Nagasaki Prefecture is located in the Kyushu region of Japan, with its capital in Nagasaki City. It is characterized by its many islands, including the Gotō Islands, Iki Island, and Tsushima. Among Japan’s 47 prefectures, Nagasaki is known for having the most islands.
Geographically, it borders Saga Prefecture to the east, while the other three sides are surrounded by the sea. According to a 2023 survey by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, there are 1,479 islands within the prefecture, the highest number in the country. The region also features many rias coastlines, and the total length of its shoreline reaches 4,137 kilometers—the second longest in Japan after Hokkaido (including the Northern Territories), and effectively the longest in practice. Despite having only about 1/20th the land area of Hokkaido, the prefecture boasts such an extensive coastline due to its intricate shorelines and numerous islands.
This geographical feature results in 83 ports scattered throughout the prefecture, accounting for about 7.4% of all ports in Japan. Another notable point is that within Nagasaki Prefecture, no location is more than 15 kilometers away from the coast.
The climate is generally mild with minimal temperature fluctuations, influenced by the Tsushima Current flowing from the southwest. However, due to its proximity to the continent, it is also susceptible to cold waves, and temperatures can drop significantly in winter, occasionally recording sub-zero days. Particularly along the East China Sea, overcast weather is common, accompanied by showers or snow. Although snowfall is generally light, seasonal winds can sometimes bring heavy snow if clouds are not blocked, such as on January 16, 2001, when Nagasaki City recorded about 14 cm of snow, and on January 24, 2016, when about 17 cm was recorded.
On Tsushima Island, due to its close proximity to the Korean Peninsula, snow clouds are often blocked by the continent, resulting in occasional snowy days, but actual snow accumulation is rare.
As for the region’s biodiversity, subtropical plants such as Akou trees can be found along the coast, reflecting the warm climate. Due to its proximity to the continent, relict species of continental origin—such as the Tsushima leopard cat and the mudskipper—can also be found. Moreover, many of the outlying islands are home to subspecies and variants, highlighting the region’s rich biological diversity.