Things to Do in Tsushima (対馬市), Nagasaki: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Tsushima (対馬市) in Nagasaki Prefecture (Kyushu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Ai-jima (1.5 km), Tsurumo Zaki (2.2 km), Ariake Mountain (1.5 km) and served by Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) via the regional hub at Nagasaki Station (West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome) & Sasebo Station. Set at 6 m elevation (34.2000°N, 129.2833°E), Tsushima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Nagasaki Champon & Sara Udon (creamy wok-seared seafood/pork noodles), Castella sponge cake (introduced by 16th-century Portuguese traders), Toruko Rice (Turkish Rice) cuisine and exploring neighboring Iki (壱岐市) (62.6 km), Hirado (平戸市) (95.8 km), Genkai (玄海町) (97 km), Matsuura (松浦市) (103.3 km).

It is the only city of Tsushima Subprefecture and it encompasses all of Tsushima Island, which lies in the Tsushima Strait north of Nagasaki on the western side of Kyushu, the southernmost mainland island of Japan. The city of Tsushima is located on Tsushima Island and other small neighbouring islands, lying slightly to the west side of Tsushima Strait, south of the Sea of Japan and north-east of the East China Sea. The island also lies between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese mainland. An Imperial decree in July 1899 established Izuhara, Sasuna, and Shishimi as open ports for trading with the United States and the United Kingdom. On April 1, 1975, Toyotama Village was promoted to the status of a town. Within Nagasaki Prefecture, Tsushima (対馬市) serves as a city in Nagasaki Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2004-03-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Nagasaki Peace Park, Glover Garden & Dejima Dutch trading post, Mount Inasa ('10-million-dollar night view'), Hashima (Gunkanjima / Battleship Island), Unzen Onsen, Sasebo's Kujukushima islands, and Shimabara Castle.

What to See & Do in Tsushima (対馬市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Tsushima (対馬市) from Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) at 6 m elevation (34.2000°N, 129.2833°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Tsushima):

• Ai-jima (1.5 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tsushima (対馬市).
• Tsurumo Zaki (2.2 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tsushima (対馬市).
• Ariake Mountain (1.5 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tsushima (対馬市).
• Shimo-shima (4.3 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tsushima (対馬市).
• Mount Shimizu — local sightseeing landmark near Tsushima (対馬市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Tsushima: Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) (connecting to Nagasaki Station (West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome) & Sasebo Station).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Tsushima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Tsushima (対馬市) and Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Nagasaki Prefecture and Kyushu:

• Iki (壱岐市) — 62.6 km from Tsushima (Nagasaki Prefecture)
• Hirado (平戸市) — 95.8 km from Tsushima (Nagasaki Prefecture)
• Genkai (玄海町) — 97 km from Tsushima (Saga Prefecture)
• Matsuura (松浦市) — 103.3 km from Tsushima (Nagasaki Prefecture)
• Karatsu (唐津市) — 104.7 km from Tsushima (Saga Prefecture)

Getting to Tsushima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Tsushima (対馬市) via Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka): 1h 25m from Fukuoka (Hakata Station) via JR Relay Kamome + West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome. From Nagasaki Station (West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome) & Sasebo Station, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) to reach central Tsushima (34.2000°N, 129.2833°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Nagasaki with Tsushima (対馬市) and neighboring Iki, Hirado, Genkai. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Tsushima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Tsushima and continuing toward Iki can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Tsushima: While Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) anchors public transit for Tsushima, picking up a rental car at Nagasaki Station (West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome) & Sasebo Station makes it easy to link Ai-jima (1.5 km) and Tsurumo Zaki (2.2 km) with nearby Iki (壱岐市) (62.6 km), Hirado (平戸市) (95.8 km), Genkai (玄海町) (97 km), Matsuura (松浦市) (103.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Tsushima (対馬市) & Nagasaki

Dining near Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) and across Tsushima (対馬市) highlights the regional food culture of Nagasaki Prefecture and Kyushu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Tsushima:

• Local specialty & terroir of Tsushima (対馬市): nashi pear orchards and seasonal fruit farming.
• Nagasaki Champon & Sara Udon (creamy wok-seared seafood/pork noodles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tsushima (対馬市) and Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Castella sponge cake (introduced by 16th-century Portuguese traders) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tsushima (対馬市) and Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Toruko Rice (Turkish Rice) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tsushima (対馬市) and Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Sasebo Burger & Goto udon — regional specialty enjoyed across Tsushima (対馬市) and Nagasaki Prefecture.

If you are dining in Tsushima (対馬市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka).

Where to Stay in Tsushima (対馬市)

Visitors staying overnight in Tsushima (対馬市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka), or base at major rail hubs in Nagasaki (Nagasaki Station (West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome) & Sasebo Station) or neighboring Iki, Hirado, Genkai for quick train access into Tsushima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Tsushima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Tsushima (対馬市, 6 m elevation at 34.2000°N, 129.2833°E): Jan–Feb for the vibrant Nagasaki Lantern Festival; October 7–9 for Nagasaki Kunchi; spring and autumn for harbor viewpoints and Unzen mountain hikes.

Wider sightseeing across Nagasaki Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Ai-jima (1.5 km) in Tsushima (対馬市) includes: Nagasaki Peace Park, Glover Garden & Dejima Dutch trading post, Mount Inasa ('10-million-dollar night view'), Hashima (Gunkanjima / Battleship Island), Unzen Onsen, Sasebo's Kujukushima islands, and Shimabara Castle.

Practical Travel Tips for Tsushima (対馬市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Tsushima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Nagasaki Station (West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome) & Sasebo Station or Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) for local bus schedules to Ai-jima (1.5 km) and walking maps of Tsushima (対馬市).
• Cash & ATMs in Tsushima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Ai-jima (1.5 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Tsushima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Tsushima: Around Tsushima Airport (TSJ) · Izuhara Port & Hitakatsu Port (Jetfoil & ferry to Hakata Port in Fukuoka) and neighboring Iki, Hirado, Genkai, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.