Tsushima (対馬市) Travel Guide & City Profile

Last reviewed: October 23, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Tsushima (対馬市, Tsushima-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [t͡sɨ̥.ɕì.mä̀, -ɕí.mä̀, -ɕí.mä́.ɕì]) is an island city grouped in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It is the only city of Tsushima Subprefecture and it encompasses all of Tsushima Island, which lies in the Tsushima Strait north of Nagasaki on the western side of Kyushu, the southernmost mainland island of Japan. As of March 2017, the city has an estimated population of 31,550 and a population density of 45 persons per km2. Its total area is 708.61 km2, 17.3% of the area of Nagasaki Prefecture.

Within Nagasaki Prefecture (Kyushu region), Tsushima (対馬市) serves as a city in nagasaki prefecture. Travelers exploring Nagasaki often combine a stop in Tsushima with regional highlights such as Nagasaki Peace Park, Glover Garden & Dejima Dutch trading post, Mount Inasa ('10-million-dollar night view'), Hashima (Gunkanjima / Battleship Island), Unzen Onsen, Sasebo's Kujukushima islands, and Shimabara Castle.

Getting to Tsushima & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Nagasaki Station (West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome) & Sasebo Station): 1h 25m from Fukuoka (Hakata Station) via JR Relay Kamome + West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome.

• Local rail & IC cards: Once in Nagasaki Prefecture, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Nagasaki with Tsushima. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Nagasaki have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Tsushima en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Tsushima are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major Shinkansen station or airport in Nagasaki can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and countryside onsen. Read our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Tsushima & Nagasaki

Tsushima shares the culinary traditions of Nagasaki Prefecture and the wider Kyushu region. Don't miss these local specialties during your visit:

• Nagasaki Champon & Sara Udon (creamy wok-seared seafood/pork noodles) — a signature specialty across Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Castella sponge cake (introduced by 16th-century Portuguese traders) — a signature specialty across Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Toruko Rice (Turkish Rice) — a signature specialty across Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Sasebo Burger & Goto udon — a signature specialty across Nagasaki Prefecture.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Japanese Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Japanese dietary explanations at restaurants in Tsushima.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Jan–Feb for the vibrant Nagasaki Lantern Festival; October 7–9 for Nagasaki Kunchi; spring and autumn for harbor viewpoints and Unzen mountain hikes.

Regional highlights across Nagasaki Prefecture that pair well with a visit to Tsushima include: Nagasaki Peace Park, Glover Garden & Dejima Dutch trading post, Mount Inasa ('10-million-dollar night view'), Hashima (Gunkanjima / Battleship Island), Unzen Onsen, Sasebo's Kujukushima islands, and Shimabara Castle.

Practical Travel Tips for Tsushima

• Tourist information center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo counter inside or right outside the main train station in Tsushima (or at Nagasaki Station (West Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome) & Sasebo Station) for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Tsushima accept international cards and IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.