Nagasaki is a city with a rich international history. It was Japan's second city to open up to global trading, and the country's only port for international trade from 1639 until 1859 under the direction of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The Nagasaki Tall Ships Festival began back in 2000, as a way to celebrate the long history of trading between Japan and The Netherlands. During the festival dates, Nagasaki Harbor will be home to numerous tall ships with their trademark white sails. Visitors to the festival will be able to explore the ships up close, and enjoy a range of other activities around the Nagasaki Seaside Park.

In the evenings, the tall ships will be illuminated, and there will also be fireworks displays once the sun goes down.