Kujūku Islands
Islands Cluster of scenic islands with coastal views
The Kujūku Islands off Nagasaki (Kujukushima) offer a scattering of islets and coves; tourists take boat cruises, coastal drives and fishing trips, and use viewpoints to photograph the island-dense seascape.
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The Kujūku Islands are an archipelago off the northwest coast of Kyushu in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The group comprises about 208 small islands and islets; the name literally means “ninety-nine islands.”
Known for its fractured coastline and dense cluster of islets, the area is popular for short sightseeing boat cruises that run from Sasebo and for shoreline viewpoints that provide panoramic views over the channels. Activities include short island visits, coastal sightseeing, and small-boat excursions through the island group.
The islands are natural features created by geological activity and subsequent marine erosion. The cluster was included in Saikai National Park when that park was established in 1955, giving it protected status for its scenic and marine values.
The archipelago lies immediately offshore of the city of Sasebo on Kyushu’s northwest coast, facing the East China Sea. Access for visitors is typically via Sasebo, which serves as the primary departure point for boat tours.
- Name: literally translates as "ninety-nine islands" while the cluster actually includes on the order of two hundred small islands and islets
- Protected status: was incorporated within Saikai National Park when the park was designated in 1955
- Seeing the islands: is commonly viewed from sightseeing boats that depart from Sasebo and from several shoreline viewpoints offering panoramic outlooks over the archipelago
How to Get to Kujūku Islands #
Sasebo City is the usual base. From Sasebo Station it is a short drive or taxi ride to the port where sightseeing cruises and ferries depart for viewpoint stops around the islands.
Tips for Visiting Kujūku Islands #
- Take the Sasebo sightseeing cruise for the best overview of the islands - routes leave from Sasebo Port and include close views of outlying islets.
- Look for viewpoints on Kujūkujima Pearl Sea Resort's promenades; early morning light is excellent for photography.
Best Time to Visit Kujūku Islands #
Spring and autumn provide the best balance of comfortable weather and calm seas for island cruises and coastal walks.
