[9 Popular Tourist Spots in Sasebo] Enjoy Beautiful Islands and a Townscape Filled with International Flair

If you are visiting Sasebo, winter is recommended, when you can see the town beautifully lit up with magical illuminations.
The illumination event at Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park selected as one of Japan’s three major illumination events, is also held in winter.
At Huis Ten Bosch, you can also enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall, so plan your visit according to the scenery you want to see.

From Fukuoka, the gateway to Kyushu, it takes Approx. 2 hours to reach Sasebo by highway bus.
From Nagasaki Airport, which also has international flights, access is convenient at Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus.
If you use a shared taxi from Nagasaki Airport, you can arrive in Sasebo in under 1 hour.

Japan’s largest theme park, featuring a beautiful European-style townscape and canals connected to the sea. The park is decorated with seasonal flowers and dazzling illuminations throughout the year, and it also offers a wide range of the latest attractions.
Various events are also held, creating plenty of excitement and memorable moments.

Located in the center of the Tawaragaura Peninsula, which faces the two seas of Sasebo Bay and the Goto Sea, this observatory offers a wonderful panoramic view of Kujukushima spreading out before your eyes.
The grand seascape is often said to be the best in Sasebo, and not only the daytime view but also the magical scenery at sunset is a must-see.

Kujukushima is a sea area made up of a complex ria coastline and 208 islands.
The word “kujuku” is a figurative expression meaning countless. Located at the gateway to this area, Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort is a complex facility where you can enjoy sightseeing cruises, marine activities, an aquarium, and a zoo.
The sightseeing cruises range from large boats to small boats, offering many ways to enjoy the panoramic scenery of Kujukushima or observe plants and marine life up close.

Kujukushima, a group of 208 islands of various sizes.
This is one of the “Eight Views of Kujukushima” selected by Sasebo City as a scenic spot where you can enjoy views of the archipelago.
An observatory has been built in a location overlooking the ria coast, with its intricate shoreline winding in and out of small bays, allowing visitors to see firsthand the surrounding sea, said to have the highest density of islands in Japan.

Yumiharidake is located to the west of central Sasebo City.
At the summit of this 364 m mountain is an observatory offering sweeping views of Sasebo Port, where large cruise ships and Self-Defense Forces vessels dock in the deep inlet, as well as the city area. To the west, you can also see the Goto Sea and the islands of Kujukushima, making it one of Sasebo’s finest scenic spots.
The nighttime view, selected as one of Japan’s 100 best night views, is also popular, with a magical landscape of orange lights glowing across the port and city.

An aquarium inside Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort, where you can fully enjoy the rich natural beauty of Kujukushima, a beautiful sea area made up of a complex ria coastline and 208 islands.
The highlight of the exhibits is the “Kujukushima Bay Large Tank,” a rare outdoor-style tank in Japan that recreates the diverse environment of Kujukushima Bay, including rocky shores, sandy areas, rock faces, and reefs.
From the corridor built around the tank, you can observe Approx. 13,000 creatures of around 120 species living as if they were in the real sea.

A temple known for the Sentoro Festival (held every year on August 23 and 24), where a 22 m tower decorated with Approx. 3,500 lanterns sparkles beautifully.
It was founded in 1582 by Matsura Shigenobu, former lord of the Hirado Domain.
In addition to the festival period, the fresh greenery and autumn foliage seasons also draw many worshippers, especially because of events called “Upside-Down Fresh Greenery” and “Upside-Down Autumn Leaves.”

A prefectural park that spans Sasebo City and Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture.
Saikaibashi, which gives the park its name, is an arch bridge spanning Inoura Seto (Hario Seto).
It was built between the Nishisonogi Peninsula, long known as an isolated area accessible only by land with difficulty, and Sasebo City for the purpose of promoting industry and encouraging development.

Located Approx. 55 km west of Sasebo, Nakadori Island is a remote island with a beautiful ria coastline. Related sites still remain across the island today. There are many churches, and the most famous among them is Aosagaura Church.
Its exterior stands out for its well-balanced form, while inside, the church features a high ceiling that makes use of elegant curved beams, with natural light shining through the stained glass. During the Christmas season, it is decorated with illuminations and attracts many visitors as a winter tradition. (Please note that photography is not allowed inside.)

A specialty restaurant serving lemon steak, a local dish that originated in Sasebo.
Lemon steak is a dish of thinly sliced beef grilled on an iron plate and enjoyed with a Japanese-style sauce flavored with lemon.
It is said to have originated as a Japanese-style adaptation of steak, which became popular under the influence of the U.S. Navy once stationed in Sasebo.

Sasebo Burger is now famous throughout Japan as a local specialty of Sasebo City.
The restaurant’s signature Sasebo Burger is a carefully crafted item, made entirely in-house, from the juicy patty made with domestic beef to the buns baked several times a day for their fluffy texture, and the tomato sauce slowly simmered to bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients. Among them, the “Special Burger,” topped with egg, bacon, and cheese, is the most popular for its hearty portion.

Enjoy freshly caught oysters while looking out over the ocean view of Kujukushima, a ria-coast archipelago designated as a national park.
The oysters used in the restaurant’s wide variety of dishes, from charcoal-grilled oysters to shumai and clam chowder, are all high-quality oysters cultivated by the company itself.
The Kujukushima sea area, with its calm waves, large tidal range, and mineral-rich water flowing in from the surrounding mountains, is an ideal aquaculture area, producing small but rich oysters with a clean, mild flavor.