[RIDGELINE] My 2026 New York Times Pick — Nagasaki

Ridgeline subscribers —

Nagasaki pivots around its harbor, into which flows the Uragami River. Mountains covered in small homes and shops rise alongside; at night, the whole valley sparkles like a jewel. An easy ropeway ride up Inasayama lets you take it all in. In the afternoon, the city bustles with locals.

It’s because of these reasons and many more, that I selected Nagasaki for my 2026 New York Times “52 Places to Go” destination. I’m delighted to see it make the list! (We don’t know if our picks have made it or not until the list is published.) I’ve been to Nagasaki five or six times over the last twelve years, and it’s always felt like a special place, but it wasn’t until I was having coffee with Sam Holden a few years ago, that his passion (he’s a verifiable Nagasaki (and Onomichi) maniac), for the city inspired me to take an even deeper look. So I went back, and it was, indeed, great.