Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort, Nagasaki

The base for exploring Sasebo's 208 Kujukushima islands: cruise between them, then meet their sea life at the Umi Kirara aquarium next door.

Glass-fronted building of Kujukushima Aquarium Umikirara at the resort — Photo: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yachts in the marina with wooded Kujukushima islands behind — Photo: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What is Kujukushima?

Kujukushima is a stretch of sea dotted with islands, running about 25 kilometres north from the outer edge of Sasebo Bay in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. Its scenery is made up of a deeply indented ria coastline and scattered islands, and almost all of it lies within Saikai National Park. It is even said to have the highest density of islands in Japan.

Kujuku means "ninety-nine", but here it is not an actual count: it is a word for "more than you can count". A survey by local volunteers in 2001 confirmed that there are actually 208 islands. In 2018 the area was admitted to the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, which is headquartered in France.

Cruising between the islands

Pearl Sea Resort is the base for enjoying Kujukushima from the water. The sightseeing boat Pearl Queen, with a white hull and wood-look interior, makes a cruise of about 50 minutes around the southern part of Kujukushima. For a limited period there is also a Sunset Cruise timed to the sunset.

Many islands that look separate at high tide join up into one at low tide, and from the deck you can take in islands whose names come from their shapes or from local legends. Other ways to get out on the sea include a catamaran yacht and sea kayaking.

Kujukushima Aquarium Umi Kirara

Kujukushima Aquarium Umi Kirara, inside the resort, reopened after renovation in 2009. Its highlight is the Kujukushima Bay Great Tank, which recreates the sea of Kujukushima, with rays, horse mackerel and sardines swimming in it.

The aquarium puts a lot of effort into its jellyfish, and the Jellyfish Symphony Dome shows many different kinds. There is also a dolphin tank, and seasonal events and special exhibitions are held.

Getting there

From outside JR Sasebo Station, take a bus bound for Pearl Sea Resort / Kujukushima Aquarium; it takes about 25 minutes, and the resort is right by the last stop. By car it is about 15 minutes from JR Sasebo Station, or about 7 minutes from the Sasebo-Chuo Interchange on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway. Parking is charged once you stay beyond a set time.

Boat departure times and fares, and the aquarium's opening hours, can change with the season, so check the official website before you go.

Tips

Sightseeing boats are sometimes cancelled because of the weather or other reasons. In late September 2026, sailings were briefly cancelled after a light bump while docking at the pier (normal service resumed on the 27th). Check the sailing information on the official website on the day.
Boats get crowded during long weekends and holidays. Even if you buy an advance ticket online, you need to exchange it at the counter for a boarding ticket with a set time.
Mirai, the sightseeing boat shaped like a pirate ship, is out of service for the time being as of September 2026.
Kujukushima Zoo and Botanical Garden Mori Kirara is nearby, and combined tickets for the boat, Umi Kirara and Mori Kirara are sometimes on sale.