Top 5 Photogenic Scenic Spots of Nagasaki | Recommended Instagrammable Natural Scenery

Nagasaki Prefecture is a treasure trove of photogenic scenery—sea, mountains, islands, and night views. Picture-worthy scenery spreads wherever you cut it out. This time we introduce five spectacular spots that make you want to press the "save button."

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01 | Inasayama Observatory | Have One of the World's Three Great Night Views All to Yourself

Inasayama, overlooking central Nagasaki City, is a place certified as one of the world's three great night views. The sight of grains of light strung along the mountain slope melting into the bay is like scattered jewels.

• Best time & season: Sunset to nighttime. Winter, when the air is clear, is especially recommended.
• Shooting angle: Shooting wide-angle through the observatory fence creates depth and makes the spread of light stand out. A tripod is essential!
• Access: About 5 minutes by ropeway from in front of Nagasaki Station.

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02 | Sunset at Ose | The Burning Sky of Saikai City

The evening view seen from Ose in Saikai City makes an overwhelming shot where island silhouettes and a bright red sky overlap. The "water mirror" of the sunset reflecting on the calm inland sea is wonderfully fantastical.

• Best time & season: 5 to 6 p.m. On days with thin clouds it becomes dramatic. Autumn to winter has vivid colors.
• Shooting angle: Shooting from a low position on the rocks captures more of the water's reflection.
• Access: About 15 minutes by taxi from "Okusa Station" on the JR Omura Line.

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03 | Kujukushima | A Spectacular View Where Blue and Green Blend

Kujukushima in Sasebo City is one of Japan's foremost multi-island seascapes, with 208 islands large and small strung together. The sight of green islands floating on an emerald-green sea is like a painting.

• Best time & season: The soft-light hours of the morning. May for fresh greenery and November for autumn foliage are especially recommended.
• Shooting angle: Looking down from Ishidake Observatory lets you capture a bird's-eye shot conveying the density of the islands.
• Access: About 25 minutes by bus from JR Sasebo Station, get off at "Tenbodai-iriguchi."

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04 | Unzen Jigoku | A Fantastical World of White Smoke

Unzen Jigoku, spreading in the Unzen Onsen area, is a shooting spot full of otherworldly atmosphere where white smoke billows up from the ground. The moment it overlaps with morning mist, it's as if you've wandered into a world of myth.

• Best time & season: Early morning, 6 to 8 a.m. From the low-temperature winter to spring, the smoke rises thickly, creating a fantastical atmosphere.
• Shooting angle: Capturing the smoke backlit scatters the light for a mystical shot. Including a person gives a sense of scale.
• Access: About 40 minutes by bus from "Shimabara Station" on the Shimabara Railway, get off at "Unzen."

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05 | Gunkanjima (Hashima) | The Overwhelming Worldview of Ruins and Sea

Gunkanjima, also registered as a World Heritage site, is a sacred site for ruin photography. The contrast of crashing waves and decayed concrete produces a one-of-a-kind shot you absolutely can't take elsewhere.

• Best time & season: A clear morning. The contrast with the blue sky is at its most photogenic.
• Shooting angle: For the whole image of the island, aiming wide-angle from the landing boat is the standard. After landing, a "framing composition" using the ruined window frames as a frame is ideal.
• Access: About 40 minutes by landing cruise from Nagasaki Port (advance reservation required).

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The spectacular scenery produced by Nagasaki's nature and history offers new discoveries every time you visit. Be sure to grab your camera and go searching for a shot all your own!

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