Nagasaki Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 👥 Population |
405,000 |
| 🏙️ City |
Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
120 Mbps (Fiber common, reliable 5G coverage) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
1 USD ≈ 150 JPY, 1 EUR ≈ 162 JPY. Major banks: Shinsei, Japan Post Bank |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Safe and highly drinkable |
| 🔌 Power |
100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Ubigi (eSIM), Sakura Mobile, or Mobal (English support) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Wise, Revolut, Sony Bank (English friendly) |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
HafH Network (Headquartered here), Airbnb, Monthly Mansions |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Moderate; Paypay and Suica widely accepted, but keep cash for small temples and ramen shops |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
HafH Nagasaki SAI (approx. ¥80,000/month), Airbnb Nagasaki City |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Casa Blanca Guesthouse (approx. ¥3,500/night), Route Coffee & Hostel |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Motomachi / Glover Garden area for history and views |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Hamanomachi for walking access to cafes, shopping, and coworking |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
CO-DEJIMA (Dejima-machi) - ¥1,500/day, high-speed Wi-Fi and startup community |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Cafe & Bar Uzumibi (Near Meganebashi) - Quiet atmosphere, power outlets available |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Startup Nagasaki Meetups at CO-DEJIMA |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Nagasaki International Association events at Dejima Wharf |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
JapanTaxi or GO App (Uber is only for regulated taxis here) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Hello Cycling (Share cycles found near Nagasaki Station) - ¥200/30 mins |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Takahama Beach (approx. 50 mins by bus, view of Hashima Island) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
ANA, JAL, Skymark (Nagasaki Airport NGS) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
China Eastern, HK Express (via Nagasaki or Fukuoka Airport) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Nagasaki Expressway connects to Fukuoka and Saga |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Nagasaki Station (Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Terminal) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Tram One-Day Pass (Nagasaki Denki Kido) - ¥600 |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Kamome Shinkansen to Takeo Onsen/Fukuoka (approx. 1.5 hours) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Nagasaki University Hospital (Sakamoto) - International patient support |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Yoga Studio Shanti (Hamanomachi) - ¥2,500 drop-in |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Anytime Fitness Nagasaki (Multiple locations) - approx. ¥7,500/month |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Wash & Fold (Nagasaki Station area) - ¥1,200 per load |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
UberEats, Demae-can |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Champon (Noodles) at Shikairo (approx. ¥1,100) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Tsumugu (Plant-based meals near Peace Park) |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Fukusaya for traditional Castella cake (approx. ¥1,200/box) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
YouMe Town Nagasaki, Hamanomachi Arcade |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Amazon.co.jp, Rakuten, Mercari |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Aeon Net Super |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Shianbashi - Narrow alleys filled with izakayas and bars |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Ourachoshu Brewery (Craft beer near Glover Garden) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Wine Bar Le Nord (Doza-machi) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown (Nikuman and Kakuni Manju) |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Red Lantern (Chinese-Japanese fusion in Chinatown) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Nagasaki Peace Park and Mount Inasa Observatory |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum (designed by Kengo Kuma) |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Dejima (former Dutch trading post), Gunkanjima (Hashima Island) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Oura Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Confucius Shrine |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Nagasaki Kunchi Festival (October), Lantern Festival (February) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Higashi-Yamate (Former Foreign Settlement) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Brick Hall (Large concerts and performances) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Kofukuji Temple area market stalls |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Ohana Cafe (Live acoustic sets and local bands) |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Teramachi street murals and traditional stone carvings |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Nagasaki Cooking Group (Shippoku cuisine classes) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
List Gallery (near Nagasaki Station) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Glover House, the oldest Western-style wooden building in Japan |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Mount Inasa Hiking Trails |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Unzen-Amakusa National Park (approx. 1.5 hours by car) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Urakami River path and the Meganebashi riverfront |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Mount Inasa Summit - One of the 'World's Top 3 Night Views' |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Nomozaki Peninsula |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Iojima Island designated BBQ and campfire zones |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Yamato Transport (Kuroneko), Sagawa Express |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
PC Depot Nagasaki, Bic Camera (at the station) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Nagasaki Citizen's Gymnasium |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Nagasaki International Association Japanese Classes |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Nagasaki Prefectural Library (Mirai Onmura) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Dejima Wharf Community Hall |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Cyber Cafe Bagus (Internet cafe with gaming PCs) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
P-Zone (Pachinko) - Gambling is restricted; nearest casino IR bid at Sasebo Huis Ten Bosch |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥450,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = ¥11,250,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥300,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = ¥7,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥400,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥20,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥280,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥14,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥380,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = ¥28,500,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥250,000 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = ¥18,750,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
Approx. 30.6% (effective rate) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
20.42% (Standard for non-residents) |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Resident-based taxation; Worldwide income for permanent residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
45% (plus 10% local inhabitant tax) |
| 🧾 VAT |
10% (8% for groceries/takeaway) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, applicable to 'Anti-Tax Haven' regulations |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
1.4% Fixed Asset Tax annually |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Approx. 3-4% (Real Estate Acquisition Tax) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
New 6-month Digital Nomad Visa (specified activities); no specific tax exemption yet |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING NAGASAKI