Essentials
- 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
- City
- Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan
- Population
- 405,000
Working and Networking
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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