In a nutshellNagasaki managed to transform its sad legacy into a message of hope and peace. As we retrace the moments of the tragedy that hit this city through an emotionally intense tour of the places where time seems to have stood still, we also visit the Urakami Catholic church and the modern Megami bridge.

Main stops

Sannō Jinja shrine door, symbol of the nuclear tragedy
Atomic Bomb Museum
Peace Park and Ground Zero
Shopping
Urakami Catholic church
Modern Megami bridge

The programme

We leave the port behind us headed to the first stop on our tour, the Atomic Bomb Museum. Before we arrive there, we visit the Sannō Jinja shrine door, one of the symbols of the tragedy that hit the city on August 9th, 1945. It is located approximately 800 metres from where the bomb exploded yet one of the two supporting columns remained intact, almost as a sign of hope to the survivors.
Once at the museum, we quietly move among the artefacts collected as a testimony of the infamous day, including a clock that stopped at 11:02 am, the time of the catastrophe. The museum aims at being an ode to peace while at the same time serving as a warning to all humanity.
We continue with Peace Park and Ground Zero, where a black monolith marks the hypo-centre. Our gaze rests on the bronze Peace Statue that looks as it is referring to the threat coming from the sky as well as to a desire for peace. The Fountain of Peace was built in front of the sculpture in 1969. The flowing water symbolizes life that does not stop and the rebirth of the city. As we stroll around the park, we find many other sculptures and plaques that have been donated to the city from other countries all over the world.
The atmosphere changes as we move on to a nearby shop for a spot of shopping to buy some souvenirs to take home.
We return to the coach and head to the Urakami Catholic church, which was erected in 1914 and rebuilt in 1959 after the devastation caused by the atomic bomb. It is still considered the most beautiful Romanesque style church in the orient and was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1981.
Before returning to the ship, we stop at the Megami bridge, one of the city’s architectural symbols built in 2005, to take some photos and indulge in some shopping.
We board our coach and, after a short journey, we are back at the port.

Good to know

This excursion is not recommended for guests with limited mobility.