Travel back in time on this walking and tram-based tour. Start at Dejima, the old Dutch trading post, then hop on Nagasaki’s charming trams to reach Peace Park. Walk through local areas, visit small shrines, and sample Nagasaki snacks along the way.
From Dejima, experience one of Nagasaki’s most charming features—its historic tram network. These vintage trams have been serving the city for more than a century, and riding them is a nostalgic experience in itself. As you hop aboard, relax and watch the city glide past your window: bustling shopping streets, traditional wooden houses, and glimpses of Nagasaki’s scenic hillsides. The tram ride is not only practical but also part of the adventure, connecting different eras of the city as smoothly as it connects its areas.
Your tram journey will bring you to Peace Park, a deeply moving site dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing of 1945. Here, amid the quiet greenery and solemn monuments, learn about Nagasaki’s resilience and its role as a global voice for peace. The statues donated by countries around the world stand as symbols of solidarity, while the Fountain of Peace offers a tranquil space for reflection. This stop provides a powerful contrast to the bustling streets and vibrant energy of the city, reminding visitors of Nagasaki’s remarkable journey of recovery and renewal.
After this thoughtful visit, the tour shifts focus back to everyday life as you continue on foot through local areas. Walking through these quieter backstreets reveals a side of Nagasaki often missed by visitors rushing between famous landmarks. Small shrines tucked between houses, stone steps leading up to hillside views, and traditional shops run by families for generations all tell their own stories. Your guide will point out unique details, such as guardian statues, lanterns, and seasonal decorations that add charm and character to the streets.
No exploration of Nagasaki would be complete without sampling its delicious local cuisine. Along the way, pause to try a variety of Nagasaki snacks and street food favourites. Perhaps taste a slice of the city’s beloved castella cake, a soft sponge treat with Portuguese origins, or savoury champon noodles, a hearty dish invented in Nagasaki that combines seafood, vegetables, and pork in a rich broth. You may also try kakuni manju, a fluffy bun stuffed with braised pork belly that melts in your mouth. Each bite connects you to the city’s unique blend of cultural influences, from East Asia to Europe.
By the end of the tour, experience Nagasaki through multiple lenses: as a historic port of international exchange, as a city of resilience and peace, and as a lively community full of flavour and tradition. Travelling on foot and by tram offers a rhythm that allows you to absorb the atmosphere at just the right pace—slow enough to notice the hidden corners, yet dynamic enough to cover the city’s highlights.
