How much time should you spare when visiting Nagasaki?

From coastal powerhouse, to tragic remembrance, to wonderful tourist spot

- By JINGGOY I. SALVADOR

What draws tourists to Nagasaki? To see Ground Zero? This one tragic event that befell the city seems to be synonymous with its name, and yes, that draws in the crowd, most often for a side trip—a day tour— from Fukuoka.

Nagasaki today is far from what its dark past was (which included the persecution of Christians during the Edo period and the eruption of Mt. Unzen, the deadliest volcanic eruption recorded in Japanese history). Fully recovered and thriving, the prefecture lures in the curious and the wanderers. Stay longer than a few hours, a couple of days perhaps, or even longer if you want to immerse yourself in its charm. Whatever you opt for, Nagasaki won't disappoint.

The prefecture's rich and diverse past makes the place a cornucopia of adventures today. It led to creating a unique place where the local culture coexists with Western and Eastern cultures today, be it people, food, architecture, or religion. It was the gateway of Europe and Asia to the country in the past, after all. While Japan isolated itself from the world for more than two centuries during the Edo Period, Nagasaki was the only port that permitted foreign trade. This made Nagasaki Prefecture's role in the country's international relations vital.

Nagasaki City, clustered around Nagasaki Port, exudes a vibe of polarity. It blends the present with the past, urbanization with nature. These appealing features are evident upon arrival at the train track of the largest city in the prefecture. Hop off the ultramodern Shinkansen, then hop on the retro trams with a history that dates back to 1915 - still running on its original lines and efficient to this day-to your destination around the quaint city. The tram system, one of the oldest in Japan, continues to be an important part of Nagasaki's transportation network that connects all the vital areas of the city, tourist attractions included.