Sasebo

Sasebo is home to the U.S. Navy base, Fleet Activities Sasebo (FAS), and a base for the Japan Self-Defense Force. Sasebo is very English-ready for travels and a great place to slow down and enjoy Japan. While most Japanese cities are very busy Sasebo is calm and Japanese at the same time. The U.S. Navy has accommodation for military on base and veterans. There are about 5000 sailors and marines stationed in Sasebo and there is a designated area of Sasebo downtown known as Sailor Town. It's small and frequented by U.S. service members.

Tourist information site:

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site, which also covers nearby islands town, Ojika (小値賀).

By plane:

The nearest airport is in Nagasaki (Omura Airport, 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 hr 45 min, reversing direction at Haiki station, and the trip costs ¥2350 each way if booked online up to day of departure (¥2050 if booked 3 days in advance) or ¥4500 if booked in person at a ticket counter or ticket machine (Nov 2024). While the online booking system is not yet available in English, Google Translate or a basic knowledge of Japanese is sufficient and will save you significantly. In addition, online booking allows you to obtain an e-ticket with a QR code to scan at the ticket gates and on board, saving time at the station.

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) or spending a little more for the express train (see above). For a day trip you can also consider purchasing a JR Kyushu 1 day pass from a ticket shop for ¥3000-3500. If you still want to use the local trains, Sasebo is also connected to Nagasaki by the hourly Sea Side Liner rapid train (100 minutes, ¥1600, Nov 2024).

By bus:

Frequent highway buses connect the Hakata bus terminal in Fukuoka to Sasebo (about 2 hours, ¥2310 one-way or ¥4400 return). Bus tickets can be booked online here; online booking is generally cheaper (¥2260 one-way, ¥4160 return, or ¥7180 for a set of 4 tickets usable in either direction). (Prices as of Nov 2024.)