The Beauty of Nagasaki's Nightscape

Mountains rise up surrounding Nagasaki Port, also known as the Crane Port, and its hillside areas, which rise up sharply from the coastline, create a rich environment for the viewing of some dynamic nightscapes.
The most typical of these is the great panorama to be seen from Mt. Inasa, which is ranked as one of the best three night views in Japan. The observation deck at the top of the mountain is the best way to take in the vast nightscape of Nagasaki. At a height of 333m and its 360-degree view, visitors can see all the lights and landmarks of Nagasaki. Nagasaki also features Mt. Nabekanmuri on the other side of the bay, Glover Garden, the Glover Sky Road, as well as the Tateyama area and Kazagashira Park. Although these may offer limited views when compared to Mt. Inasa, they still showcase some of the amazing attributes of Nagasaki's nightscape.

So what are these attributes? Put simply, they could be described as like ""seeing the night sky reflected in a mirror."" The countless, sporadic lights from the houses on the hillsides and the lights from the roads appear to blend into clusters of stars and shapes and constellations begin to form among them. Similar nightscapes can be seen in Kobe (the view of Higashi Nada ward from Rokko Island), but given the fact that you can see this sort of view from almost anywhere in the city, it can be said that Nagasaki has no equal to anywhere in Japan.

These nightscapes are processed by our sight as both light and dark, but in Nagasaki's case it is the darkness that really shines. When viewing the city at night from Mt. Inasa, you will begin to notice the darkness form shapes such as dragons, birds, butterflies, and hearts. Precisely because of this irregular, abstract nightscape, your imagination and inspiration will start to run wild. If you let your imagination wander even further, the butterfly will start to seem like ""Madam Butter fly"" and the dragon and horse will recall the life of Sakamoto Ryoma.

When you first look at the lights, they will merely impress you, but after ten minutes or so you will begin to see shapes. Twenty minutes later one may start to feel the culture, history, and foreign influence of Nagasaki. this nightscape is not only the beauty of the night sky but is a magical mirror that can even unlock changes in our hearts, and it is this that is more than likely Nagasaki's greatest allure.

The panoramic night view from Mt. Inasa is known as the “10 million dollar view”, and along with the view from Mt. Hakodate (in Hakodate, Hokkaido) and Mt. Maya Kikuseidai (in Kobe) is counted among the top three night views in Japan.

Thanks to the surrounding mountains, visitors can enjoy incredible panoramic night views of Nagasaki’s city and harbour.

Take a close look at the illuminated architecture and tourist sites of Nagasaki, forming the city’s famous night view. Let us introduce you to some of the major sites.

Take a close look at the illuminated architecture and tourist sites of Nagasaki, forming the city’s famous night view. Let us introduce you to some of the major sites.