When to travel?
The climate in Saga is generally very mild. It rains more in the area of mountains, which could be snow in winter. Ocean side has less rain.
Best season: Mar-Nov
Cherry blossoms: end of Mar-Apr
Foliage: end of Nov-Dec
Events / Festivals
Jul: Hamasaki Gion festival (浜崎祇園祭), Hamasaki 浜崎
Jul: Kodomo Gion Yamagasa (小友祇園山笠), Karatsu 唐津
Oct: Ouchi Kunchi (相知くんち), Karatsu 唐津
Nov: Karatsu Kunchi (唐津くんち), Karatsu 唐津
Touristic spots
Capital city: Saga (佐賀)
The city has the least population out of all prefectures in Kyushu. It is only 37 kilo meters away from Fukuoka city, but there is a mountain range in between, so that the access is not that convenient.
Yoshinogari ruins (吉野ヶ里遺跡)
Old ruins that proofs people lived here in the 10th century B.C. The village was then created, and the people cultivated the land.
Karatsu (唐津)
The second biggest city in Saga prefecture. As the city is located at a coastline, many porcelains from Saga have been exported from this city.
Yobiko morning market (呼子の朝市) is famous in Karatsu, especially squid. Every morning except for New Year’s Day, the morning market is held. You may see their specialty, dried squid in the sky. You may surely enjoy fresh seafood there.
Karatsu Kunchi (唐津くんち) festival is held in November, with more than half-million of people participate. The Dashi floats have been chosen as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, and it is worth visiting the festival to feel their energy directly.
Nanatsugama (七ツ釜)
They are caves created by ocean waves. The name means seven big pots, however, there are more than seven caves in the area. There is a sightseeing boat from Yobiko and you can go inside.
Niji no Matsubara (虹の松原)
One of the most famous sightseeing spots in Saga. It is a forest of pine trees which is chosen as one of the best pine tree forests in Japan. We can see Saga castle at the same time.
Arita (有田)
This is a small town, however, their products called Aritayaki (有田焼) is famous worldwide. Aritayaki is porcelain, which was exported to foreign countries in 17th century. The porcelain has even reached Europe, and it was highly evaluated.
What makes Aritayaki so special is their exquisite hand-painting. The technique was imported from China.
Takeo Hot spring (武雄温泉)
A hot spring which has more than 1300 years of history. Thanks to the opening of the new Shinkansen railway, the access is much easier and convenient. The ambiance is tranquil which has attracted so many VIPs in the history.
