
Glover Garden in Nagasaki, Japan is an open-air museum of 19th-century Western-style mansions set on a hillside overlooking Nagasaki Port. Families can explore elegant historic homes, wind through flower-filled paths, and take in sweeping harbor views, all while learning about Japan’s international history in a way that’s engaging and easy to enjoy. It’s stroller-friendly, relaxing, and full of hidden surprises for kids.
As you plan your trip to Nagasaki with kids, our resources are here to help! Check out our full Nagasaki Family Travel Guide for cultural stops, fun neighborhoods, and activity-filled itineraries. Then, visit the Nagasaki with Kids Hub to find all our guides, family adventures, and travel tips conveniently in one easy spot.
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Why Book Ahead? It’s often quicker, avoids long lines, and helps skip language barriers at the ticket counter. *Prices are subject to change.
Why It’s Great for Families
- It’s mostly outdoors, with space for kids to roam freely between buildings, fountains, and gardens.
- The garden paths are scenic, gentle, and stroller-accessible, making it a good low-effort, high-reward stop.
- Some exhibits are hands-on or visual, making history approachable for children.
- Great views from the terraces give kids a chance to spot boats, trains, and harbor landmarks from above.
Parent Insight: Wandering through historic gardens or homes invites curiosity about how people lived, but it also gives kids space to breathe and explore at their own pace. Let them lead the way, pause where they’re curious, and imagine what life was like in a different time. These unhurried moments often spark the most lasting memories.
Top Family Highlights
- Glover House: The main mansion, oldest Western-style building in Japan, with a view deck and small exhibits.
- Terraced Gardens & Fountains: Colorful flowers, koi ponds, and European-style landscaping perfect for a slow-paced wander.
- Historic House Row: A collection of preserved merchant homes with antique furnishings and cultural exhibits.
- Musical Bench or Instruments (seasonal): Sometimes found along the path, a surprise hit with toddlers.
- Panoramic Harbor Viewpoints: Spot ferries, cable cars, and Nagasaki landmarks from the upper terraces.
Good to Know
- Cost: ¥ – Book your tickets here.
- Best Age Range: All ages, toddlers enjoy the open space, while older kids appreciate the variety of buildings and views
- Stroller-Friendly? Yes, elevators, ramps, and wide garden paths throughout
- Rest Areas: Benches, shade, and vending machines along the way
- Food: No food inside the homes, but snacks available at nearby cafés; picnic benches outside the gates
Getting There
- By Tram: Take the tram to Ouratenshudo-shita Station, then walk uphill for 5–10 minutes.
- Shortcut: Use the Glover Sky Road Elevator for a scenic ride to the top. It’s stroller-accessible and makes the garden visit easier for little legs.
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Start from the top using the Glover Sky Road elevator, it’s easier on little legs and gives you a downhill garden walk with amazing views!
To discover more family fun in Nagasaki, explore our Best Things to Do in Nagasaki with Kids guide. It’s packed with ideas for penguin encounters, mountaintop views, glowing lanterns, and cultural adventures across one of Kyushu’s most fascinating cities.
FAQs: Visiting Glover Garden with Kids
Got questions about visiting Glover Garden in Nagasaki with kids? Here are the answers to the most common family travel questions, including stroller access, tickets, and tips for making the most of your visit.
A: Yes! Glover Garden is an outdoor, stroller-friendly attraction with historical homes, scenic paths, and kid-friendly surprises like musical benches and koi ponds. It’s both relaxing and educational for families.
A: Most families spend 1 to 1.5 hours at Glover Garden, allowing time to explore the houses, take photos, enjoy the gardens, and rest at scenic viewpoints.
A: Absolutely. The site has elevators, ramps, and wide paths throughout. Use the Glover Sky Road elevator to enter from the top and enjoy a downhill walk.
A: Eating is not allowed inside the houses, but you can enjoy snacks or a small picnic just outside the gates. Benches and vending machines are available for resting.
A: Take the tram to Ouratenshudo-shita Station and use the Glover Sky Road Elevator for an easy and fun shortcut to the top entrance, perfect for strollers or tired legs.
A: While Glover Garden isn’t a traditional hands-on museum, it offers visual displays, musical benches (in some seasons), and wide open spaces for kids to explore safely.
A: Yes. Glover Garden offers discounted tickets for children. As of the latest rates, general admission for adults is ¥620, while children (elementary to high school age) pay ¥310. Preschoolers can enter for free.
Until Next Time…
With its peaceful paths, ocean views, and charming old homes, Glover Garden is a gentle and engaging way to experience Nagasaki’s global past. It’s relaxing for parents, full of discovery for kids, and beautifully laid out for families to enjoy at their own pace.
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~