nagasaki was allowed to maintain business relations with foreign merchants. The Nakajima River had a very significant role in connecting the Port of Nagasaki to the rest of the city.

Japan and the World War II

Japan’s involvement in World War II, driven by ambitious leaders seeking dominance in Asia and the Pacific for economic security, ultimately impacted my home country, the Philippines. The war inflicted colossal loss and widespread destruction, with an estimated one million Filipinos perishing. As I approached the areas destroyed by the atomic bomb, the weight of this history weighed heavily on me. The prospect of confronting these facts in Nagasaki left me uncertain about the emotions it would evoke.

Hypocenter of the Atomic Bombing

At around 2:00 PM, I arrived at my 5th destination, the Hypocenter of the Atomic Bombing. Standing at the spot where the second atomic bomb dropped still sends chills down my spine. In the area near the hypocenter, the heat instantly carbonised human bodies and vaporised their internal fluids. In the distance of 1-2 kilometers from the hypocenter, the burns produced by the bombing were fatal.

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

My sixth stop led me to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, the very reason behind my Nagasaki trip. This site is a significant landmark of dark tourism (what is dark tourism?), drawing visitors to reflect on the harrowing events of August 9, 1945. Inside, it vividly portrayed the aftermath of the atomic bombing. However, I found myself somewhat disappointed as it didn’t delve into the reasons behind the tragic event. Here, I’ve captured some photographs from my visit, though I offer my apologies in advance if you find them disturbing.

Satoko Tsutsumi (14 years old at the time of the bombing) kept this as a memento. She was exposed to the atomic bomb explosion in Iwakawa-machi, about 700 meters from the hypocenter. The fires after the bombing charred the rice in the lunchbox. The bottom of the smaller box bears Satoko’s name and class number.

I watched museum videos and discovered Nagasaki wasn’t the initial target for the second atomic bomb. Kokura, an ancient town in Kitakyushu, was the primary target due to its arsenal. Bockscar circled Kokura but thick haze and smoke concealed it, sparing the city from the deadly bombing.

Towards the exit of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, this photo caught my attention. I recognized it so fast because I have seen it in the internet and I also saw the movie ‘Grave of the Fireflies‘ by Hayao Miyazaki. Joe O’Donnell, a U.S. Marine photographer took this photo.

Nagasaki Peace Park

My tour ended at Nagasaki Peace Park, a place devoted to world peace and the remembrance of the atomic bombing. As I sat on a bench, reflecting on my visit to the museum, a difficult question weighed on my mind: Did Japan deserve the atomic bomb for the suffering it caused in the Philippines? I struggled with the thought, conflicted between the idea of justice and the tragic loss of innocent lives. In war, there are no true winners—only profound loss on all sides. One thing was clear to me: in war, there are no victors.

Is One Day Enough for Nagasaki?

My Nagasaki day trip left me with mixed feelings. Exploring the city’s rich history was enlightening, but the limited time meant missing out on experiences like the Mt. Inasa observation deck, famed for its top-tier night views. A day trip scratches the surface, but to delve deeper into Nagasaki, I suggest a 2-day stay.