Saga-prefecture travel guide

Saga-prefecture is located in the northern part of Kyushu and are adjacent to Fukuoka-prefecture

in the east and to Nagasaki-prefecture in the west. The north side faces Genkai Quasi-National

Park with scenic coast line. In the south, the Saga plain that is adjacent to Ariake Sea is spreading. The capital of the prefecture is Saga-city.

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Location of Saga-prefecture

　 

 

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Where to Explore  

 

Saga-city

It faces the Ariake Sea on the south and is home to Saga Airport. In the center of the city is

the Saga Castle History Museum, which also serves as the city’s symbol. The castle itself is no

longer standing, but the main keep has been reconstructed, resulting in one of the largest

wooden structures in Japan.

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Karatsu and Yobuko

Located on the Higashi Matsuura Peninsula in the north-western part of Saga-prefecture,

have been prosperous from ancient times as an important point for trade with Mainland China.

Karatsu is a part of Genkai Quasi-National Park, and has many scenic spots.

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Takeo

Located in the western part of Saga-prefecture. The hot spring temperature is 18 to 52 degrees.

Spring quality is smooth with alkaline simple hot spring.  It is said that the color is colorless and

transparent and has an outstanding effect on recovery from fatigue.

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Ureshino Onsen Resort

Ureshino Onsen is a hot spring town in southwestern Saga Prefecture. Its clear onsen waters

are high in sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride and feel extremely smooth on skin, giving

rise to its popularity as a “Bihada no Yu” ( beautiful skin waters). Ureshino is famous for its tea.

Terraces of tea fields sprawling out one after the next is a scene typical of Ureshino.

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Arita

Famous for Arita yaki which is 400-years old porcelain. The piece is bright, elegant pictures

drawn in transparent white porcelain. 

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Imari

The porcelain town, has 400years history. Imari is most notable because of Imari porcelain,

which is the European collectors’ name for Japanese porcelain wares made in the town of

Arita, Saga-prefecture.

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Kashima

Located about 60 kilometers southwest of Saga-city. It borders the Ariake Sea to the east and

Nagasaki-prefecture to the southwest. Feature sightseeing spot is Yutoku Inari Shrine and also

Sake brewery visiting are recommended.

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Tour results

We are offering various types of tours, and the tour results up to now are shown links below.   

Tailor-made tour     Study tour     Golf tour

 

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Karatsu Castle

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Karatsu Castle is called Dancing Crane Castle.  Karatsu Castle was built in 1608. This castle

is located facing the sea and is situated in the northern part of Karatsu City.

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It resembles the figure of a bird with its wings spread wide as there is a pine grove extending

left to right and because its donjon is thought to look like the head of a crane.

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In spring, the 500 cherry trees and the Wisteria flowers in Karatsu, designated a product of nature by

the city, are in full bloom.

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General information  

Address	1-1 Nishi-jonai, Karatsu-city, Saga-prefecture
Access	120 minutes by a vehicle from Kitakyushu-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city   5 minutes by a vehicle from JR Karatsu station 30 minutes by a vehicle from Yobuko 60 minutes by a vehicle from Saga-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Takeo-city 50 minutes by a vehicle from Arita   100 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city
Open hours	9:00 to 17:00
Admission fee	No fee is required
Days closed	December 29 to 31

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Hado-misaki Cape

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Lovers’ sanctuary Cape. The main attractions of Cape Hado are the heart-shaped monument,

underwater observation tower, and the sunset. It is frequented by young couples who take

photos in front of the heart monument, and also by families who hang out at the wide, beautiful

grasslands by the sea.

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The Cape was used as a Shooting location of Thailand drama.

 

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General information  

Address	Yobuko-cho, Karatsu-city, Saga-prefecture
Access	110 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 110 minutes by a vehicle from Saga-city 140 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city

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Kagamiyama Mountain

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Panoramic view of Karatsu Castle, Karatsu bay and Nijino-matsubara.  The height is 284 metre

from sea level and top of the mountain is flat and wide geographical feature.

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The area is famous for cherry blossom and azalea flower in spring season. Magnificent

and panoramic view of the Karatsu Castle, Karatsu bay and Nijino-matsubara (Rainbow

pine forest) from the observatory on the summit can be enjoyed.

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General information  

Address	Kagamiyama, Karatsu-city, Saga-prefecture
Access	110 minutes by a vehicle from Kitakyushu-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 20 minutes by a vehicle from JR Karatsu station 40 minutes by a vehicle from Yobuko 70 minutes by a vehicle from Saga-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Takeo-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Arita 100 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city

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Yobuko Asaichi

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Fishery morning market called Asaichi.  Asaichi opens from 7:30 to 12:00, every day at just next

to Yobuko Port. The street of 200 m borrowed from the eaves of the shopping street is named

“Asaichi Street”.

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50 to 70 stalls selling fresh vegetables, fish and shellfishes, and fruits line up. Morning market

BBQ is also going on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

The place was used as a Shooting location of Thailand drama.

 

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General information  

Address	Yobuko-cho, Karatsu-city, Saga-prefecture
Access	90 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 90 minutes by a vehicle from Saga-city 120 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city

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Karatsu & Yobuko travel guide

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Karatsu and Yobuko, located on the Higashi Matsuura Pe ninsula in the northwestern part

of Saga-prefecture, have been prosperous from ancient times as an important point for

trade with Mainland China. Karatsu is a part of Genkai Quasi-National Park, and has many

scenic spots.

 

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Karatsu Castle

Karatsu Castle is called Dancing Crane Castle. The Castle, which stands beside Karatsu Bay,

is unusual in that the stonework rises directly out of the water, using the ocean as a natural moat.

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Kagamiyama Mountain

Panoramic view of Karatsu Castle, Karatsu bay and Nijino-matsubara (Rainbow pine forest)

The height is 284 metre from sea level and top of the mountain is flat and wide geographical

feature. The area is famous for cherry blossom and azalea flower in spring season.

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Karatsu Shrine

The Shrine of Karatsu Kunchi. It is a Shinto shrine located about 1 km west of Karatsu Castle

and the original shrine was founded in 755.  Karatsu Kunchi is held From November 2nd to

4th every year.

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Yobuko

Town of Fishing industry, famous for Squid and Morning Market called Asaichi. Yobuko is

located northern tip of Saga-prefecture and is facing to Denkai-nada Sea. A lot of places

were as a Shooting location of Thailand drama.​

Yobuko Port

Fresh Squid

Fresh Squid

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Yobuko Asaichi

Fishery Morning Market called Asaichi and opens from 7:30 to 12:00, every day at just next to

Yobuko Port. The street of 200 m borrowed from the eaves of the shopping street is named

“Asaichi Street”. The place was used as a Shooting location of Thailand drama.

Entrance gate

Shopping street

Typical shop

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Hado-misaki Cape

Cape of Lovers’ sanctuary. The main attractions of Cape Hado are the heart-shaped monument,

underwater observation tower, and the sunset. It is frequented by young couples who take photos

in front of the heart monument.

Hado-misaki beach

Heart monument

The north-west end

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Nagoya Castle Ruins​

The Castle was a castle located in the old Hizen Province of Japan. The historic castle was

the base from which Toyotomi Hideyoshi launched his invasions of Korea.

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Yobuko and Genkai Sea from the view of Nagoya Castle Ruins

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 Location of Karatsu & Yobuko

　 

 

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Contact us

 

Tour results

We are offering various types of tours, and the tour results up to now are shown links below.       

Tailor-made tour      Study tour      Golf tour 

 

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Kashima & Tara travel guide

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Kashima is located about 60 kilometers southwest of Saga-city. It borders the Ariake

Sea to the east and Nagasaki Prefecture to the southwest. Feature sightseeing spot is

Yutoku Inari Shrine and also Sake brewery visiting is recommended.

Sake Brewery

Sake Brewery

Ariake Sea

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Yutoku Inari Shrine

One of the most famous Inari shrines in Japan and located in Kashima-city, Saga-prefecture.

Dedicated to Inari, the deity whose messengers are foxes, it is the third largest of its kind

in Japan. It was constructed in 1688 as the family shrine of the Nabeshima clan who ruled

what would become the Saga area during the Edo period. ​​

The Shrine was used as a Shooting location of Thailand drama.

 

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Kaichu Torii

Kaichu Torii gates in the sea have become a popular photo spot when the tide is high.The “Floating

Torii Gate” of Ouo Shrine stands on the shallow area of the ocean in Tara-cho, which has 6 meter

tide difference. It changes its appearance every time you look at it, and it is a famous tourist spot.

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Takezaki crab

Takezaki crab is the local specialty of Tara, and is well-known for its rich flavor.  Takezaki crabs

are available almost year around. From summer into fall the male crabs are delicious, with the

females and their eggs most delicious during the autumn and winter. You could even try one of each.

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Takezaki Castle ruins

From the observatory point of Takezaki Castle Ruins Lookout, one can gaze down upon workings

of nature such as this. This is the site where a castle was originally built 600 years ago in the

Nanboku-cho Period and a vantage point which offers spectacular views, including the mountains

of Unzen and Aso when the weather is fine.

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 Location of Kashima

　 

 

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General information  

Address	City hall : 2643-1 Nodomibun, Kashima-city, Saga-prefecture
Access	30 minutes by a vehicle from Takeo 40 minutes by a vehicle from Arita 50 minutes by a vehicle from Saga 80 minutes by a vehicle from Karatsu 90 minutes by a vehicle from Yobuko 100 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 70 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city
Population	29,000   Population density 260

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Tour results

We are offering various types of tours, and the tour results up to now are shown links below.       

Tailor-made tour      Study tour      Golf tour 

 

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 HOME    About us   Our Services    Terms and Conditions

 

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Tsukiji Reflectance Furnace

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This is the Japan’s first constructed Reflectance Furnace. In the late Edo period when the

necessity of maritime defense increased, the Saga clan built the Tsukiji Reflectance

Furnace for making cast iron-made Western cannons and completed in 1850. And then,

the cast iron cannon was manufactured the first time in Japan in 1851. The reflectance

furnace was greatly contributed for initial stage of Japan’s Industrial Modernization.

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General information

Address	Nagase-machi, Saga-city, Saga-prefecture
Access	110 minutes by a vehicle from Kitakyushu-city 80 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city   70 minutes by a vehicle from Karatsu 50 minutes by a vehicle from Takeo 60 minutes by a vehicle from Arita   90 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city

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Kaichu Torii

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Kaichu Torii gates in the sea have become a popular photo spot when the tide is high.
The “Floating Torii Gate” of Ouo Shrine stands on the shallow area of the ocean in

Tara-cho, which has 6 meter tide difference. It changes its appearance every time

you look at it, and it is a famous tourist spot.

In August, Yukino Lantern Festival will be held, the view of 500 lanterns and torii on the

ocean is very romantic.

 

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 HOME    About us   Our Services    Terms and Conditions

 

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Takezaki crab

                                                                                                                                            HOME 

 

Takezaki crab is the local specialty of Tara, and is well-known for its rich flavor. Takezaki crabs

are available almost year around. From summer into fall the male crabs are delicious, with the

females and their eggs most delicious during the autumn and winter. You could even try one

of each.

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You can enjoy this wide variety of crab dishes including fried crab, grilled crab,

crab dumplings, crab chawanmushi (a Japanese egg custard dish), stir-fried crab,

creamy crab risotto, crab gratin, and steamed crab. The crabmeat gives you sweetness

with every bite. The best way to end a nice steamed crab is with “shell sake,” where

you drink sake from the crab shell. You should try this with hot sake, which lets you

enjoy the crab flavor more and warms your body.

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Contact us  

 

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