The MWR Travel & Tours office at Fleet Activities Sasebo is one of the best-kept secrets for military families stationed in Kyushu. From onsen hopping in the mountains to taiko drum concerts in Nagasaki, the MWR tour program offers organized, affordable trips that eliminate the logistics barrier of exploring Japan.
How sign-ups work
All registrations go through the MWR Travel & Tours office. Key rules:
- No walk-ups at tour departures. You must register in advance.
- Day tour deadlines fall on the Thursday before the scheduled tour date unless otherwise noted.
- Online sign-up is available at myffr.navyaims.com/saseborec.html (currently offline; register in person or by phone).
- Contact: DSN 252-3433 or commercial 0956-50-3433. Office hours 1000-1800.
Prices include transportation. Meals are generally on your own unless noted. Departures are from Main Base (MB) and Hario Housing with staggered times.
Spring 2025 tour highlights
Sasebo's MWR program runs a rotating calendar of day trips and overnight excursions throughout the year. Here is what is on the schedule for the current season.
Onsen and hot spring tours
Kurokawa Spa (Onsen Hopping) — $60 adult / $55 child Choose from more than 20 outdoor hot springs in one of Japan's most celebrated onsen villages. Kurokawa is regularly ranked among the top onsen destinations in the country. The town itself is walkable, lined with wooden inns and stone paths.
Yufuin Adventure Tour — $55 all seats Yufuin in Oita Prefecture mixes hot spring baths with boutique cafes and volcanic scenery. A solid day trip if you want onsen access plus a walkable town center with shops and restaurants.
The Aqua Garden — $75 adult / $60 child Open-air hot spring facility with salt saunas, mineral therapy pools, and relaxation areas. A newer addition to the rotation and one of the more comprehensive onsen experiences on the tour calendar.
Unzen Adventure Tour — $55 adult / $45 under 5y Ride a ropeway to Nita Pass, walk through sulfur pits, and take in Unzen's hot spring "Hells" — the geothermal vents that give the area its name. The contrast between mountain views and volcanic activity makes this one of the more visually dramatic day trips.
Cultural and historical tours
Nagasaki City Day Tour — $50 adult / $45 junior / $35 child Covers Peace Park, the Atomic Bomb Museum, and other historical sites. This is the tour to take if you have not been to Nagasaki yet. The museum and park are essential, and the MWR bus eliminates the 90-minute drive each way.
Yanagawa Hina Festival — $60 adult / $50 child A boat ride through Yanagawa's scenic canals plus a visit to the Ohana Estate and Gardens, which date back over 400 years. The Hina Festival displays traditional dolls and decorations marking Girls' Day.
Shrines and Temples in Fukuoka — $55 adult / $45 junior and under Three of Fukuoka's most historic religious sites in one trip. Good for families who want cultural depth without planning the train routes themselves.
Japanese Tea Ceremony (Hirado) — $45 all seats Cross to Hirado Island for an authentic tea ceremony experience. A quieter, more intimate tour — limited to 18 seats.
Art and hands-on experiences
Ceramic Art Making at Shidayaki Pottery Factory — $55 all seats Travel to Ureshino, a hot spring town known for porcelain. Design and make your own ceramic piece at the Shidayaki factory. Good for families who want a souvenir they actually made.
Hasami Pizza & Pottery Village Tour — $35 all seats Tour the pottery village of Hasami, explore one of the world's largest climbing kilns (Edo Period, 1603-1868), and make pizza baked in that same kiln. One of the most unique day trips on the MWR calendar and the best value at $35.
Hidden Village in Mikawachi — $45 adult / $40 junior / $25 infant Visit the Mikawachi Ceramics and History Museum, tour traditional kilns, and paint your own Mikawachi-inspired design. Mikawachi porcelain has been produced in this area since the 1600s.
Glass Art Making at Ikitsuki Island — $55 all seats Take the bridge to Hirado, then cross to Ikitsuki Island for glass art production and a short island tour. A Mother's Day special edition of this tour runs in May.
A Cultural Experience in Emukae — $50 adult / $45 6-12y / $30 under 5y New to the tour calendar. Emukae is a small town absorbed into Sasebo's city limits in 2010 that maintains its own identity, traditions, and local sake. A good option for people who have done the major tours and want something off the beaten path.
Adventure and nature
Forest Adventure Yoshinogari — $70 all seats Zip-lining through the forest canopy at the Yoshinogari Historical Park. Suitable for first-timers and experienced riders. The park also contains reconstructed Yayoi-period dwellings if you want to add a history component.
Dolphin Watching & Japan's Longest Foot Bath — $80 adult / $65 12y and under Dolphin watching off the Shimabara Peninsula, followed by a walk through Japan's longest foot bath. The dolphins are wild, not captive, and sightings are common in the waters around the peninsula.
Cat Island (Ainoshima) — $70 adult / $55 child / $45 under 5 Ainoshima, a small island off the coast of Fukuoka, is home to a large population of feral cats that outnumber the human residents. A niche but popular tour that books quickly.
Takachiho Gorge and Tsujunkyo Sightseeing — $55 adults / children under 6 not permitted Trip to the northwestern part of Miyazaki Prefecture in the center of the Kyushu Mountains. Takachiho Gorge is one of Kyushu's most photographed natural landmarks. Note the age restriction — not suitable for infants.
Greenland Amusement Park — $85 adult / prices decrease by age Japan's largest roller coaster and one of its tallest Ferris wheels. A full day at the park with transport included. Good for families with kids who need a break from cultural tours.
Overnights and special events
Kumamoto & Mount Aso Overnight — from $155 to $180 depending on room type, breakfast included Two-day trip covering Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Park, Mount Aso (an active volcano), Kusasenri, and Daikanbo. Mount Aso's Nakadake crater is one of the most accessible active volcanic vents in the world. Refund deadline applies.
Nagoya Honen Festival (Overnight) — from $130 to $435 depending on room type The Tagata Honen Festival in Nagoya is one of Japan's most distinctive fertility festivals. Limited availability and parental discretion advised.
TAO! Taiko Drum Concert in Nagasaki — $90 SS seating Tribal-costumed drummers with acrobatic taiko performance. A 90-minute bus ride each way for a 2-hour show, but the production value makes it worth the travel.
Unzen Kanoh Kaen Fire Festival — $70 all seats Nagasaki's largest fire festival, with 200 participants in samurai costumes carrying flaming torches through cherry trees at Tachibana Park. Currently fully booked — check for cancellations.
SoftBank Hawks vs. DeNA BayStars — $70 all seats Japanese professional baseball at Fukuoka PayPay Dome. June event listed as a sneak peek; registration dates TBD.
Planning tips
- Book early. Popular tours (onsen trips, Cat Island, fire festivals) sell out. When a tour says "limited availability," it means it.
- Check departure points. Most tours depart from both Main Base and Hario Housing with different times. Know which one you are at.
- Budget meals separately. Unless the tour description mentions food, plan to buy lunch at the destination or bring your own.
- Pack for the weather and the activity. Onsen tours require a towel and willingness to be nude in mixed-gender or gender-separated facilities. Zip-lining requires closed-toe shoes. Ceramic tours may get messy.
- Use these as reconnaissance. MWR tours are a low-risk way to visit places you might want to return to on your own later. Once you know the route, the train schedule, and what the destination offers, you can plan independent return trips with more flexibility on timing and budget.
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This guide covers MWR Travel & Tours available through Fleet Activities Sasebo. For current pricing, availability, and registration, contact the MWR Travel & Tours office at DSN 252-3433 or commercial 0956-50-3433, or visit myffr.navyaims.com/saseborec.html.