How to Get to Gunkanjima: From Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka to the Nagasaki Boat Tours

Getting to Gunkanjima has two parts. The first is reaching the city of Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu. The second is taking a tour boat from a harbour in town out to Hashima, the island's official name. The two legs link up easily if you plan the timing, but without a spare day you can be caught out when a sailing is cancelled for rough weather.

The fastest way, in short

1. Pick a licensed boat tour company and book the sailing you want
2. Travel to Nagasaki by air or rail
3. Reach the boarding point before the stated check-in time, by tram or on foot
4. Board, listen to the announcements and follow guidance when landing

The sections below cover only the cities that Thai travellers actually use as gateways to Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka.

From Tokyo

From Tokyo there are domestic flights to Nagasaki Airport, taking a little over two hours in the air. The airport sits outside the city, so you transfer by bus into the Nagasaki Station area, roughly an hour or less. An all-rail trip is possible but involves several shinkansen and local changes and takes most of a day, so it suits rail-pass users or travellers who dislike flying. Compare flight and train times with the sailing you plan to book.

From Osaka and Kyoto

From Osaka or Kyoto the main route is the shinkansen west to Hakata, then a limited express on the Nagasaki line to Nagasaki Station. Depending on the service you catch, there may be a short change on the way. Flights from the Osaka airports to Nagasaki also exist. Check how many changes each option needs and whether seats are reserved.

From the airport or nearby cities

From Fukuoka, travellers usually take a Kyushu limited express toward Nagasaki, roughly two hours in total. Highway buses can cost less but vary with traffic. If you land at Nagasaki Airport, take the airport bus into the city and get off near your hotel, checking whether a stop near the hotel exists if you are not staying by the station.

Train, bus and rental car

For Gunkanjima specifically, a rental car is rarely needed, because trams cover the city well and the boats leave from the central harbour.

Passes and tickets that may apply

A rail pass covering northern Kyushu can pay off if you chain several cities such as Fukuoka, Sasebo and Nagasaki. For a single round trip to Nagasaki, ordinary tickets may be cheaper. Pass prices and conditions change, so check the official sites. Within Nagasaki city there are day tickets for the trams that can help if you ride several times.

Luggage and booking

Sailings are limited and often fill during long holidays or spring. Book ahead and read the operator's terms for cancellation when seas are rough. Leave large bags at the hotel or in a station locker, since you should not carry much on the boat or the island. Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes, and a thin rain jacket helps on days when spray comes over the side.

While you manage both legs you will keep opening maps, checking train times and reading messages from the tour company. An eSIM saves you from hunting for wifi at the station or harbour.

A common mistake is arriving in Nagasaki on the same day as the sailing without any buffer. If a train or flight runs late, the boat is easily missed. Another is booking the boat before checking how far the meeting point is from your hotel. If possible, arrive in Nagasaki the night before.

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