Introducing recommended local information of Saga Prefecture. Saga Prefecture offers sightseeing spots such as Ureshino Onsen, Takeo Onsen, and Kumano Shrine; sightseeing events such as Arita Pottery Fair, Hachisaku, and Karatsu Kunchi; and local delicacies such as fish cakes, dago soup, and salted squid.
Saga Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of rice cultivation, and there are historical sites from the Jomon period that indicate this. Many clans ruled the land from the Kamakura period to the Warring States period, but the Nabeshima clan came to rule in the Edo period.
The Saga clan was well informed about foreign countries due to its proximity to Nagasaki, and had the technology to produce reverberatory furnaces and steam locomotive models, and it is said that the Saga clan was the first to bake bread. After the Meiji Restoration, Saga produced many people who contributed to society, such as Tsunetami Sano, founder of the Japanese Red Cross.
Saga Prefecture is a popular tourist destination for its historical sites and museums.
Saga Prefecture has produced many types of pottery, including Arita-yaki, Karatsu-yaki, Shida-yaki, Kuromuta-yaki, Tara-yaki, and Hizen-Yoshida-yaki. Arita-yaki, especially from the town of Arita in Saga Prefecture, has been designated a traditional craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and is still one of the most popular types of pottery.
At the Arita Porcelain Park in Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga Prefecture, visitors can try their hand at painting Arita-yaki. It is a great way to make your own pottery as a memory of your sightseeing.
There are Ureshino Onsen, one of the three most beautiful hot springs in Japan, and Takeo Onsen, whose tower gate and new building are designated as national important cultural properties. Each hot spring has its own unique characteristics, so you can choose the one that suits you best and relieve the fatigue of your trip.
In addition, some plants and animals have been designated as natural monuments. The Imari Bay is a habitat for horseshoe crabs, and the Ureshino giant tea tree in the Fudozan area of Ureshino-cho, Ureshino-shi, Saga Prefecture, is a large tea tree that is said to be 300 years old.
The culinary delights are also not to be missed. Saga Beef, a Japanese black cattle breed, is the second highest quality brand of beef in Japan after Sendai Beef, which meets strict standards, and there are many restaurants in the prefecture where you can taste this high quality beef.
Takeo Onsen is an ancient hot spring that opened about 1,200 years ago, located northwest of Takeo Onsen Station at the foot of Horai Mountain. Legend has it that Empress Jingu, on her triumphal return to Japan, struck a rock with the hilt of her sword, and hot water immediately gushed out, hence the name Karasaki Onsen in the past. It was also called Horai-sen because it springs at the foot of ...»
Yutoku Inari Shrine is known as one of the "Three Great Inari" shrines in Japan, along with Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Kasama Inari Shrine in Ibaraki, and is a deity that protects food, clothing, and shelter. It is visited by approximately 3 million worshippers annually, the second largest number in Kyushu after Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka. The main shrine, Kaguraden (music hall), ...»
Visitors can fully enjoy the history of the Saga Clan, which led the modernization of Japan from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration. The Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum was established to convey that era in an easy-to-understand manner. It is known for being the first museum in Japan to restore the Honmaru Goten while preserving its original remains, and covers an area of appr...»
Arita Porcelain Park is a "sake and vessel" theme park that recreates the German Zwinger Palace in the home of Arita-yaki, which has fascinated European royalty and aristocracy since the 17th century and has greatly influenced the world of ceramics. This facility mainly introduces Arita-yaki porcelain, and visitors can experience underglaze painting, hand-painting, and potter's wheel making at the...»
The Yoshinogari Ruins, a national special historic site, is located in the Yoshinogari Hills, which straddle Yoshinogari-cho and Kanzaki-shi, Kanzaki-gun, Saga Prefecture. The site is one of the largest moat encircling settlements of the Yayoi period, surrounded by a double moat, and more than 2,000 kame coffin tombs, rogan, and stilted warehouses have been excavated. In addition, the ruankan, pi...»
Nanatsugama is a mysterious scenic spot created by nature and designated as a national natural monument. This place is a sea-eroded cave (cavern) formed by the erosion of basalt by rough waves known as Genkainada. The cliffs have been deeply gouged, and as the name suggests, seven caves are lined up in a row, reminding us of the wonders of nature. The regular columnar arrangement of rock surfaces...»
This is a theme park that allows visitors to experience history, focusing on ninja and Edo Period themes. With a total area of 75,000 square meters, the park recreates the Nagasaki Highway of the Edo period, featuring street performances such as Toad's Oil Peddler and Nankin Tamasudare, as well as ninja shows put on by the leafy ninja. There are 60 facilities in the park, including a barrier stat...»
Karatsu Castle" (Maizuru Castle), located in Maizuru Park, is a symbol of the city of Karatsu and a beautiful sight to behold when looking up from Maizuru Bridge. The view from the castle tower is also magnificent, offering a magnificent view of the scenic "Matsuura Lagoon" of Niji-no-Matsubara and Kagamiyama. The castle was built in 1608, seven years after the first lord of the Karatsu domain, ...»
The villa and garden of Yataro Itami, a Saga businessman of the Meiji era, was designated as a national place of scenic beauty in 1995. The garden was commissioned to Kurume Hori, a master gardener who is said to be unrivaled in the field of teahouses and gardens in Kyushu, and was constructed over a period of nine years from 1900.The villa is a modern Japanese-style sukiya (tea ceremony house) wi...»
Located in the upper reaches of the Shimizu River, a tributary of the Gion River that flows into the Kase River, is a beautiful waterfall 75 meters high and 13 meters wide. This waterfall is also known as "Tamasudare Falls," and the clear water falls boldly down to form a vertical cliff. It is a place of power and beauty at the same time. Near the waterfall is a monument in honor of Kiyoo Kuranag...»
Niji-no-Matsubara is a pine grove that stretches along the seashore of Karatsu Bay and has been designated as a special scenic beauty spot by the government. Together with Miho no Matsubara and Kebi no Matsubara, it is one of the three most beautiful pine groves in Japan. It has also been selected as one of the 100 best white sand and green pine trees in Japan, one of the 100 best beaches in Japa...»
Kagamiyama is a 284-meter-high mountain. From the observatory at the top of the mountain, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of Karatsu Bay and Niji-no-matsubara. During the daytime, visitors can fully enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. The beauty of the crystal clear sea and lush green islands unique to Saga is breathtaking. In particular, Niji-no-Matsubara, which can be viewed from this ob...»
Takeo Shrine is the oldest shrine in the city and is also called Takeo Gosha Daimyojin. Behind the shrine, there is a huge tree called "Takeo no Ookusu," which is 3,000 years old and is revered as the sacred tree of Takeo Shrine. The shrine is majestic and was founded in the Heian period (794-1185) and is located on the hillside of Mt. Mifune. It is dedicated to Takeuchi Shukugi, and is also kno...»
This hot spring is located in a beautiful countryside surrounded by tea plantations. Ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) line the streets of the hot spring resort, creating a quiet and tranquil atmosphere. Ureshino Hot Spring, along with Takeo Hot Spring, is one of the representative hot spring resorts in Saga Prefecture. This hot spring resort is also known as "Ureshino Onsen," one of the three b...»
This amusement park is surrounded by nature with a theme of flowers and squirrels. Visitors can feed the animals and play on the Ferris wheel, fairy tale train, ladybug coaster, carousel, and other attractions, and never get bored! Come and play with us in the fun fairy tale village while interacting with the adorable animals! Feed the rabbits, goats and guinea pigs in the mini zoo. You are also ...»
Located at the southwestern foot of Mt. Mifune, the symbol of Takeo City, this huge Japanese garden covers an area of 150,000 tsubo. It is a garden with a pond-enkaiyu style, and is famous for its azaleas and autumn foliage. It took three years to create the garden. In spring, 5,000 cherry trees, 200,000 azaleas, and 170-year-old giant wisteria trees bloom in turn, creating a vibrant display of s...»
This building is an example of Japanese-style architecture by Kingo Tatsuno and is one of the few remaining examples. The building was used as a public bathhouse, but was closed in 1973 due to aging and other reasons. Historically, the building, designed by Kingo Tatsuno, was topped out on November 20, 1914, and completed the following April 12, 1915. The building is a two-story, hip-and-gable s...»
The largest hands-on natural science museum in Kyushu. Exhibits consist of five zones: Discover the Universe, Discover the Earth, Discover Saga, Science Toy Box, and Children's Plaza. The museum is also equipped with a state-of-the-art planetarium and observatory. In the Discover Earth zone, there are exhibits for children to enjoy, such as the "Linear Motor Car. The Space Discovery Zone, on the ...»
Furuyu Hot Spring Village is located approximately 20 km north of Saga Station in the mountains at an elevation of 200 m above sea level. In July 1966, it was designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as "Koyu/Kumanokawa Hot Spring Village" as a national recreational hot spring resort. The hot spring has a long history and is known as a place of creation, having been visited by famous teach...»
Okawachi is a pottery village loved by the feudal lord. Okawachi, the village of hidden kilns, has beautiful landscapes like a landscape painting and an outstanding pottery culture. During the Edo period (1603-1867), the highest quality porcelain "Nabeshima" was produced here as the official kiln of the Nabeshima family of the Saga Domain. Even today, 30 potteries are preserving the traditional pr...»
This theme park allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of the countryside in the south of France, and to become familiar with nature and animals. The expansive grounds include a pasture where horses, dairy cows, chickens, and rabbits are raised, a plaza, livestock pens, a wine exhibition hall, a bakery, a souvenir shop, and a restaurant, where visitors can also get in touch with nature. Vi...»
With a 100-meter drop, Mikaeri Waterfall is known as the highest waterfall in Kyushu. It has been selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. The waterfall is located on the left Ikisa River, a tributary of the Matsuura River. On the right bank of the waterfall, there are Fudo-son, Juichimen-kannon, and Jizo-son, and just downstream, there are Shibukubashi Bridge and Ajisai Bridge. The a...»
In 1942, 10,000 plum trees were planted on an area of 30,000 tsubo (about 1.5 acres), and the Ryo-ran Juku was built next to the trees. Riran Juku was built to promote friendship between Japan and Manchukuo. On the 165,000-square-meter site that stretches on the east side of Mt. Mifune, 10,000 plum trees, called "10,000 at a glance," bloom beautifully from mid-February to early March. During this ...»
Keishu-en Garden is a beautiful pure Japanese garden that is said to be the best in Kyushu, covering an area of about 4,000 tsubo. This garden is a masterpiece of pure Japanese gardening by Kinsaku Nakane, who was known as "Kobori Enshu of the Showa era" for creating famous gardens at the Adachi Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, among others. Against the backdrop of Mt. Mifune and...»
The mudskipper can only be found at two localityes in Japan, the sea of Ariake and the sea of Yatsushiro. Despite its comical appearance, the flavor is refined and delicious. It’s in season from May to September and most often eaten grilled. The living mudskippers are skewered and grilled over charcoal while a soy based sweet sauce is basted on. Grilled to almost black, the mudskipper flesh is ten...»
Matsuura Pickle is bones taken from the bridge of the nose, and cartilage of whale, chopped up finely, boiled up to remove the fat and pickled in sweetle seasoned sake lees (the leftover flakes of rice from sake production). It is a specialty of the seaside town of Yobuko. Although a pickle, it was considered difficult to keep for long without destroying the delicate fragrance of the sake lees. Ho...»
This recipe originates from the mid-70’s from a small café in the middle of Saga city. Add steamed rice to a plate, add grilled meat of some kind, add salad and finish with a squeeze of mayonnaise. Simple! The name comes from that fact that neighboring Nagasaki created the ‘Turkish rice’ so Saga would name this ‘Sicilian rice’…however it is believed that this was originally intended to be called ‘...»
Over 20 to 30 thousand of these local favorites are sold every day. Cod flesh is made into a paste and minced onions, carrots and curry powder are added. It is then breaded and deep fried. It goes well with rice of course, but it’s deep curry flavor makes it a hit with a cold glass of beer too. The Karatsu city manufacturer of this dish ahs been doing it for over 2 generations. 1 piece 80 yen, and...»
Restaurants in Yobuko feature squid heavily. Squid relies so much on freshness, and it can’t even last a day after being fished out of the sea. Due to this, squid would often be left over. Just because they couldn’t be sold as it was, there was absolutely no reason to throw away perfectly good squid. Chefs got together to develop a new recipe. The squid dumpling was born!...»
Yobuko is known for its squid catch. However, it is not because it is so abundant. Yobuko is famous for managing to develop technologies to sell the delicate and easy-to-spoil squid raw to its customers. The city is also where the salted squid recipe originates from. Salted squid is used across many restaurants in town and the variety (and flavors and consistencies…) of the salted squid vary wildl...»
The Yobuko morning market is known as one of Japan’s top morning markets. A 2oo meter stretch of market place is filled with the freshest catch from the sea and vegetables from the fields. Famous as a snack items served here is the whale cutlet. Fat is trimmed off whale flesh and combined with white fleshed fish to form a paste. After this, it is portioned, breaded in flour and deep fried. The jui...»
Eaten since days of yore as a good source of protein. The city of Karatsu has a history of doing well owing to whaling back in the Edo and Meiji eras. Former whaling stations remain standing in the city, and people still sing songs about whalers. This heritage can be seen in the local cuisine too which features whales in the form of sashimi, deep fried and ‘yamato’ stew. There is also the fast foo...»
The Yobuko orning market is very famous and known as one of Japan’s top 3 morning markets. This recipe was developed for the ‘National Morning Market Summit’ held here in 2002. The patty consists of minced squid while the buns consists of squid and flour, resulting in a chewy sweetness. Try this specialty!...»
This is a long standing favorite of the people of Saga. Wheat and sweet rice flour are mixed into a batter and boiled. The resulting dough is stretched out and filled with sweet red bean paste. Brown sugar is sprinkled over before eating. A popular snack item for the farmers....»
A vinegar dressed ‘salad’ using a kind of potato known as a water arum. Eaten during the hot summer months, this dish is also known as ‘Zuiki’ in other area. Sometimes the potatoes are dried for preservation. It tastes even better when served cold....»
Taro, burdock, konyak potato jelly and all other sorts of ingredients can be found in this hearty soup. It is eaten every day, and is often a feature at celebrations too. In olden times, when served at celebrations, chicken, shiitake mushrooms and burdock were added for extra flavor and stock. In some areas, azuki beans are added when serving this at weddings. Every year, on the first day of Septe...»
This is a kind of oshizushi prepared with mutsugoro. The ingredients differ depending on the seasons and each home, but this is a traditional style of sushi prepared with the seafood from Sea of Ariake and food from mountains presented colorfully on sushi-rice made of rice harvested in Suko. Suko-zushi has a long history in Shiraishi-cho Suko area, and has been served in festivals and celebrations...»
An ancient recipe for food preservation hailing from the Kagishima area. A crucian carp is wrapped alive in kelp, and boiled together with daikon radish for close to an entire day. The Saga/Hirano area has a wide network of canals for irrigation purposes. The canals are ‘drained’ once a year during fall, and the crucian carp caught at this time are transformed into this dish. The dish is eaten dur...»
A must-have during the traditional ‘Okunchi’ festival. It is also served at various other days of auspiciousness, such as new years. In Kyushu, this stew is refered to as ‘Ga-Me stew’ whereas in other parts of the country it is refered to as ‘Chikuzen Stew’. Different names, but the overall recipe remains the same. It is said that when Japanese soldiers went to the Korean peninsula back in the 14t...»
A must-have at traditional ‘Okunchi’ celebrations. It is eaten across the prefecture, however the Arita city style of serving this dish in a rectangular wooden dish during October ‘Okunchi’ celebrations is well-known....»
An old Saga dish with rustic origins. With plenty of barley in the region, flour-based foods were eaten in lieu of rice at times. This soup consists of flour dumplings (noodles), green onions, and whale (the only source of protein back in time). The dumplings or noodles vary in size and shape according to region, with differing names too. The dish can be whipped up quickly for sudden visitors, ser...»
Kake-ae refers to dressing whatever ingredient in a miso and vinegar dressing. According to season, that ingredient may be squid, fish, daikon radish or cucumbers. It is eaten throughout the year as everyday food. This dish was considered a treat for fishing villagers and special versions served during festival time, making a name for itself across the prefecture....»
Various species of gobi, other fish and shellfish found aplenty in the Sea of Ariake. The sea has vast differences of sea level height at low and high tides that at low tide, vast expanses of seabed become exposed as mud flats. Many of the fish living in this area have strange appearances but certainly taste delicious. The locals refer to the Sea Of Ariake as the ‘Front Sea’ and refer to these cre...»
This was eaten regularly along the Sea of Ariake coastal area. Rice is cooked into a soupy porridge with powdered green tea. This was a dish developed in times of poverty to make rice go a longer way....»
At the Hamatama-cho area of Karatsu city, this soup would be made by all the villagers at times of celebration or mourning. Ingredients used tend to maintain their shape even after long cooking, and the name ‘dabu’ comes from referring to the sound of plenty of things sloshing around in water. The ingredients in the soup are cut into squares for celebrations, and into triangles when mourning. Each...»
This is a masterpiece of experienced chefs, a sashimi dish of kensaki-ika (caught during March to September) and aori-ika (caught during December to March) served alive. It takes only 30 seconds for the chefs to cut up a squid and serve it. Since ikidukuri is quickly prepared and served as soon as it is done, the squid still looks transparent and fresh compared with the usual one which looks white...»