It was early August when I first arrived in Nagasaki. Although I'd lived in Japan before, I'd never set foot on the island of Kyushu. This left me both nervous and excited for the adventures that lay ahead. I had heard that Kyushu was famous for its hot springs and had a wealth of nature to offer those eager to explore its wilderness. Guide book in hand, I promised myself I would make the most of my time in Nagasaki.

One of the first traditional events I had the chance to witness was the "Sourou Nagashi", or Procession of Souls, on August 15. This day marked the event of Obon, a holiday period in which people pay respects to their departed family members. Nagasaki's tradition differs from those in the rest of the country in that it involves floats and--somewhat unexpectedly--firecrackers! Those who have lost family members in the year previous work year-round to build floats, which they parade through the town at the beginning of Obon. Naturally, the procession attracts quite a few onlookers. I was moved by the hard work the people of Nagasaki put into remembering their loved ones.

Nagasaki is also well known for its "Okunchi" harvest festival, held annually in October. The festival spans three days and is marked by elaborate dances making use of floats and other props. Different districts of the city participate every year, and everyone puts their whole heart into practicing for the shows. Of course, there's plenty of delicious food to be held as well! Okunchi is a must see for those visiting in the fall.

If you don't know much about Nagasaki, you might be surprised to learn about its close historical ties to Europe. Nagasaki was one of the first ports open to trade with foreign countries several centuries ago, and the Western influence of countries like Portugal and Holland can still be seen throughout various parts of the city today. One such spot is Huis ten Bosch, a Dutch-inspired theme park located in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Huis ten Bosch is modeled after Holland and offers an authentic taste of Europe to the curious visitor. Its Christmas illumination (seen above) is gorgeous!

Every February, Nagasaki hosts the Lantern Festival in honor of the Lunar New Year. Thousands of Chinese-inspired lanterns can be seen at various sightseeing spots and temples throughout the city. There's plenty of Chinese food to be sampled, and other events include dances and traditional music performances. I'd highly recommend you take a look at the lanterns at day in order to admire them among their surroundings, then return at night to appreciate the beauty of their light shining through the darkness.

Nagasaki may not be as well known for its cherry blossoms as places like Kyoto or Tokyo, but they're not to be missed! The city's unique geography, with its many hills and slopes, offers unique vantage points for the adventurous photographer. Also, there are far fewer tourists scrambling for the best viewing spots, making your enjoyment of the blossoms all the simpler.

June marks the beginning of the Otakusa hydrangea festival. The festival, named in honor of a nickname given to a variety of hydrangea by German physicist Philipp Franz von Siebold, brings the bloom of over five thousand hydrangea flowers across the city. Above, you can see famous Nagasaki landmark "megane bashi", or the Spectacles Bridge, framed by hydrangea flowers.

Last but certainly not least is Nagasaki's famous "ten million dollar view": the outlook from Mount Inasa. I had the opportunity to visit Mount Inasa quite a few times during my stay in Nagasaki, and each time, I felt like I was experiencing Nagasaki's beauty through brand new eyes. The view of the bay combined with the hills beyond is enough to leave you speechless, particularly combined with the breathtaking colors of sunset. Please make time to visit Mount Inasa and appreciate everything Nagasaki has to offer.