3 Photogenic Spots to Visit in Sasebo

With beautiful views of the sea and islands and streets filled with an international atmosphere, the port city of Sasebo is dotted with places that will make you want to reach for your camera. Here are three photogenic spots to visit on your next trip to Sasebo.

Just steps from Sasebo Station, Portside Park offers relaxing views of the harbor accompanied by a refreshing sea breeze. At Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort, you can discover the beauty of the Kujukushima Islands both aboard a sightseeing cruise and inside the aquarium. And at Huis Ten Bosch, European-inspired streets are transformed by seasonal flowers and spectacular illuminations.

From the refreshing blue skies and sea during the day to the soft colors reflected on the water at sunset and sparkling illuminations after dark, each spot reveals a different side depending on the time of day. Explore Sasebo with your camera in hand, and you may find stories unique to this charming port city hidden within its scenery.

Capture Everyday Life in a Port City at Portside Park

Located just outside the Minato Exit of JR Sasebo Station, Portside Park is an ideal first stop after arriving in the city. Its convenient location also makes it easy to visit while waiting for a train, while its waterfront setting offers a refreshing sense of openness unique to a port city.

Stretching out before you is Sasebo Port, with boats constantly coming and going. Capture the blue sea and sky together with the vessels lining the waterfront for a bright, open photograph that captures the character of Sasebo.

The spacious park is also perfect for a leisurely stroll while enjoying the scent of the sea and the ocean breeze. Inside the park, you will find Xiamen Garden, a monument celebrating Sasebo’s friendship with the Chinese city of Xiamen. The scenery is refreshing during the day, while at sunset, colorful skies reflected on the water and boats silhouetted against the horizon create an atmospheric view. During the season when the park hosts the “Hikari no Minato SASEBO” illumination event, you can also enjoy the harbor beautifully decorated with lights.

Next to the park is Sasebo Gobangai, a waterfront shopping complex with more than 70 stores. Combine your visit with shopping or a meal for an easygoing day by the harbor.

Hours	Open 24 hours
Address	226-1 Shinkou-cho and surrounding area, Sasebo, Nagasaki
Access	SASEBO WASHINGTON HOTEL: A 5-min walk.
URL	https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Attraction_Review-g298217-d20903512-Reviews-Portside_Park-Sasebo_Nagasaki_Prefecture_Kyushu.html

Capture Two Sides of Kujukushima—Above and Below the Water—at Pearl Sea Resort

Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort is the gateway to the Kujukushima Islands in Saikai National Park. More than simply admiring the islands from the shore, visitors can experience the seascape up close through sightseeing cruises and a variety of marine activities.

One of the most popular experiences is a sightseeing cruise winding its way between the Kujukushima Islands. Step out onto the deck and capture refreshing views of lush green islands layered against the blue sea. As the boat travels along its route, the islands continually shift in appearance, creating new scenery at every turn.

Kujukushima Aquarium Umi Kirara, located within the resort, is another must-visit spot for photography lovers. At the large aquarium tank recreating the waters of Kujukushima, you can photograph an underwater world illuminated by natural light, while the Jellyfish Symphony Dome offers dreamy scenes of jellyfish drifting gently through soft light.

Outdoors, capture the sea and sightseeing boats in the background; indoors, turn your camera toward fascinating marine life. The chance to take completely different kinds of photographs in one destination is part of the resort’s appeal. With shops and restaurants also available, it is an ideal place to spend half a day or even a full day.

Hours	Vary by facility. Please check the official website for sightseeing cruise schedules and the latest opening hours for each facility and shop.
Address	1008 Kashimae-cho, Sasebo, Nagasaki
Access	SASEBO WASHINGTON HOTEL: Walk to the Sasebo Station bus stop, then take a bus bound for “Pearl Sea Resort / Kujukushima Aquarium.” Approx. 25 min by bus.
URL	https://www.pearlsea.jp/en/

Flowers and Lights Make Huis Ten Bosch Photogenic Day and Night

With brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and canals stretching throughout the park, Huis Ten Bosch makes you feel as though you have stepped into Europe. The streetscape itself is picturesque, and simply walking through its plazas, across its bridges, and along the canals reveals one photogenic scene after another.

Seasonal flowers are another highlight. When tulips, roses, and other blooms fill the park, frame a windmill or European-style building beyond the flower fields for a colorful photograph that instantly evokes Huis Ten Bosch.

Umbrella Street, where colorful umbrellas fill the sky overhead, is another classic photo spot that is easy to enjoy regardless of the weather. The colors of the umbrellas change with the seasons, while at night, lighting effects transform the street into a magical scene.

After sunset, the bright and elegant streets of the daytime give way to a sparkling world of illuminations. Capture lights reflected on the water or illuminated buildings to create photographs completely different from those taken in daylight. Following the scenery as it changes with the seasons and time of day is one of the greatest pleasures of photographing Huis Ten Bosch.

Hours	Vary by day. Please check the official website for the latest opening hours.
Address	1-1 Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo, Nagasaki
Access	SASEBO WASHINGTON HOTEL: Walk to JR Sasebo Station, then take a JR train to Huis Ten Bosch Station (approx. 20 min). A 7-min walk from the station to the park entrance.
URL	https://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/