$Ga_2O_3$ one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures were synthesized by using a thermal evaporation technique. The morphology, crystal structure, and sensing properties of the $Ga_2O_3$ nanostructures functionalized with Pt to $NO_2$ gas at room temperature under UV irradiation were examined. The diameters of the 1D nanostructures ranged from a few tens to a few hundreds of nanometers and the lengths ranged up to a few hundreds of micrometers. Pt nanoparticles with diameters of a few tens of nanometers were distributed around a $Ga_2O_3$ nanorod. The responses of the nanorods gas sensors fabricated from multiple networked $Ga_2O_3$ nanorods were improved 3-4 fold at $NO_2$ concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 ppm by Pt functionalization. The Pt-functionalized $Ga_2O_3$ nanorod gas sensors showed a remarkably enhanced response at room temperature under ultraviolet (UV) light illumination. In addition, the mechanisms via which the gas sensing properties of $Ga_2O_3$ nanorods are enhanced by Pt functionalization and UV irradiation are discussed.