Tsushima Island travel guide: ferries, flights and wild coast

Where is Tsushima Island?

Tsushima lies in the Korea Strait between Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula. It belongs to Nagasaki Prefecture, yet its western shore is closer to South Korea than to much of Japan. On exceptionally clear days, the Korean coastline can be visible.

Japan’s national tourism organization describes Tsushima as the largest of Nagasaki’s islands: about 709 square kilometres, with mountain forest covering roughly 89 percent of the land. Terravel’s Tsushima place page maps the island and its split geography.

Should you fly or take the ferry to Tsushima?

JNTO lists short flights from both Fukuoka and Nagasaki, taking about 35 minutes. From Hakata Ferry Terminal in Fukuoka, the faster jetfoil to Izuhara takes roughly two hours and 15 minutes, while the regular ferry takes about four hours and 45 minutes.

Choose the flight when time is tight. Choose the ferry when the sea approach is part of the trip or your schedule and luggage make it more practical. Weather can affect marine services, so leave margin around onward connections.

How do you get around Tsushima?

A rental car is the most flexible choice because attractions are spread out and public transport is infrequent. Reserve early if you need an automatic vehicle, and check where your rental can be collected relative to the airport or ferry port.

Distances can look short on a map but take longer on winding roads. Build each day around one part of the island instead of repeatedly crossing it.

What should a first-time visitor see?

• Mt. Eboshi-dake: a broad view across the many coves and islands of Aso Bay.
• Aso Bay: the drowned coastline that gives central Tsushima its intricate shape.
• Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center: context for the endangered Tsushima leopard cat and the island’s isolation.
• Coastal observation points: time them for clear weather rather than forcing them into rain or low cloud.
• Local food: JNTO highlights rokube noodles made from sweet potatoes.

How many days do you need?

Two nights is a sensible minimum for a first visit with a car. Three nights lets you separate northern and southern routes, absorb a weather change and spend time walking rather than only driving between viewpoints.

Tsushima is best treated as a nature trip with cultural layers, not a checklist island. The forest, strait and borderland history are the destination.