'''Sasebo''' ({{Lang|ja|______}}) is the second-largest city in Nagasaki prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan.

Understand

Sasebo is home to a U.S. Navy base, as well as a base for the Japan Self Defense Force.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is in Nagasaki,(Omura Airport located 30 min to 1 hour away from Nagasaki by car) from which you can reach Sasebo by bus (80 minutes, \1350).

Another nearby airport is in Fukuoka, from which you can reach Sasebo by bus (about 2 hours, \2200).

By train

Sasebo, the terminating station on the '''JR Omura Line''', is the westernmost point on the entire Japan Railway.

Sasebo is connected to Hakata station, the last stop on the San'yo Shinkansen in Fukuoka, by the ''Midori'' limited express train. The train reaches Sasebo in 1 3/4 hours, reversing direction at Haiki station, and the trip costs \3740 each way. For its price, it is probably of use only to '''Japan Rail Pass''' holders (where the train can be taken at no additional charge), or to passengers transferring from the Shinkansen.

Local trains from Hakata cost only \2070, but can take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours, requiring a multiple change of trains; in which case, you're better off using the bus (see below). Taking the Midori Limited Express, a one-way ticket from Hakata to Sasebo cost \2500, return tickets cost \4500. The ride will only take about 1 hr and 47 minutes.

Sasebo is also connected to Nagasaki by the hourly ''Sea Side Liner'' rapid train (100 minutes, \1600).

By bus

Frequent highway buses connect the Hakata bus terminal in Fukuoka to Sasebo (about 2 hours, \2200).

You can also take an overnight bus from other parts of the country into Fukuoka or Nagasaki, and connect to another bus or train for the final run to Sasebo.

Get around

Downtown Sasebo and shopping arcade are easily accessable on foot. For outlying areas, bus service or taxis are recommended. Unlike other major metropolitan cities in Japan, Sasebo has no subway or train system connecting various inner city points. It also lacks the street car system of Nagasaki, therefore if you do not have a car, you will need to hire a rental vehicle, or use other reasources.

See

  • Sasebo's most famous tourist attraction is '''Huis ten Bosch''' (''Hausu ten Bosu''), a Dutch-themed amusement park. A one-day passport to the park costs \4,800. (Tel. 0956-27-0001). Be sure to see the fireworks every evening at 2048H. [http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp]www.huistenbosch.co.jp
  • Do

    '''Sasebo City Zoo''' - a small zoo that tries extremely hard to show animals various types of animals, but which are common to Japan or to other zoos, eg. an elephant, peguins and the like. Entrance fee is \300 for adults, \100 for school aged children, and children under 6 are free. Outside food and picnics are allowed in the zoo.

    '''Pearl Island Resort, Sasebo Aquarium and IMAX Theater''' - A small shopping mall with small speciality shops and restaurants. Aquarium is small and shows animals unique to the Sasebo area and currents around Nagasaki Prefecture and surrounding Islands.

    '''Kenji Jojima Memorial Museum''': Visit Kenji Jojima's museum detailing his rise as baseball player from the kiddie leagues to the Seattle Mariners.

    '''Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces Museum''' - See the glorious history of the Japanese SDF.

    99 Islands tour on a pirate ship located at Kashimai pier.

    Buy

  • The famous Sasebo City '''spinning tops''' can be purchased in the shopping arcade(Yonkacho)
  • Pualani Flower shop is locally owned and has been open for almost 2 years. Pualani is located in Haiki, near Haiki Middle School.(Haiki 2-46-19 ph.0956-39-2996, [mailto:pualani-sasebo@hotmail.com pualani-sasebo@hotmail.com]) The flower shop ownership is shared by an American and a Japanese national. Offers a wide variety of fresh flowers, plants, trees, preserved flowers and imported gifts for that special someone. The shop caters to both Japanese and Americans, as both Japanese and English are spoken fluently. Please visit our shop or call to place a delivery order. Free deliveries on purchases over $40.00 (Y4000). Credit cards are now accepted for phone orders.
  • Eat

  • The most famous food in Sasebo is American-style '''hamburgers''', owing to the influence of the US Navy in the city.
  • Look for restaurants that are "certified" by the Sasebo Burger Association, that way you'll know you are getting the "real" deal. Most certified shops are located in the downtown Sasebo area.

    Drink

    Sleep

    There are plenty of hotels along the main street parallel to the shopping arcade (Gyoncho). Also, there is a old school capsule hotel with sauna.

    Get out