Private Nagasaki WW2 History including Atomic Bomb Museum Tour





Description
Dream Tours Japan was born out of the idea of giving people the feeling of being connected with the destination in every facet of the tour. Whether it be from the on board commentary, insights into daily Japanese life, historical and important information of each attraction, cultural experiences, Japanese food and Sake tastings as well as personal opinions and facts about what it is truly life to live as an expat in this weird and wonderful country we call Japan. It is my belief that only a private tour consisting of a small numbers of members can create this important connection that will stay with us for the rest of our lives! On this tour we are able to visit 8 to 10 unique sites and spend as much time as required to throughly enjoy the experience. You will see so much more than an organized large group shore excursion, leaving one extremely satisfied at days end. This tour has been specifically set up for Shore Excursions and can be customized for earlier pick ups and drop offs.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The first thing you see is the huge Torii (Gate Entrance of Shinto Shrines) and you know from its sheer size you know this is not a normal location. The Sohonzan Shrine ticks every box and cultural component. In its own right it is one of the highlight attractions of the whole day. I know that a lot of people will say, not another Shrine, but its always been such a beautiful and awe inspiring location, I am absolutely sure you will be glad to not have missed it!
Hario Straits is one of Japan's three fastest flowing currents and is famous for its whirlpools created by the seawater from the expansive Omura Bay rushing through the narrow strait during the changing tides. The rate of the whirlpools increases particularly at springtime and there is also a beautiful park where we can enjoy a picnic and the seasonal flowers.
A real historical and important WW2 site that still remains in Nagasaki to this day, is called the Hario Transmission Towers. They were the starting point of the message sent by officials to proceed with the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a result of this, the Hario Transmission Towers will forever be remember if only in an infamous way.
Every now and then in my travels around Nagasaki Prefecture you come upon a special place that instantly makes a strong and lasting impression on you. Umegae Sake Brewery is just one of these places and as a result of this positive and uplifting experience we intend to make this location a regular attraction on our full day tours. The fact that they allow customers to explore the factory at their own leisure is not customary at all in the Sake Brewing world. There are a huge variety of Sake (Japanese Rice Wine) Shochu (Japanese Distilled Spirits) and Liqueurs (including Japan's famous Plum wine) more than enough to satisfy everyone. On sunny days, we have a picnic lunch in the traditional Japanese gardens on site. Doesn't get any better than this!
Mukyudo during World War II, was the air-raid shelter of the former Miyamura Elementary and Junior High School. The reason why this Air Raid Shelter is unique when compared to others is the fact that both male and female students as well as their teachers at the time were responsible for making and maintaining the shelter. Not only was the shelter used as a classroom in times of bombing by the Allied Forces but was also used by the community in and around the school. As most of the towns members were elderly (most of the men were away fighting in the war) the students were basically responsible for protecting their community from foreign forces.
A couple of wrong turns here and there but eventually I located the empty building and explored. What I found was beyond expectations! A massive empty building that was the school`s training facilities with a dock nearby which was the mooring station for the submarine or submarines. Not a lot is known about this place especially in regards to written material but just through visual inspection and using my imagination I could truly picture a scenario where once this place was a running and fully operation Submarine Naval Training Center before and during WW2.
Hasami Ceramics Museum is a place that all Ceramic and Porcelain enthusiasts should visit whilst traveling in and around Nagasaki Prefecture. Not only does it display Japanese and specifically Hasami Porcelain but it takes you on a historical tour of ceramics from around the globe and how these influences and techniques from abroad have made it all the way to Japan and into the Hasami Ceramic Community.
Nagasaki Peace Park today is a very peaceful place to stroll about and reflect on this frightening event in mankind's history. Let's hope that the mistakes of the past are never repeated again and the world can live peacefully without Nuclear threats of destruction. A walk around this solemn but special place always provides me with the strength and resolve that the mistakes of the past happen again and we should always do everything humanly possible to make this happen as a human race.
It is a very sobering place and definitely not for the faint hearted as the stories, exhibits and pictures are extremely graphic. There hasn't been a time when i haven't seen someone crying out loud and or emotionally uncontrollable. This museum definitely isn't every one's cup of tea. However, it is important to remember history and not to forget about the past as this is the way we don't make the same mistakes of the past.
The Mount Inasa Nightview in Nagasaki is a unbelievable place to visit. The daytime views are in a world of there own but in relation to the nighttime view it rates rather poorly in my opinion. Words don't explain this incredible place like the way they should and this view needs to be seen to be believed. Without a doubt one of the most scenic views in all of Nagasaki and probably in all of Japan. It is a place that I try to bring every visitor and customer that comes to Nagasaki as it really brings out the highlights of everything Nagasaki has to offer in terms of beauty and nature from its scenic location to its panorama.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
I will be present front and center and easily recognizable in my Australian Cowboy hat as you disembark from the Nagasaki and Sasebo International Cruise Terminals or at the reception area of all city hotels. Guide will be contactable by WhatsApp before the tour starts for a seamless transition.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(19)
We enjoyed this tour very much as we started with a shrine that had no crowds at all. The gardens were beautiful and serene and feeding the carp was also fun. Also seeing the transmission towers were unbelievable and learning about how the children had to dig the caves was so sad then you go to the Peace Park and it felt good to know they were strong and rebuilt everything. Our tour guide, Shannon did an excellent job, I would love to have him again if I ever came back for another excursion.
I am so pleased that you throughly enjoyed this tour. It was a great day indeed! You are right, Japan and specifically Nagasaki has rebuilt itself from utter destruction and is a thriving City now. Please come back again, I am here waiting for your return!
Our trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without visiting Nagasaki. Shannon, with his easy to understand Australian accent, met us at the port in Sasebo for our full-day adventure. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. We felt like we had a family-friend guiding us through the off-the -beaten path sites - like the Hario Radio Tower, Mukyudo - former air raid shelter, Umegae Sake Brewery, and Sohonzan Shrine - an unexpected highlight of the day. Our must see stops to the Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum and the Hypocenter did not disappoint. We especially enjoyed our visit to the reconstructed Urakami Cathedral. Start to finish, we had a blast on our day in Nagasaki.
Thankyou so much for this incredible review. The day was just about perfect and the visit to Sohonzan Shrine at dusk was a magical experience indeed! All the best to you and your family and please come back to Japan again!
Even though our cruise canceled the port, Shannon communicated with us concerning the typhoon. As soon as I had booked the tour several months ago, he worked with me to create the wonderful experience. Unfortunately, the typhoon prevented us from making the port of call but, based upon his professional attitude and thoroughness, I feel the day would have been amazing.
Like yourself, it was very disappointing not to have had the opportunity to meet your party of 8 but that typhoon put a fork in the works. I am sorry that I couldn't give you a full refund but I have many pre-booked attractions and logistical expenses. I hope one day you return to Japan and specifically Nagasaki. I will be here ready and waiting.
Shannon is one of a kind! My family and I could never thank him enough for the wealth of knowledge he shared with us during our tour. He is the perfect guide, as he's punctual, knowledgeable, and hospitable in every sense of the terms. We will be talking about this day for the rest of our lives. Thank you, Shannon, for sharing so much of yourself and for offering the tour of a lifetime.
Hello Hayley, Thankyou so much for this amazing review. We had a fantastic day alright, lots of attractions and the chance to eat the famous dishes of Nagasaki, namely Chanpon and Sara Udon not to mention all you can eat Japanese dumplings (gyoza). All the best to you and your family and please come back to Japan again someday.
We had a great day with Shannon - in the rain! He is so knowledgeable about the area, the Japanese customs and history. He takes you to several points of interest that most tourists would not see and we loved the entire day. Highly recommend this tour
Hi Lacey, Yes the weather wasn't the best but our attitudes and general positivity all day surely made up for that! I am so glad we choose to go the the Ceramic region after our fantastic Ramen and Nagasaki's famous Chanpon lunch. Could have stayed hours finding small ceramic pieces that will become a focal point of future Sake parties. You must come back to Japan again, I will be waiting!
My grandfather had been a prisoner of war in Nagasaki in 1945 and so this was quite a personal journey for me. Shannon was fantastic, researching the locations that would be relevant for us, explaining the history and the locations, and giving us space to absorb everything in our own time. I 100% recommend Shannon and this tour.
It was my absolute pleasure to be your guide on this tremendous day. It is such an incredible experience, I too was moved by your Grandfather, what an amazing man he was. His survival during those times was basically a miracle. All the best to you and your family!
This was a nice tour and Shannon was very hospitable. Apart from the Atomic Bomb museum, you will see many WW2 related artefacts and places in the more rural areas surrounding Nagasaki. Overall, a very nice enjoyable experience. The night time views of Nagasaki were amazing
Thankyou so much for your review. We did get to many places around the rural confines of Nagasaki Prefecture and the weather was great all day too! I am glad that I was able to facilitate your 1 day whilst in Nagasaki on business.
When you arrive in a new city you have no idea what makes that city tick. This tour takes you on a journey and shows you that Nagasaki has a somber past, but also an incredible soul of resilience, and a future in the hands of some hard working young people. We, my teenage son and partner, thoroughly enjoyed our day with Shannon. Life is a journey, and this one is worth taking.
I fully appreciate the wonderful comments you made about our day together. From the very first handshake till the hugs goodbye the conversation and atmosphere at every location was amazing. I wish all my tours were like this! All the best to your future olympian son.
I had a fun tour! A variety of stops and a nice lunch of chanpon. He was very knowledgeable about the area, and we had a good conversation during the drive.
Hello Emily, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the local Nagasaki speciality dish called Chanpon. Your knowledge of Japan and Nagasaki was really impressive as well. I hope you have a great time during your stay here.
Shannon was awesome. So much fun and so knowledgeable. Traveled in a very comfy van to places you'd never see on a cruise ship tour. If you like WW2 history - this is the tour for you.
Thank you for this great review. We did do and see a lot during the day didn't we! I also enjoyed your company, it's not too often that the clients know more than the guide. It filled in much of my knowledge gaps. I will be ready for the next tour!



