What other travelers are saying about Inasayama Summit Observatory
We enjoyed a beautiful sunset here. The ride and the views were truly wonderful. Although the viewing deck was crowded, it was still easy to find a spot to sit and take in the sun and breeze. There are also cafés nearby where you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
An excellent place to visit and view Nagasaki in both daylight and at night.
The cable car is a fun way to ride up to the top, although there can be queues either up or down.
Take note, taxis seem to sometimes not be able/willing to collect from the top.
Of all the places we visited in Nagasaki during my day tour, the Observatory was definitely the highlight. It’s a stunning spot, and the long night walk from Tram Station 26 to the cable car entrance was totally worth it—though I’m sure there’s an easier route I didn’t know about then.
The entrance and round-trip cable car ticket cost ¥1,250, and it was well worth it for the view.
There was an ojisan who offered to take photos with the city’s night skyline for an extra fee. We took 2 photos as a souvenir.
We visited Nagasaki in the last week of September 2025.
An absolutely incredible view of Nagasaki. Come an hour or so before sundown for one of the best sunsets you will see anywhere.
This is my 2nd trip and sadly the rest area in the observatory no longer serves food or drink, which was fantastic in 2024. Still, it is a great place to unwind and relax as the night sets in.
¥1250 per person for the round trip (recommended). Very smooth cable car ride took about 3-4mins and a member of the staff travelled in the car with us. The cars take about 20 people at a time and travel every 20minutes. You can basically do what you need to do up on the observatory deck in 20mins and get back to catch the tram down or if you want to take longer, you can. We just wanted to make the most of the day in port and see the other attractions.
Tip: get there as early as possible. I expect this view would be spectacular at night
Inasayama Observatory is open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM (last entry 9:30 PM). Round-trip ropeway tickets cost 1,250 yen for adults and 620 yen for children. The observatory deck itself has free admission once you reach the summit via ropeway or car.
Take the Nagasaki Ropeway from Fuchi Shrine station, which is accessible by bus from Nagasaki Station (15 minutes). The ropeway ride to Inasayama Summit Observatory takes 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive up the winding mountain road, though parking is limited at the summit.
Inasayama Observatory offers panoramic 360-degree views of Nagasaki city, Nagasaki Bay, and surrounding mountains. It's famous for spectacular sunset views and night scenes ranked among Japan's top 3 night views. On clear days, you can see Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) and the Shimabara Peninsula.
The best times for photography at Inasayama Observatory are during sunset (golden hour) and blue hour for night photography. Visit 1-2 hours before sunset to capture daylight views, sunset, and the transition to Nagasaki's famous night illumination. Avoid foggy or rainy days for optimal visibility.
Inasayama Observatory features a restaurant with panoramic windows serving Western and Japanese cuisine, perfect for dining with views. The facility also includes a gift shop, observation decks, indoor viewing areas, and restrooms. There's also a small museum about Nagasaki's history and the mountain's significance.
