Cats & Hidden Alleyways: Nagasaki Walking Tour

Stray cats live in Nagasaki's narrow backstreets, and this tour takes you to find them.

This 2-hour guided walking tour of Nagasaki combines local history with cat-spotting in hidden alleyways and neighbourhoods off the main tourist routes. You'll visit a cat-themed charity-run souvenir shop, stop at local snack spots where Nagasaki residents eat, and encounter the stray cats that inhabit these quiet streets. A live guide in English or Japanese leads the route, which features uneven terrain, steep steps and narrow pathways. One coffee, tea or soft drink is included. Cat sightings depend on weather and the cats' presence, so numbers cannot be guaranteed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Walking tour of Nagasaki's hidden spots

• Enjoy a drink and short rest
• Walk through historical and cultural spots
• Stop for a famous photo
• Visit the last stop of the tour

The experience

The route winds through Nagasaki's historical and cultural neighbourhoods, moving away from the main streets into the narrow alleyways where local stray cats roam. Along the way you'll pass a famous photo stop and learn about the city's history from a guide who speaks English or Japanese. The terrain is uneven with steep steps and slopes, so the walk demands a high level of physical fitness and comfort with challenging footing.

Two stops break up the walking: a cat-themed charity-run souvenir shop where you can browse unique finds, and local snack spots where you can taste flavours that Nagasaki residents actually eat. One coffee, tea or soft drink per person is included. The tour lasts 2 hours total, with a short rest and drink before the walking begins.

Because the cats are strays living in these neighbourhoods, their presence varies with weather and their own routines: sightings are never guaranteed. The tour is built around the streets and the history. The cats are the bonus when conditions allow.

What’s included

• One coffee, tea or soft drink per person.
• a live guide in English or Japanese.
• access to a cat-themed charity-run souvenir shop.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 11:00 and 14:00

Book up to2d before

AgesUp to age 80

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Physically demandingPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Space Beppu

Is this one for you?The tour starts from a point with public transport nearby, so you don't need a car or a taxi to reach it. Book the time that fits your day and arrive by bus or train from wherever you're staying in Nagasaki.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the physical difficulty of this walking tour in Nagasaki?

The route features uneven terrain, steep steps, slopes and narrow pathways, making it a physically demanding walk. You'll need a high level of fitness and comfort ascending and descending steep steps. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or difficulty with stairs.

Are cat sightings guaranteed on this Nagasaki tour?

No. The cats encountered are strays living in the neighbourhoods, so Space Beppu cannot guarantee sightings of any particular number. Weather heavily influences whether and how many cats you'll see.

What's included in the tour price?

One coffee, tea or soft drink per person is included. Food and meals beyond the snack stops are not included. You'll explore local flavours at the snack spots along the route, but those are separate purchases.

How do I get to the starting point without a car?

Public transportation options are available near the tour's starting point, so you can reach it by bus or train if you're staying elsewhere in Nagasaki.