What other travelers are saying about Mount Inasa (Inasayama)
We enjoyed the rope car ride up and down the mountain, which allowed us to capture the views alongside the mountain. The weather was cool and the cafe had lovely cakes.. but the most amazing view was to be had at the top of the observatory. Arriving just before sunset means you get a better collection of the riot of colours as the sun set
READ BEFORE GOING: Go two hours before sunset and bring drinks and food from 7/11 or Lawson. You can eat while waiting for sunset. Take the bus to the base of Nagasaki Inasa Slope Station it was Bus #5 pay with IC or cash 190 yen from Nagasaki Station. Unless you’re a fan of Ropeway or slope cars you can save yourself 1,000 yen and walk up stairs 650m or less than .25 miles. As long as you’re young or reasonable healthy it’s fine. The free shuttle someone else mention only runs at night so you miss sunset. Bring layers because it get cold up top when sunsets and night view is worth staying for too. Buses are frequent.
They do have a drink vending machine, bathroom, and indoor seating. Going up to top floor was free maybe because off season less tourist. They have anoodle shop on peak season. I’d definitely recommend.
We went here by ropeway (where at the ground station, you can buy a coin for it and observatory) just before the sun set (around 15 minutes, sun was already just above the horizon), so some of the best spots were taken. Though most people were interested in the other side which is the Nagasaki city by night, which at first we didn't understand. The views from both sides are quite remarkable and different. On one side you have an ocean and wild nature, green hills etc. on the other there is a bustling city. Since it's a tower on a mountain top it can be quite chilly and windy, though since it's also quite popular you have a natural wind shield most of the time. Some people wrote that you should be here and hour earlier, so maybe we were lucky but we got the photos from the first line without problems.
If you come by car there is a free parking next to the cable car station, though you can also drive up, however the parking next to the observatory on the mountain top was closed when we were there. If you come by ropeway or slope car there is an additional attraction of the blue bridge in the tree tops. The observatory is free, so only parking/ropeway cost 1250 round way ( and offers additional views of the city)
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.
Mt. Inasa Overlook was absolutely beautiful during the day. The cable car ride up was smooth and offered great views on the way. At the top, the panorama over Nagasaki — the city, harbour and surrounding mountains — is wide, clear and stunning. It was quite windy, but still really enjoyable and perfect for photos. The lookout area is clean, calm and easy to explore. Even without the famous night lights, the daytime view is completely worth it. A must-see in Nagasaki!
Mount Inasa stands at 333 meters above sea level, providing visitors with a stunning vantage point over Nagasaki.
Yes, at the summit, there is a glass-enclosed observatory that offers remarkable 360-degree views of Nagasaki and beyond. The observatory is accessible by ropeway from Fuchi Shrine.
In addition to the observatory, Inasayama Park features playgrounds, making it a family-friendly destination. The park itself provides scenic views and a peaceful setting.
Visitors can take buses to the area if the ropeway service is unavailable. There are also roads leading up to the mountain for those who prefer to drive or take a taxi.
For the optimal night view experience, visiting after sunset and before midnight is recommended when the city lights are fully illuminated. Clear nights offer the most spectacular views.
