free bootstrap template

ACCESS

GETTING THERE GETTING AROUND

GETTING TO HIRADO

By Bus

The easiest way to reach Hirado with public transport

Buses to Sasebo Bus Centre:
Express buses from Fukuoka (Tenjin & Hakata Station) take about 2 hours (40x a day)
Express buses from Fukuoka Airport take about 1 hour 40 minutes (18x a day) The airport bus stop is at the international terminal, free shuttle buses available to domestic terminal.

Express buses from Nagasaki take 1 hour 40 minutes (26x day)
Express buses from Nagasaki Airport take 1 hour 40 minutes (16x a day)

Buses to Hirado Sanbashi Bus Centre:
Buses to Hirado take about 1 hour 30 minutes (15x a day)

By Train

The best option for those with a JR rail pass. 

Trains to JR Sasebo Station:
JR Express trains from Fukuoka (Hakata Station) take 1 hour 50 minutes (15x a day)
JR Express trains from Nagasaki Station take about 2 hours (12x a day)

Trains to Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station:
Private Matsuura Railway (MR) line
From Sasebo all trains take 1 hour 30 minutes (20x a day)
Alternatively you could travel by MR from Arita with transfer in Imari which will take 1 hour 40 minutes (13x a day)

Please Note: If Hirado city centre is your destination you will need to walk down the Tabira main street and take a bus (10 minutes) from the Hiradoguchi Sanbashi Bus Centre to the Hirado Sanbashi Bus Centre in the city centre. Direct buses from Sasebo will be quicker.

By Car

The  quickest way to reach Hirado

From Fukuoka: (2 hours 15 min)
Take the Fukuoka Urban Expressway (toll) westwards out of Fukuoka in the direction of Nishi-Kyushu Expressway. Keep going straight and get off at Minamihata-Taniguchi IC. Turn right onto the 297 towards Hirado. Turn left onto the 204 and soon after that right again towards Matsura/Hirado via the Imari-wan Ôhashi Bridge. You will come out onto route 204. Follow route 204 and the partially finished Nishi-Kyushu Expressway all the way to Hirado.

From Nagasaki: (2 hours 15 min)
Leave Nagasaki via the Dejima Toll Road. Get on the Nagasaki Expressway (toll) all the way to Takeo Junction. Turn onto the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway to Sasebo. Follow all the way to the end (Saza IC) and go straight in the direction of Hirado. Follow the local road to Hirado.

GETTING AROUND HIRADO

The city centre is perfect for walking. If you want to venture further out consider the following:

By Public Transport


Bus services provide access to Ikitsuki Island and many villages but schedules vary. Please ask at the tourist information or the bus terminal for times. Taxis are also an option to get to some sights in the area. Silver Taxi, Mambo Taxi and Chubu Taxi can be contacted through the tourist info desk or in front of the bus terminal.

By Car


The easiest way to get around Hirado is by car. Rental cars are available from:

Tawaraya Rentacar (tel.: 0950-23-3301)
Nishi My Car (tel.: 0950-57-0996)
Reservations are required and need to be returned with a full tank. Both companies only speak Japanese. For help contact the tourist information desk.


By Bike


Hirado is surrounded by sttep hills but for those who are sportive, you can rent a electrical assist bike at the tourist information centre and Tabira-Hiradoguchi train station and some hotels. Normal rental bikes are available at Sakamoto Cycle Shop. Bikes can take you to Kawachi Pass or Hirado Bridge but not probably not further.