Nagasaki Nightlife
Located in the center of western Kyushu, Nagasaki has played a unique role in the history of Japan starting in 1550, when it was the entry point for the first foreign settlers in Japan. Fast forwarding to present day Nagasaki, visitors will certainly notice a strong foreign presence from young, animated English teachers to long-term residents serving the ship industry to the frequent Chinese accent flying across the city’s famed China Town. Several times a year the city is also flooded with Russian sailors offering all kinds of “bargains” in exchange for yen. Many Russian hostesses from neighboring prefectures flock to Nagasaki to feed the sailors’ hungry sexual appetite, while local Japanese flock to the harbor and aim their deadly Nikons at the sailors’ ships.
Hedonism aside, for a medium-sized prefecture, Nagasaki has a rather high number of universities and post-high school colleges. This is clearly reflected on the streets during weekends when the lab rats and future lawmakers come out to play. Upon clearer inspection into bars and clubs, it’s not at all difficult to acquaint oneself with brethrens from different parts of the country who are eager to practice their English.
Nightlife in Nagasaki is divided between three major areas:
- Dejima Wharf
- Hamano Machi
- Sian Bashi
Dejima Wharf
Dejima Wharf, as the name indicates, is located along the waterfront, just beside the harbor. It is a large construction housing numerous eating and drinking establishments catering to all tastes. As it’s a waterfront complex, most establishments put emphasis on their maritime dishes, so if you’re a carnivore, you may want to look elsewhere. 長崎港 offers seasonal sashimi and cooked fish, as well as some creative salads and the slightly controversial whale. It’s also possible to catch your own from the well-fed school floating in a small pool. Lambini is a rather informal outfit, often hosting live musicians and bands, catering to those with a taste for Latin. They do an excellent paella bursting with seafood and very reasonably priced. On the second floor, there’s St Andrews, a loungy bar with a British theme. They too often host live jazz musicians, and, depending on the artist, there may be a cover. There is a typical pub menu with the usual snacks, but most people go for the fish and chips. The owner is a sound chap who can’t speak much English but loves foreigners. If you’re lucky, he might let you glimpse at the stars through his state-of-the-art telescope. There are also several other bars located along both floors of the complex.
Hamano Machi and Sian Bashi
The bulk of the nightlife is concentrated between Hamano Machi and Sian Bashi. This is the center of the city and there is a decent sized shopping arcade, as well as China Town. There are hundreds of izakayas and restaurants dotted around, and the best thing is to just walk in randomly. However, you will definitely have trouble on a Saturday night, so get in early or wait in line!
As with most Japanese cities, barring the huge metropolises, it’s difficult to just walk in to a bar and find it bursting with people eager to talk to the newbies in town (well, discounting the drunk salaryman and the gaijin-obsessed-obaasan, that is). There are several decent spots in Nagasaki, catering to all kinds of people. Here is my pick of the crop.
Sugar Hill
A relatively new addition to the Nagasaki nightlife scene, Sugar Hill opened just last year, it’s quickly become a favorite with many. Musically, it focuses on Reggae, hip-hop and R&B and often hosts well know guests from across the country and abroad. There is usually a cover on weekends, but the atmosphere inside will soon make you forget you had to delve into your wallet. It has a decent sized dance floor and the drinks are reasonably priced.
Address: 油屋町�れ��通り
Caveau
This used to be a fairly up-scale restaurant which underwent a recent facelift to become a bar occasionally spilling into club territory. The staff is very friendly and will make an effort to talk to you, while the clientele are young, well-dressed professionals who won’t turn their head away from you!
Address: 長崎CAVEAU長崎市築町1-19井手ﾋﾞﾙB1F (Nagasaki City, Machi 1-19, Ide Building B1F), 095-825-9387
Panic Paradise
If music is your thing, this is the place for you. The owner, Ryutaro, has a huge CD collection housed in a small enclosure that, amongst other things, contains turntables, music memorabilia and Ryutaro himself, gratefully taking requests. You could quite possible hear some Detroit techno, 70s punk and Irish folk on the same night here. Drinks are slightly expensive, but there’s no rush to get them down. Panic Paradise is very popular with both the Nagasaki English teaching community and the seasonal ship workers as well as Japanese music aficionados.
Address: Nagato Shokai Bldg. BF1, 5-33, Yorozuya-machi, Nagasaki City, 850-0852
Ayer’s Rock
This is the oldest club in the city and regularly hosts live bands and guest DJs, including some international talent. It’s not exactly swanky, but then the musical focus is on techno, punk/rock and hip-hop, so the industrial feel goes with the territory. It is occasionally frequented by rowdy members from the American base in Sasebo, so be careful if you’re there on a night with big people wearing muscle-enhancing T-shirts. All drinks are 500 yen and the cover is usually 2000 yen.
Address: Ayer’s Rock, Hananoki Bldg. 3F, 6-13 Yorozuya-machi, Nagasaki City, 850-0852, 095-827-7373