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Kujukushima (99 Islands)

Little knownBarely documented in English. This is the kind of place the site exists for.

Researched and written by Hinato

sea kayaking99 islandsisland hoppingSaseboadventure

Photo: STA3816 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · original

What sets Kujukushima (99 Islands) apart from other natural sites in Nagasaki is how much depends on conditions outside anyone's control.

Kujukushima ('99 islands,' though actually 208) is a scattering of forested islets across Omura Bay north of Sasebo — a drowned river valley landscape where every headland became an island when sea levels rose after the last ice age. The islands range from barely-emergent rocks to 10-hectare forested hills, creating a labyrinth of channels, hidden coves, and sea caves accessible primarily by kayak.

The water is exceptionally calm — the outer islands shelter the inner bay from Pacific swells — making Kujukushima ideal for beginner sea kayaking. The standard half-day tour (3 hours) explores 6–8 islands, landing on one uninhabited island for lunch on a deserted beach. The islands are so densely vegetated that most have never been cleared or developed; landing feels like discovering uncharted territory.

Plan your visit

Time to allow

3 hours (half-day) | 7 hours (full-day including uninhabited island lunch stop)

Hours

Tours typically 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (half-day) or 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (full-day) | Book 3 days ahead

Closed: Tours canceled in bad weather | No fixed closing day

Best time to visit

April–June and September–November for calmest seas and comfortable temperatures | June–August for sunset tours

Entry fee

Half-day tour: ¥5,500 (equipment and guide included) | Full-day: ¥9,000 | Overnight camping tour: ¥18,000

Finding your way there

Access notes

Tours depart from Kashimae Port, Sasebo City. Multiple operators; Kujukushima Kayak Center is the largest. Half-day tour: ¥5,500 including equipment and guide. Full-day: ¥9,000. No experience required. Book 3 days ahead.

What to bring

**Best season:** April–June and September–November offer the calmest seas and comfortable temperatures. July–August is hot but swimmable; December–February is cold but the winter light on the islands is exceptional for photography. **Sunset tour (summer):** June–August, evening tours (16:00–19:30) paddle through the islands at golden hour and return in twilight — the island silhouettes against the setting sun over the East China Sea are the defining Kujukushima image. **Overnight camping:** Advanced kayakers can book overnight island camping tours (2-day, ¥18,000) — paddle to an uninhabited island, camp on the beach, cook over driftwood fire, and return the next day. Limited to 8 participants; requires sea kayaking experience certificate.

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