The first impressions of the city were pleasant, and it was the right time to finally meet my husband's parents and brothers.

I was both excited and worried about how my new Japanese family will react to me (who wouldn't?).

My husband's dad kindly reserved a table at a luxury restaurant. We met there, and I presented small souvenirs from the Ibaraki prefecture where I was living. The family greeted me with smiles and gentleness which was a big relief! Finally, we started talking about everything and enjoying delicious treats.

After lunch, we separated our ways but were invited to the parents' house the next day. My husband was incredibly happy that we had such a good time and proposed to continue exploring the city.

We had a walk and then headed to Dejima, a famous tourist spot in Nagasaki.

Dejima was originally an artificial island to settle the Portuguese in the 17th century. Later it was abolished and became a part of the city.

Nowadays restored parts of the island infrastructure serve as examples of how people lived there.

At the tourist spot, you can explore old buildings from outside and inside. Some of them were factories and warehouses, and others were houses where people lived. There were also interactive displays portraying the life of the Dejima locals.

I loved the interior installations that showed what people used to eat and what entertainment they had back in the days. I also had a chance to take a picture with a man dressed as a samurai. Inside of the complex you can also purchase souvenirs and other memorable goods.

Next, we wanted to enjoy the picturesque night view from Mount Inasa.

One of the ways one can get to the top is by a ropeway. Although it was a late evening, many people wanted to experience the breathtaking view and take pictures.

I must say it was freezing, and the wind was strong, too, so I purchased a bottle of hot tea from the vending machine. The whole city can be seen from the top, and the night-time Nagasaki atmosphere was especially romantic.

If you decide to visit the mount in February as we did, warm-up, or you might catch a cold!

Our next destination was special to me because I have little experience of travelling by sea.

Apparently, my husband wanted me to feel like a real Nagasaki dweller, so he purchased two tickets to the tour to Gunkanjima Island.

The island was once settled by coal miners and their families. This kind of work was robust and also dangerous, but, according to the tour guide, salaries were also high.

The island territory had everything: a pachinko (a slot game center) centers, schools, shops, and beauty salons.

The island can be accessed by a tour boat, which was the most stressful experience for me. Like my mom, I have motion sickness, and I felt terribly dizzy all the way to the island. The waves were high, so our boat would literally jump a meter high.

But, I must admit, the trip was completely worth it!

As soon as we landed, we saw an enormous abandoned territory, which of course, gave us chills.

The staff was telling us the history of the island, and a carnivorous bird was flying above. We found out how hazardous and risky a coal miner's job was (and I guess still is).

After we successfully returned to the land, my new family and I went fishing (I tried it myself for the first time). I was amazed by how blue and clean the water was! Never seen anything similar in my life!

My husband's younger brother caught a squid, and then we visited the parents' house. There we had a yummy dinner, including that fresh out of water squid.

I was grateful to my husband's family because thanks to them, I truly felt like I was born there. By the way, we are meeting them again this New Year, hooray!