Inasayama Summit Observatory

Inasayama Observatory stands at the summit of Mount Inasa, a 333-meter high mountain located west of Nagasaki's city center. The site has long been cherished by citizens as a landmark of Nagasaki City, and the mountaintop serves as the location for numerous television and radio transmission antennas that illuminate the summit after dark.

The observatory has gained international recognition for its spectacular views. Designated as part of the "World's New Three Most Spectacular Night Views" during the Nightscape Summit 2021 in Nagasaki alongside Monaco and Shanghai, the panorama is famously known as Nagasaki's "10 Million Dollar Night View". The night views from Mount Inasa are ranked among Japan's three best night views besides the views from Mount Hakodate and Mount Rokko. The basin-like terrain of Nagasaki creates a unique visual effect, with lights from homes and streetlights scattered up the mountainsides resembling stars on the ground.

The glass-enclosed cylindrical observation tower provides a panoramic view of Nagasaki Port and the city of Nagasaki, and on a clear day you can see as far as the Goto Islands, Unzen, and Amakusa. The multi-level facility features a rooftop viewing platform offering 360-degree views, along with a restaurant and cafe where visitors can enjoy refreshments while taking in the cityscape. The illuminated floor lighting at the observatory works together with the night view to create an atmospheric experience. During spring, the surrounding Inasayama Park showcases approximately 80,000 azaleas that bloom from late April to early May.

Visitors can access the summit through multiple transport options. The Nagasaki Ropeway operates from Fuchi Shrine Station at the mountain's base, with the five-minute ride costing 730 yen one way or 1,250 yen round trip. Alternatively, the Nagasaki Inasayama Slope Car, a monorail-style transport introduced in February 2020, runs between Inasayama Park and the summit for 300 yen one way or 500 yen round trip. Nagasaki Bus runs 1-2 buses per hour between Nagasaki Station and Inasayama bus stop for 190 yen one way, though this requires a 15-20 minute uphill walk to reach the summit.