Not each traveler to Japan finally ends up evaluating Fukuoka and Nagasaki, though you’ll most likely find yourself doing so when you go to Kyushu. These are the 2 largest cities on Japan’s southernmost foremost island, and whereas I like to recommend visiting each if doable, you merely may not have time to take action.
Aside from their significance, these two cities couldn’t be extra totally different. Each are coastal, however whereas Fukuoka sits behind a protracted stretch of golden seashores, Nagasaki sprawls over the mountains surrounding a picturesque harbor. Nagasaki, famously, was leveled 77 years in the past; Fukuoka doesn’t bear any scars of that magnitude.
Even when you don’t find yourself having the ability to see each of Kyushu’s most vital cities, I hope this submit will encourage you to maintain each in your bucket record for so long as it takes. They’re positively definitely worth the wait!
How I Received to Know Fukuoka and Nagasaki
I visited each Fukuoka and Nagasaki on my first Kyushu journey in 2017. Famously, I arrived to the island throughout considered one of its newest cherry blossom seasons ever, however regardless of this I drastically loved each of its largest cities. I visited each (in addition to your complete remainder of Kyushu) once more in early autumn 2019, a visit the place each made much more sense—I’d say I barely most popular Nagasaki at that time.
After having lastly seen sakura in Fukuoka in 2021, nonetheless, my rankings evened again out. Yet one more “flip” occurred in early 2024, after I visited the assorted islands off the coast of Nagasaki prefecture, together with Iki, Tsushima and the Goto Islands; I’ve little doubt that my late 2026 journey to the Fukuoka space would possibly but once more re-ignite the competitors. As I’ve written about elsewhere on this weblog, that is considered one of my favourite locations to go off the crushed path in Japan!
Nagasaki
Methods to Examine Nagasaki and Fukuoka
Issues to do
In Fukuoka, I normally like to begin in temple-filled Hakata Gion, stopping on the ruins of Fukuoka Citadel en path to Atago Shrine, the place I take pleasure in a surprising panorama of town (specifically, Fukuoka Tower). In Nagasaki, in the meantime, the vacationer path is south-north. After a morning on the picturesque Oura Cathedral and scenic Glover Backyard, I move the Dejima historic districts en path to Nagasaki Peace Park.
Geography
That is one space the place it’s simpler for me to decide on a winner between Nagasaki vs Fukuoka. Whereas I take pleasure in Fukuoka’s nice coastal vibe and the golden sands of Momochi Seaside Park, the truth is that the hills rising round Nagasaki Harbor merely represent a extra satisfying cityscape. That is particularly the case from the vantage level of Mt. Inasa, which boasts considered one of Japan’s most well-known evening views.
Native eats
Nagasaki is residence to Shinchi Chinatown, considered one of Japan’s largest and most well-known Chinatowns. The chanpon noodles listed below are most likely town’s most well-known meals, though the streets close to Oura Church additionally promote sweets made with native biwa, or loquats. In Fukuoka, in the meantime, two meals dominate. Broadly-speaking, Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen, made with wealthy pork broth. A particular space to search out superior Fukuoka meals are the yatai meals stalls on Nakasu island.
Lodging
Whether or not you select Nagasaki or Fukuoka, each cities are filled with inexpensive, high-quality resorts. What I imply after I say this are “enterprise” resorts: Clear, environment friendly rooms situated near public transport at very aggressive charges. What might be tougher, significantly in Nagasaki, is discovering outright luxurious; in Fukuoka, there additionally aren’t terribly many ryokan (though, to be honest, Fukuoka isn’t essentially a metropolis identified for them).
Day journeys
Fukuoka has seashores, however if you need a really superior swim you need to head farther west, particularly to Itoshima. In the event you’re on the hunt for a extra cultural Fukuoka day journey, in the meantime, Karatsu Citadel, the Nanzoin reclining Buddha or Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine is likely to be extra your jam. Many vacationers in Nagasaki, in the meantime, go to Dutch-kitsch Huis Ten Bosch theme park, though I personally choose tranquil Yutoku Inari Shrine, the enchanting Shimabara peninsula or the Yayoi-era Yoshinogari web site.
TIP: Have greater than a day to play with? Spend a number of days on any of the islands that sit off the coast of Nagasaki prefecture, together with Ikishima, Tsushima and the Goto islands.
Fukuoka
Different Locations in Kyushu
Kyushu is, on some days, my favourite island in Japan. Fukuoka and Nagasaki, though I really like them each, are solely the start of Kyushu. Listed below are a few of my different favourite locations:
- Kumamoto: House to Kyushu’s most well-known fort and the beautiful Mt. Aso caldera, this central prefecture has all of it.
- Oita: Though this prefecture’s scorching springs hub of Beppu is legendary amongst Japanese vacationers, many Westerners principally don’t understand it exists.
- Miyazaki: Miyazaki metropolis itself leaves one thing to be desired, however beautiful day journeys like scenic Takachiho Gorge and the prefecture’s dramatic coast (from Nobeoka all the best way all the way down to Udo Shrine in Nichinan) make the prefecture greater than value visiting.
- Kagoshima: If views of Kagoshima metropolis with Sakurajima volcano rising above it don’t do it for you, a day journey to the Satsuma Peninsula or a weekend tour to Yakushima island ought to do the trick.
The place in Kyushu will you prioritize when you’ve handled the Fukuoka vs Nagasaki debate? Be certain that to let me know in a remark!
Different FAQ About Nagasaki and Fukuoka
Does Fukuoka have an airport?
Fukuoka’s airport is the fourth-busiest in Japan, after Tokyo’s two airports and Osaka-Kansai. Notably, it’s just some kilometers from downtown Fukuoka, which interprets to a transit time of lower than quarter-hour. In the event you don’t trip the Shinkansen to Hakata station, don’t really feel intimidated about arriving at Fukuoka’s handy airport.
Is Fukuoka, Japan value visiting?
Fukuoka is totally value visiting! Some vacationers merely need to take pleasure in meals on the yatai meals stalls, whereas others need to hit the seashore, discover the ruins of Fukuoka Citadel or go to town’s many shrines. Even when you don’t come to kick off a extra prolific Kyushu journey, Fukuoka deserves at the least a number of days of your time in Japan.
Is Nagasaki nonetheless radioactive?
Ranges of radiation in Nagasaki are akin to background ranges of radiation principally wherever else on earth. Moreover, other than numerous peace memorials, town bears just about no bodily scars of what happened right here in August 1945, even when there are definitely some open emotional wounds.
The Backside Line
I hope I’ve helped you determine whether or not Fukuoka or Nagasaki is your greatest guess, even when your resolution is simply to go to each. The truth is that every of those cities has quite a lot of charms, whether or not you go down numerous historic rabbit holes in Nagasaki, or uncover Fukuoka past its well-known sprawl. There’s additionally the query of day journeys, specifically Karatsu Citadel and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine close to Fukuoka and Yutoku Inari Shrine and Shimabara close to Nagasaki. Right here’s to hoping you finally get to Fukuoka and Nagasaki, to not point out that you simply discover Kyushu on a deeper degree as effectively. You’ll be able to even rent me to plan your journey for a really optimized Japan journey!