Saikai

Saikai National Park, established in 1955, protects 24,646 hectares of spectacular coastal landscapes in Nagasaki Prefecture on Kyushu island in southwestern Japan. The park is characterized by the intricate ria coastline of the Kujukushima archipelago, where hundreds of verdant islands dot the waters of Omura Bay and the Sasebo Strait, creating a labyrinthine seascape of exceptional beauty. The name Saikai refers to the historic region, while Kujukushima literally means 99 islands, though the area actually contains over 200 islands and islets at high tide. Dense subtropical vegetation cloaks the islands in green, contrasting dramatically with the blue waters.