24 Hours in Nagasaki

A day spent in this Japanese city involves peace monuments, lush gardens, and seaside cafes.

Detail of a sculpture of a woman and doves in Peace Park, Nagasaki. Sandra Foyt/Shutterstock

Nagasaki, Japan, offers so much more than its World War II history. Surrounded by the mountainous, volcanic splendor of the southern island of Kyushu, this longtime port city of about 400,000 is strung along sparkling seas. With tucked-away beaches, swaying palms, bustling harbors, and very mysterious islands, there is much to discover, enjoy, and explore.

The layers of the past, here, are multiple. Founded by the Portuguese in 1571, the city remained open to international trade when most of the country was closed. The European and Christian influence remains strong. Puccini set “Madama Butterfly” here, and just offshore, you can discover the home of a James Bond villain. And, of course, there’s a Peace Park and plenty of the past to unpack with the Pacific War. One day isn’t a lot to experience everything, but here’s our guide to getting the most out of Nagasaki in just 24 hours.

Arrival

You won’t fly into many places like Nagasaki Airport (NGS), the first major maritime airport on earth. Opened in 1975, it was a monumental project to construct it in Omura Bay. Builders flattened the hills on Mishima Island and supplemented it with reclaimed land. They put up the Mishima Ohashi Bridge, which stretches more than a half-mile, connecting NGS with the mainland.