Kujukushima (99 Islands) — Sea Kayaking Paradise

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.