Nagasaki Prefecture (長崎県)

Unzen Jigoku ('Unzen Hell') hot steam area in Mount Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture


Nagasaki Prefecture (長崎県) is a prefecture of Japan on the northwestern part of Kyushu. Covering 4,101.48 sq km, the prefecture includes mainland Kyushu as well as off shore islands such as Tsushima and Iki. Nagasaki Prefecture has a population of 1.4 million people (2011 estimate). It is bordered by Saga Prefecture to the east. The capital of Nagasaki Prefecture is the city of Nagasaki.

Nagasaki Prefecture was created during the Meiji Restoration of 1871, when the feudal province Hizen was replaced by it. Also added were the island provinces of Tsushima and Iki.

Shimabara Castle, Nagasaki Prefecture


Due to its location, Nagasaki Prefecture has had contact with the "outside world" for centuries, particularly with China and Korea, and acted as the window for Japan to the rest of the world. It was through here that Portuguese Catholic missionaries entered Japan and started their missionary efforts in the 16th century.

Xenophobic sentiments during the Tokugawa era led to Sakoku, a policy of national isolation. During this period, Japanese foreign trade was limited to Chinese and Dutch traders. Christianity was forbidden, and many Christians - particularly Catholics - were forced to hold their faith in secret. The impact of Chinese and Catholic influences remains in Nagasaki today, in the form of its thriving Chinatown and Catholic churches.

Lantern Festival in Nagasaki

Planning your trip to Nagasaki Prefecture

You can fly to Nagasaki from most cities in Japan, as well as from Shanghai and Seoul. If going by train, you can take the Shinkansen bullet trin from Tokyo to the Hakata Station in Fukuoka, and from there change to the limited express service to Nagasaki.

Former Mitsubishi Second Dock House in Glover Garden, Nagasaki

Cities of Nagasaki Prefecture

Tourist Attractions of Nagasaki Prefecture

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