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Sasebo Port Calls Only: The Art of Japanese Ceramics & Scenic Archipelago Cruise – Sasebo to Saga
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Joined 2024
Experience a refined journey from Sasebo to Saga, combining Japan’s artistic heritage with natural beauty. Visit Arita, birthplace of Japanese porcelain, where elegant ceramics and contemporary Tosai-ga art await. Enjoy lunch served on exquisite Arita ware, then board a scenic cruise through the Kujukushima Archipelago, a ria coastline dotted with over 200 pine-clad islands. This private car tour offers comfort, cultural depth, and a uniquely Japanese sense of elegance.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Sasebo Port International Terminal
- Meeting point: Tourist Information Center in the main lobby, after the security area.
Kakiemon Kiln: Porcelain Art Gallery and Traditional Japanese Garden
The Kakiemon Kiln in Arita is renowned for its elegant, hand-painted porcelain with delicate red and blue designs. Visitors can explore a gallery showcasing centuries of craftsmanship and stroll through a serene traditional Japanese garden beside the historic kiln.
Estimated travel time: 20-minute drive
Kusaba Kazuhisa Studio: Tosai-ga (Ceramic Glaze Art) Gallery
Kusaba Kazuhisa Studio offers a rare and intimate experience of Tosai-ga, a vibrant ceramic glaze art blending light and color. His works combine the depth of glazing, the texture of impasto, and the brilliance of enamel, creating a unique Japanese expression. Entry is limited to just two groups per hour, allowing guests to quietly appreciate the works in a serene gallery space filled with spiritual beauty.
- Admission Fee
1,000 JPY (Per Person)
Lunch time: Gallery Café or Traditional Japanese Restaurant
Both options offer beautifully presented dishes served on exquisite Arita porcelain, creating an elegant dining experience you won’t find elsewhere.
Estimated travel time: 30-minute drive
Kujukushima Archipelago Cruise: Ticket Reception Hours
Kujukushima Archipelago Cruise
The Kujukushima Archipelago, meaning “ninety-nine islands” though there are more than 200, lies just off Sasebo. Pine-covered islets dot the calm ria coastline, creating one of Japan’s most scenic seascapes. A cruise offers the perfect way to enjoy its beauty and tranquil atmosphere.
- Admission Fee
2,400 JPY (Per Person)
Estimated travel time: 20-minute drive
Sasebo Port International Terminal
Tour ends at Sasebo Port International Terminal. Thank you, and see you again!
Ending Point
Sasebo Port International Terminal
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-Guiding fee
-My own private car (8-seater van “Nissan Serena”)
Non-smoking vehicle
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Front passenger seat with a sliding function for wheelchair users
-Free mobile Wi-Fi
-Free Apple Music and Netflix
-Driving fee
-Gasoline fee
-Parking fee
-Expressway tolls
-Guide gratuity
My accommodation cost for the night before
Cost of meals (guide and customers)
Entrance fees of facilities (guide and customers)
**Kusaba Kazuhisa Studio**
1,000 JPY (Per Person)
**Kujukushima Archipelago Cruise**
2,400 JPY (Per Person)
Tour Important Information
1.If you want to do cashless payments on your entire itinerary, please let me know in advance. I will need to have a payment machine ready.
2. Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
3. Extra time is assumed, but it is an itinerary that will be difficult to proceed if the meeting time is delayed. I hope we can meet on time:)
4. My car can accommodate up to 4 guests. If you are a group of 5 or more, please contact me so that I can arrange a rental-car tour;
**5-7 guests +33,000yen (8 person van)**
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Katsu N.
Hi, I’m glad you found my page!
I’m a local guide based in Kyushu who loves sharing the region’s history, food, and landscapes in a relaxed and friendly way. Think of me as someone who can make your trip comfortable and memorable, while keeping things easygoing and fun.
I began guiding to share the history, scenery, and food of my home with visitors from around the world. Before this, I worked in luxury retail, where I learned how important details and genuine hospitality are. Now I bring that same spirit to my tours, making sure every guest feels comfortable, cared for, and free to enjoy their journey.
I specialize in private car tours around Kyushu, so you don’t have to worry about train schedules or carrying luggage. We can stop where you like, take things at your own pace, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Onboard you’ll have free Wi-Fi, music, and a comfortable ride—perfect for families, couples, or friends who want both convenience and a touch of luxury.
Some of my favorite places to share are:
Nagasaki: Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and the city’s cultural blend
Fukuoka: Dazaifu Shrine, city highlights, and Yanagawa’s river cruise with eel dishes
Kumamoto: Mt. Aso’s volcanic views, Kumamoto Castle, and Kurokawa Onsen
Oita: Hita’s riverside town, plus Beppu and Yufuin hot springs
Saga: Arita’s ceramics and the Yoshinogari ancient site
Takachiho Gorge: A mystical canyon tied to Japanese legends
What I enjoy most is helping guests discover both famous sights and hidden corners of Kyushu, while keeping the experience comfortable and stress-free. Whether you’re drawn to culture, food, history, or beautiful scenery, I can adjust the plan to match your style.
I’d love to share my part of Japan with you and create memories that last long after your trip. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to send me a message. I look forward to welcoming you to Kyushu and showing you what makes this region so special!
Reviews
Grace P.
“Amazing Cruise Excursion in Nagasaki”
It was our first time visiting Nagasaki and we hired Mr Katsu as our local guide. I can say that he was very knowledgable, experienced and respectful. He prepared a good itinerary for us that perfectly aligned with our schedule. We were on a cruise and he made sure that we got back to our ship with ample time. Aside from taking us to important places, he also gave a brief history of the place that make the visit more meaningful. He speaks english though not fluently, but you can see his effort to convey his message across. His transport vehicle was clean, he driving was ok. He was fhoughtful because at the time of our visit, the cherries were not yet full bloom so he arranged a fresh flower arrangement inside his car. He was also our tour guide in Fukuoka. He took us to a restaurant where locals eat and we had a great lunch The cost of his service was reasonable. Highly recommended.
Susie W.
“Powerful Whirlpools & Cherry Blossoms.”
We spent a very interesting day with Katsu as our driver and tour guide, driving for approximately 1.5 hours out of Nagasaki. We especially enjoyed the drive to the Saikaibashi Park Walk Deck followed by the Cherry Blossoms. Katsu provided a number of photo stops in Nagasaki at Megan’s Bridge, Peace Park and others on the way to the Whirlpools. We had a traditional Japanese lunch at Nagasaki Fisheries Restaurant with the help of Katsu. Thank you Katsu for a very interesting and happy day from Nagasaki and for answering our many questions. Susie, Rob, Jilly and Hugh. Australia.
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Katsu N.
Hello everyone, /// Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I truly appreciate it. /// Today’s route was a newly designed tour, and you were the very first guests, so I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed it. /// In addition to Nagasaki, I can also guide you to many other wonderful places in Japan, so please feel free to contact me when you visit again. /// I look forward to seeing you again someday. /// Katsuhisa
Scott L.
“Extremely Friendly and Thoughtful”
Katsuhisa kept in regular contact with us leading up to the tour and allowed us to customize the tour to include the Miyajidake Shrine. When the forecast called for rain in the morning, Katsu rearranged the order of the tour so that we weren't too affected, and we even made it back to catch the sunset on the Path of Light. Beppu was very interesting and we enjoyed our lunch cooked by the onsen stream. His car is new and comfortable. We would highly recommend Katsu as your tour guide.
Katsu N.
Dear Scott and Fanta, /// Thank you very much for joining the tour and for your kind review. /// I was very happy that we were able to adjust the itinerary together in advance and include Miyajidake Shrine in your visit. I’m also glad that you were able to see the sunset on the “Path of Light.” By rearranging the order of the tour based on the weather forecast, we were fortunate to visit at a good time. /// I’m pleased to hear that you enjoyed Beppu’s Jigoku hot springs and the lunch cooked with the natural onsen steam. /// If you visit Japan again, I would be delighted to guide you to other parts of Kyushu as well. I hope to see you again in the future. /// Thank you again for traveling with me. /// Katsuhisa
$692/ per group
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