Silversea Luxury Cruises To NAGASAKI

Discover how the port city and people of Nagasaki overcame and memorialised their World War II destruction during this unforgettable sightseeing excursion to Peace Memorial Park.

Peace Memorial Park

Depart the pier for the brief drive to Peace Memorial Park. On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki became the second city to suffer a nuclear attack. Peace Memorial Park is home to a beautiful memorial fountain, and statues donated from countries around the world leading to the 30-foot-high (9.7-metre-high) Statue of Peace. In the centre of the park is a flame which is to be kept burning until there are no more nuclear weapons on earth.

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Ground Zero

Next, proceed on foot to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. The museum chronicles the events leading up to the bombing, and several well-designed exhibits against nuclear proliferation. It also offers a look at what Nagasaki was like just before the explosion, photographs taken in the city immediately after the atomic blast and artefacts that survived the explosion. A visit is also made to the Atomic Bomb Hypocentre, or 'Ground Zero'. A monument marks the centre of the atomic blast that levelled the city.

Urakami Cathedral and Torii Gate

Following your visit, re-board the coach for the brief drive back to the pier. En route, pass by the Urakami Cathedral, the magnificent church rebuilt after collapsing from the force of the atomic bomb, and the Torii Gate, a leg of which was blown away by the atomic bomb.

Your tour begins with a scenic drive to Inasayama Natural Park, located on Inasayama Hill.

Inasayama Natural Park

This is a famous spot for beautiful sunsets and night views. If weather permits, enjoy a view of Unzen, Amakusa and Gotoh Islands. You will enjoy a ride on the popular monorail up the hillside. The car will take you to the upper level of Mount Inasa, from where you will walk up to the observatory that sits atop the mountain. From the peak, you will have an almost 360-degree aerial view of the city and be able to see the picturesque surroundings that change season to season.

Nagasaki Peace Park

Continue to the Nagasaki Peace Park, dedicated to World Peace. The park covers 8 acres and contains a large fountain and different statues and sculptures donated in the name of peace from various countries and artists around the world. The main statue is 30 feet tall and was commissioned by the city of Nagasaki. It depicts a man with one arm raised to the sky to indicate the threat of nuclear destruction and the other arm held horizontally in a gesture of peace. The man's eyelids are closed in anguished prayer for those who perished in the bombing.

Uragami Cathedral

Next, continue your drive and see Uragami Cathedral, which was the largest cathedral in the East until it was destroyed by the atomic bomb blast. View Dejima, once an artificial island in the port of Nagasaki, completed in 1636, to house Japan's Portuguese residents. After the Portuguese were exiled by the Edo Shogunate, the Dutch Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie was moved to this Island in 1641 in an attempt to to take the Dutch trade away from the Hirado Clan. Today, Dejima is no longer an island, as the surrounding area has been reclaimed during the 20th century. However, a number of Dejima's historical structures remain or are being reconstructed in the area.

Following your visit, commence the approximate 20-minute drive back to the pier

Marvel at the scenic beauty and storied history of western Japan during this scenic, full-day excursion to the Shimabara Peninsula, with a visit to the Fugen Volcano.

Shimabara Peninsula and Castle Museum

Depart the pier for the approximate two-hour drive east of Nagasaki and past picturesque Ariake Bay en route to the Shimabara Peninsula. Upon arrival, a visit is made to the early-17th century Shimabara Castle, the traditional centre of Shimabara City. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of the renovated castle, which now serves as a museum of Christian history. View displays of old swords, armour and other items from the Edo period, along with a commemoration to the 1990 eruption of Mt. Unzen.

Shimabara Town and Samurai House

Following your tour of the castle, embark on a walking tour of Shimabara. A manmade waterway built in the middle of this old town once provided fresh water for the local residents. Today, this waterway is home to many beautiful Japanese carp. Samurai warriors once lived within and outside the castle grounds. During your stroll through Shimabara, a visit is made to a Samurai house.

Unzen Jigoku Hot Spring

After having lunch at local restaurant, your stop is Unzen Jigoku Hot Spring; a hot spring resort town near the peak of Mount Unzen. The resort is surrounded on several sides by hot spring fields. Also known as hells (jigoku), these barren rocky areas are littered with billowing steam vents and gushing hot springs from which milky, acidic and sulfurous water bubbles straight up out of the ground. The hells were once used to execute Christian rebels after the failed Shimabara Rebellion, but today its spring water has the more pleasant task of warming up holidaymakers in the ryokan baths around town.

Obama Hot Spring 105 (Foot Bath)

Your last stop is Obama Hot Spring 105 foot bath. Obama is set against a backdrop of the magnificent Mt.Unzen facing the deep-blue Tachibana Bay. From the open-air hot spring, you can view the amazing sunset in the west. At 105 meters in length, this is the longest foot bath in Japan. It is equipped with steaming pots for cooking local seafood and vegetables over the natural steam from the hot springs.

The coach then begins the nearly 1.5-hour drive back to the pier and your awaiting ship.

Explore Nagasaki at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver and English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Nagasaki at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver and English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Nagasaki at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver and English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Nagasaki at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver and English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Discover why Nagasaki was known as Japan's 'Gateway to the West' during a scenic sightseeing excursion through this renowned port city.

Peace Memorial Park

Depart the pier for the brief drive to Peace Memorial Park. On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki became the second city to suffer a nuclear attack. Peace Memorial Park is home to a beautiful memorial fountain, and statues donated from countries around the world leading to the 30-foot-high (9.7-metre-high) Statue of Peace. In the centre of the park is a flame which is to be kept burning until there are no more nuclear weapons on earth.

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Ground Zero

Next, proceed on foot to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. The museum chronicles the events leading up to the bombing, and several well-designed exhibits against nuclear proliferation. It also offers a look at what Nagasaki was like just before the explosion, photographs taken in the city immediately after the atomic blast and artefacts that survived the explosion. A visit is also made to the Atomic Bomb Hypocentre, or 'Ground Zero'. A monument marks the centre of the atomic blast that levelled the city.

Urakami Cathedral and Torii Gate

Your drive continues past the Urakami Cathedral, the magnificent church rebuilt after collapsing from the force of the atomic bomb, and through the Torii Gate, a leg of which was blown away by the atomic bomb.

Dejima

After having lunch, you will visit at Dejima Island; a Dutch outpost that served as Japan's only contact point with the Western world for over 200 years. Dejima Museum of History portrays the history of Dejima, the manner of daily life for the Dutch who lived there, and how the trading system worked between Japan and the Netherlands.

Oura Catholic Church and Glover Garden

Afterwards, drive to the Oura Catholic Church. Walk up the hill for a visit to the Oura Catholic Church. The oldest wooden Gothic church in Japan, it features lovely stained-glass windows. Your last stop is at the adjacent Glover Garden, situated on a picturesque hillside looking over Nagasaki Port, you will find a number of late 19th and early 20th century Western-style buildings gathered together.

Following your visit, commence the brief drive back to the pier.