Nagasaki

Cruise vessels berth at Matsugae Pier in a particularly convenient position beside the city centre. From here, passengers can walk to the entrance of Glover Garden in 15 minutes.

Taxis are abundant, inexpensive and metered, and their drivers are generally very honest.

A stop for tram line 5 is located here.

Tourist Information is available ashore only on the day of a call and provides an English city map. Currency Exchange is likewise offered ashore only on the calling day.

The Port of Nagasaki has the form of an amphitheatre facing the sea. Homes climb the city's mountain slopes as far as their summits, and their lights create Nagasaki's celebrated “million-dollar” night view. The port is central to the city's international exchanges, while distinctive festivals showcase local traditions and its food culture.

From its hilltop setting at Minami-Yamate, Glover Garden commands an impressive outlook across Nagasaki Harbour. This romantic district preserves the character of a former foreign settlement.

The Atomic bomb museum thoughtfully commemorates one of the 20th century's greatest tragedies. At the end of the displays, several carefully designed exhibits make a forceful case against nuclear proliferation. The easiest route is tram line 1 or 3, taking ten minutes from JR Nagasaki Station. A taxi from the cruise berth costs around $18.

For city sightseeing, a Tram, or Street car, costs ¥150 per journey irrespective of distance. A 'One day pass ticket' is sold for ¥600 at the terminal information desk, and announcements are also made in English. Buses provide another pleasant way to reach numerous sights. In a taxi, let the driver remotely operate the left rear door rather than opening or closing it yourself. Do not tip because service is included in the fare. A 3-hour tour costs about 12.000 Yen.

If you do not speak Japanese or are going somewhere that is not widely known, give the driver the full address on paper or, preferably, indicate it on a map. Japan's address system can confuse even local taxi drivers.

Huis Ten Bosch is a Dutch-style theme park situated beyond Sasebo.

Beside Dejima Wharf in central Nagasaki, the multistorey Youme Saito shopping plaza contains a broad mix of shops and services. These include Starbucks, a travel agent, a basement grocery shop and a large choice of clothing outlets. English-speaking visitors may be particularly interested in Kinokuniya on the fifth floor, which arguably stocks the city's widest range of English-language magazines and books. A food court with several choices adjoins Kinokuniya. Take the blue streetcar line to Ohato for easy access to Youme Saito.

Chinatown is located close to the cruise terminal.

Japan's currency is the yen. Notes are issued in ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 denominations, with coins of ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1.

Japanese ATMs are increasingly useful, and most now allow withdrawals from overseas accounts; post offices also have ATMs. Major credit cards work in most restaurants and shops in large cities, but travellers heading to rural districts should carry enough cash. Japan remains strongly cash-oriented, and some shops, hotels and restaurants refuse cards regardless of their location.

Avoid tipping, which is regarded as rude.

Cafés providing free WiFi to customers are appearing across Japan. Charges differ: some coffee shops include Wi-Fi at no cost, while others bill by the hour for cable-enabled PCs.

Shops and department stores in Japan usually trade daily, including on national holidays except New Year's, from 10:00 or 10:30am until 7:30 or 8:00pm. Certain specialist shops close on Sundays and national holidays. Department stores may take one irregular closing day each week, but differing closure days mean shoppers can always find an open store.

Check the dates of Public Holidays in Japan.