view from the top of Mt. Nabekanmuri |
From Hotel Belleview Dejima, I headed out for a late morning hike up Mt. Nabekanmuri. With the route passing beautiful attractions such as Dejima Omotemon Footbridge and Nagasaki Seaside park, I stopped often to bask in the scenery of colorful flowers and the water.
Following Google map (link here), the 2.2 KM route cut through neighborhoods and a small forested section. A challenging surprise awaits near the base of the mountain, a steep set of stairs! Though an elevator is available, I opted to walk all the way. I needed the workout anyway. From here, I took frequent breaks to catch my breath. Alternatively, one can take a car or taxi to the parking lot and walk 5 minutes to the top which makes this mountain accessible to everyone.
It was past 11:00 AM when I reached the peak, quite late in the morning. Despite the heat, the wind was refreshing, one of the things I love about spring! From here, I could see an amazing view of the water, port and nearby mountains. I stayed for a long time until it got very hot.
With plenty of time, I headed to Glover Garden, entering from Gate 2 which is closer to Mt. Nabekanmuri. An outdoor museum featuring a beautiful garden, scenic views of the sea and Western-style houses of Nagasaki's early foreign residents, it's one of the city's main attractions. (Entrance Fee : 620 Yen for adults. Visit Glover Garden website for more info on rates and opening hours). For snacks, I went to the tea house and tried their Castella cake and Dutch coffee. I stayed for a while here, enjoying the view from the window.
Dutch iced coffee and Castella cake served at Glover Garden's tea house. |
From Glover Garden, I walked to Oura cathedral. There's entrance fee to be paid to get inside so I just skipped it. A few blocks out, I saw a more interesting stop for a foodie like me - Nagasaki Minami Yamate Pudding! It's a small shop selling puddings that come in different flavors.
Turkish rice - one of Nagasaki's infamous dishes. The origin of its name is not known and you can read up several theories about it online. |
Hiking Information
Google map link to Mt. Nabekanmuri Park here.
There are no fees to be paid during your hike.
Nagasaki can be reached by train (Travel time : 1.5-2 hours) from Hakata station in Fukuoka. For train schedules, you can check with Google Maps.
Date of Hike : April 2023, Spring
Helpful Sites when Planning your Nagasaki trip