Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyūshū Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Sasebo is a core city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It is also the second largest city in Nagasaki Prefecture, after its capital, Nagasaki. On 1 June 2019, the city had an estimated population density of 581 persons per km² (1,505 persons per square mile). The total area is 426.06 km² (165 sq mi).

The city includes a part of Saikai National Park. Located in the southern part of the city is the Dutch-styled theme park Huis Ten Bosch. The island of Ukujima is administered as part of Sasebo city.

History The area of present-day Sasebo was a small fishing village under the control of nearby Hirado Domain until shortly after the start of the Meiji period. Imperial Japanese Navy Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō, when surveying the coasts of north-western Kyūshū for the site of a navy base, selected this location based on its protected, deep-water harbor, geographic proximity to China and Korea, and the presence of nearby coal fields.

Sasebo Naval District, founded in 1886, became the major port for the Japanese navy in its operations in the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War. It remained a major naval base to the end of World War II. Along with the base facilities, the navy also constructed the Sasebo Naval Arsenal, which included major shipyards and repair facilities.

Sasebo City was founded on April 1, 1902. The city suffered severe damage by United States bombing on June 29, 1945, during World War II. 48% of the city was destroyed. Sasebo was one of the original 17 targets considered by the United States as a target for the atomic bomb intended to end the war.

After the end of the war, part of the base facilities were taken over by the United States Navy, which formed U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo. Some parts of the base are shared with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, in particular the JMSDF. The primary base of the JGSDF's Western Army Infantry Regiment is also among the facilities there.

Mergers • On April 1, 2005, the towns of Sechibaru and Yoshii (both from Kitamatsuura District) were merged into Sasebo. • On March 31, 2006, the towns of Kosaza and Uku (both from Kitamatsuura District) were merged into Sasebo. • On March 31, 2010, the towns of Emukae and Shikamachi (both from Kitamatsuura District) were merged into Sasebo.

Economy Shipbuilding and associated heavy industries continue to dominate the economy of Sasebo. Adjacent to the naval base is the shipyard of Sasebo Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.

The Port of Sasebo has an active fishing fleet. In addition, many oyster and pearl farms are located on the Kujū-ku Islands.

The Mikawachi district has a 400-year-old pottery manufacturing industry.

Sasebo Station is the westernmost station in the JR passenger train system. It is about two hours by train from Hakata Station in the city of Fukuoka (via the Midori line) and about an hour and half from Nagasaki Station in the city of Nagasaki. Across the street from Sasebo Station is the Sasebo Bus Center, which provides connecting service to many local destinations.

Transport The nearest airport is Nagasaki Airport in the city of Ōmura. The Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) provides rail transportation on the Sasebo Line, whose terminal is at Sasebo Station. The daily Midori Express provides transportation to/from Fukuoka's Hakata Station.

Bus service to the Fukuoka Airport is available from the Sasebo Bus Center. Three national highways crisscross the city: Route 35, 204, and 498.

Points of interest • Hirado, to the north, was a foreign trade port and where William Adams is buried (James Clavell based his novel Shōgun (1975) on Adams' life) • Huis Ten Bosch (theme park) is inspired by a Dutch trading post in nearby Hirado • Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Museum • Kōzakihana, westernmost point on the island of Kyūshū • Kujū-ku Islands • Miuramachi Catholic Church a large church which was built in a neogothic style in 1930, is the symbol of Sasebo. It is opposite the main railway station in Miura-cho district. Sasebo is the only Japanese city that uses the image of a Christian church as part of its seal/flag. • Saikai Pearl Sea Resort • Sasebo Zoological Park and Botanical Garden • Tenkaihō • Ureshino, to the south, has hot springs resorts.