Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video!! This is the Saikai City Tourism Association. Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, sits in the northern part of the Nishisonogi Peninsula, roughly halfway between Nagasaki City and Sasebo City. It’s a place where you can feel rich nature and history. The city is bordered on three sides by the Goto-nada Sea, Sasebo Bay, and Omura Bay, and most of the area consists of complex ria coastlines. Saikai City is surrounded by a beautiful coastline and abundant nature, making it an attractive destination for visitors. We will introduce recommended information about Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, on Cool Japan Video, so please enjoy. ◇◇◇ Access to Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture There is no train network in Saikai City, so you can reach it by car or bus. ◇ Access by car from Nagasaki city center It takes about one hour to drive from Nagasaki city to Saikai City. Use the Nagasaki Expressway and follow the Saikai Pearl Line to reach the city. This route offers a scenic drive along the beautiful coastline. ◇ Bus access from Nagasaki Station From Nagasaki Station, take Nagasaki Bus or Saikai Kotsu to Saikai City Hall; the trip takes about 1 hour 35 minutes. ◇ Bus access from Sasebo Station Take Saihi Bus to Saikai Bridge West Exit; the ride takes about 50 minutes. ◇◇◇ About Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture The population is about 25,000 people (as of 2024), and the area is characterized by a rich lifestyle lived in harmony with nature. Agriculture and fishing thrive here, and you can enjoy fresh local produce. Saikai City is especially known as a mandarin orange producing area, harvesting many crops thanks to its warm climate and fertile soil. ◇◇◇ History of Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture The western part of the Nishisonogi Peninsula and nearby islands prospered as whaling bases from the 1630s. From the Meiji era onward, coal mining began and the area enjoyed great prosperity. Later, in 2005, the five towns of Seihi, Ooshimacho, Saikai, Oseto, and Sakito merged to form the present Saikai City. ◇◇◇ Popular sightseeing spots in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture Saikai City has many popular attractions. Here are some of them. ◇ Nagao Castle Ruins Observatory From the observation deck you can take in the islands of the Goto-nada Sea, and the fiery red sunset sinking into the sea is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s a popular spot for spectacular photos. ◇ Hachiningatake Park This park sits on the central ridge of the Nishisonogi Peninsula, and the lookout at the summit offers panoramic views of Omura Bay. The distant sea and mountains show different faces each season. ◇ The smallest park in Japan On Matsushima, floating off the west side of the Nishisonogi Peninsula in the Goto-nada Sea, there is “the smallest park in Japan,” with a natural wooden bench and a single palm-like shuro tree. From the park you can gaze across the open ocean. ◇ Sakito Seaside Park Sakito Seaside Park features clear waters and white sandy beaches. With toilets and showers available, it’s a recommended spot for summer visitors. ◇ Nanatsugama Cave Nanatsugama Cave is a limestone cave that rose from the seabed about 30 million years ago. Part of the cave is open to visitors. Admission: Adults 800 yen per person, Junior high students 400 yen per person, Elementary students 200 yen per person Infants (age 4 and over) 100 yen per person So far 35 cave sites have been discovered, but this vast cave system still has many aspects that remain unexplored. ◇ Roadside Station Saikai Roadside Station Saikai is a popular spot where you can buy local specialties and souvenirs. The original gelato and soft serve ice cream are especially recommended. The facility features a large semi-spherical dome shaped like a mandarin orange, offering visitors a fun experience. ◇◇◇ Experiences you can enjoy in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture In Saikai City you can enjoy a variety of experiences broadly categorized as sea experiences, mountain experiences, and craft-making experiences. Here are some examples. ◇ Mandarin-picking experience Saikai City is known as one of the prefecture’s leading mandarin producing regions, and during the harvest season (typically November) you can enjoy mandarin picking. Picking fresh mandarins yourself is popular with families, and you can savor their juicy flavor right away. ◇◇◇ Local specialties of Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture ◇ Unshu mandarins (Satsuma mandarins) Saikai City’s Unshu mandarins enjoy a high reputation nationwide. There are early varieties such as Haraguchi early mandarin orange (late October to early December) and extra-early varieties such as Iwasaki early mandarin orange (late September to October). Grown in a warm climate and fertile soil, these mandarins are sweet and juicy and signal the arrival of winter. ◇ Oshima Tomatoes Saikai City’s Oshima Tomatoes are known for intense sweetness and acidity and are a popular local specialty (season: February to early May). Their high sugar content makes them taste almost like fruit. These specialties are also popular as hometown tax return gifts. ◇◇◇ Tourist information for Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture Surrounded by rich natural environments with a variety of attractions and experiences, Saikai City offers new discoveries each time you visit. We will continue to share more recommended information about Saikai City on Cool Japan Video, so please look forward to it!!