NAGASAKI AND BEYOND: Explore nearby countries

TEXT: Emmanuel Feliciano

Layout and design: Charlotte Gautier

DISCLAIMER: As of this writing, several flights to and from some of these destinations have been suspended due to corona virus prevention measures. You may check the websites of the featured airports for the latest updates.

For those who want to escape the local tourism rush in Japan during Golden Week, why not explore nearby countries! Sounds too grand? It’s easy and you’ll probably spend the same amount of money as in Japan, trust me.

One of the advantages of being in the southern part of Japan is that Nagasaki is closer to other countries in Asia. These destinations are accessible through Nagasaki Airport and other nearby airports. Let’s take a look at some of these international destinations.

SOUTH KOREA

With the new tourism tagline ‘Imagine your Korea,’ South Korea diversifies its tourism offerings and brands itself as more than just the land of beauty and K-pop. Nagasaki Airport has flights to and from Seoul. A cheaper option is nearby Saga airport, which has flights to both Seoul and Busan. Fukuoka International Airport also has flights to these two destinations, carried by both full service and low-cost airlines.

CHINA

Enjoy both traditional and modern experiences in China’s biggest city and one of the world’s major financial hubs. There are flights to Shanghai via Nagasaki Airport. Saga Airport has flights carried by Spring Airlines which fly every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Shanghai, as well as Beijing, and the provincial port city Dalian, can also be accessed through Fukuoka International Airport.

HONG KONG

Want to head to one of the most visited cities in the world? Hong Kong Express has recently made it possible to fly direct from Nagasaki Airport to Hong Kong, and it only takes three hours and fifty minutes. Not bad right? There are flights every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. You can also fly to Hong Kong via Fukuoka International Airport.

Though Nagasaki Airport has flights to only three international destinations, Fukuoka Airport, which is only around two hours away from Nagasaki City and less than two hours away from Sasebo, has direct flights to other nearby countries. Check out these destinations where you can fly in less than five hours.

TAIWAN

Next to South Korea, Taiwan is among the nearest international destinations from Kyushu. It is hailed as one of the world’s best food destinations. And don’t forget milk tea! You can fly to Taipei or Kaohsiung in less than three hours.

THE PHILIPPINES

Just south of Taiwan is the Philippines, a tropical destination all year round. If you want to go to some of the best beaches and resorts in the world, then this is a must-visit destination. There are daily flights to Metro Manila (it takes only three hours and forty minutes), and from there you can connect to the local airports nearest your chosen beach.

U.S.A (GUAM)

Surprisingly to some, flying to Guam takes just about the same time as flying to other Asian countries. Jeju Air and United Airlines code sharing with ANA flies direct from Fukuoka Airport. It only takes an average of three hours and forty-five minutes.

Other destinations that take more than five hours but have direct flights from Fukuoka Airport include: Vietnam – 5 hours and 5 minutes (via Hanoi, with Vietnam Airlines) Singapore – 6 hours and 35 minutes (with Singapore Airlines) Malaysia – 6 hours and 35 minutes (via Kuala Lumpur, with Air Asia)