What it is
Nagasaki's Chinatown grew up around the Edo-era Shinchi warehouses used to land goods from China, and is often counted as one of Japan's three major Chinatowns, alongside Yokohama and Kobe. Within a block framed by gates on each side, around 40 Chinese restaurants and shops selling Chinese food and goods are said to gather here. The district is also known as the birthplace of Nagasaki champon and sara udon.
Tips for getting around and eating
Champon and sara udon are said to vary from shop to shop in noodle thickness and broth richness, and many visitors enjoy comparing a few. Street-food items like kakuni buns and mooncakes are also common, often sold individually from shop counters. The district tends to get especially crowded around public holidays and Lunar New Year, so it helps to allow extra time.
When to visit
Most restaurants open around 11am, with lunchtime being the busiest period. Lunar New Year often overlaps with the Nagasaki Lantern Festival, when the area is decorated with lanterns and hosts celebratory events, though the timing shifts each year, so it's worth checking the official website before you go.
The gates on each side of Chinatown are each said to be named after a direction, and are known as a popular photo spot. Within walking distance are other sights such as the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture and Glover Garden, and many visitors are said to build a full day's itinerary around the area. Hotels and souvenir shops are also common nearby, and many travelers are said to use the district as a base for exploring Nagasaki.