Kashima & Tara travel guide
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.
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Sake Brewery |
Sake Brewery |
Ariake Sea |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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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. |
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 |
Kashima & Tara
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Saga-city travel guide
Saga-city in Kyushu is the seat of the Saga-prefectural government. 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. Saga is also known as the place where it has made a great
contribution to the Japanese Industrial Revolution.
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Japan’s Industrial Modernization activity was started here in Saga. The largest restored wooden building in Japan at 2,500m2, the museum offers the unparalleled chance to experience a Japanese castle from more than 175 years ago. |
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The shrine is designated as the special government shrine. The shrine dedicated to Naomasa Nabeshima, who oversaw the manufacture of Japan’s first modern Cannon. |
Mietsu Naval Dock UNESCO World Heritage
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UNESCO World Heritage, Site of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution. Before Meiji Restoration, the Mietsu Naval Dock served as a venue for naval drilling and maintenance of Western-style ship, as the naval base of Saga Clan. Japan’s first practical steam ship, the Ryofu-maru was constructed there in 1865. |
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This is the Japan’s first constructed Reflectance Furnace and it was used for Japan’s first Cannon manufacturing. The reflectance furnace was greatly contributed for initial stage of Japan’s Industrial Modernization. |
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The largest archeological remains in Japan. Lie on the spacious hilly area in the north-eastern part of Saga. Remains of a ringed-dugout settlement presumably dating back to the 3rd century B.C. were unearthed there, and excavation is still underway at the site. |
Saga International Balloon Fiesta
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The largest hot air balloon competition in all of Asia with over 100 participating balloon teams from all over the world. |
General information
| Address | City hall : 1-1 Sakai-machi, Saga-city, Saga-prefecture |
| Access |
50 minutes by a vehicle from Takeo 60 minutes by a vehicle from Arita 60 minutes by a vehicle from Karatsu 90 minutes by a vehicle from Yobuko 70 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 90 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city |
| Population | 234,000 Population density 540 |
Saga-city
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Karatsu & Yobuko travel guide
Karatsu and Yobuko, located on the Higashi Matsuura Pe ninsula 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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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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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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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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Town of Fishing industry, famous for Squid and Morning Market called Asaichi. Yobuko is located northern tip of Saga-prefecture and is facing to Genkai-nada Sea. A lot of places were as a Shooting location of Thailand drama. |
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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. |
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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. |
Nagoya Castle Ruins
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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. |
Yobuko and Genkai Sea from the view of Nagoya Castle Ruins
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Karatsu & Yobuko
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Arita travel guide
It is known for producing Arita porcelain, one of the traditional handicrafts of Japan.
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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It holds the largest ceramic fair in Western Japan, the Arita Ceramic Fair.
This event is held from April 29 to May 5 every year and has thousands of stores and
stalls lining the six-kilometre long main street.
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Offers a drastic change of scenery, which might even make you forget you are in Japan. This park features a stunning garden and palace designed in the style of 18th-century German Baroque architecture. This is said to be a tribute to Arita’s influence on European ceramic design. |
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The Shrine is located in Arita Town, Nishimatsuura District. Feature of the Shrine is Shrine gate made by porcelain, and usually the Shrine gate are made of stone or wood. The Shire gate or Torii was built in 1888. It had been designated Tangible Cultural Properties on April 28, 2000. |
Porcelain Manufacturer, Kakieon
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A style of Japanese porcelain, with over glaze decoration called “enameled” ceramics. It was originally produced at the factories around Arita, in Japan’s from the Edo period’s mid-17th century onwards. The style shares much in common with the Chinese “Famille Verte” style. |
General information
| Address | City hall : 2202 Tachibeotsu, Arita-chi, Nishi-Matsuura-gun, Saga-prefecture |
| Access |
30 minutes by a vehicle from Imari-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Saga-city 100 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city |
| Population | 19,600 Population density 298 |
Arita
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Imari travel guide
Imari is 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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The porcelain was exported from the port of Imari specifically for the European
export trade.
Okawachiyama porcelain district
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Originally, an owner of the Imari porcelain was Nabeshima clan, in order to develop and protect its outstanding technique, he gathered skilled artisans and painters in Okawachiyama district. Now. about 30 potteries are manufacturing Imari porcelain. |
General information
| Address | City hall : 1355-1 Tachibana, Imari-city, Saga-prefecture |
| Access |
40 minutes by a vehicle from Karatsu-city 80 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 80 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city |
| Population | 54,000 Population density 210 |
Imari
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Takeo and Ureshino travel guide
Takeo Onsen resort
Takeo has 1200 years history and is 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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The landmark of Takeo Onsen. Romon Gate, which was designed by a renowned architect in the Meiji Era, Kingo Tatsuno, and is at the entrance of the Onsen area. |
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Beautiful Japanese Garden, located in the south-western foot of Mifuneyama, construction of the garden took about 3 years and completed in 1845, the area is about 5ha. The dynamic cliffs of Mifuneyama Mountain can be seen from the garden. |
Great Camphor tree at Takeo Shrine
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One of the oldest Camphor tree in Japan. The tree is one of the largest in Japan and over 3,000 years old. Designated a natural monument of the city. It is 30 m high, has a circumference of 20 m, and its branches extend 30 m east-west and 33 m north-south. |
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Ureshino Onsen is a hot spring town in south-western 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). |
Ureshono tea, local speciality
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Ureshino is famous for its tea. Terraces of tea fields sprawling out one after the next is a scene typical of Ureshino. Proper cultivation of Ureshino Tea was begun between 1648 and 1651 by tea grower, Jinbei Yoshimura, who is even sung about in the local folk songs.
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Ochacha Mura Villaege
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Visitors get to taste test green teas and products, see and tour the warehouse factory where green tea is cultivated and packaged, and leave with a better understanding of the ever-so-popular tea. You can even experience the process of picking young green leaves for cultivation. |
General information
| Address | City hall : 12-30 Oaza-showa, Takeo-cho, Takeo-city, Saga-prefecture |
| Access |
25 minutes by a vehicle from Arita 50 minutes by a vehicle from Saga-city 80 minutes by a vehicle from Fukuoka-city 60 minutes by a vehicle from Nagasaki-city |
| Population | 48,000 Population density 250 |
Takeo and Ureshino
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Saga beef
Saga beef is esteemed as one of the best Wagyu beef brands in Japan. The cattle used for
our meats are fattened in adherence to the regulations of the Japan Agriculture Co-operative,
and we use only Japanese black cattle registered with their cattle traceability system.
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According to the Japan meat branded as Saga beef refers to meat from Japanese black cattle
farmed and fattened under the supervision of the Saga branch of the JA Group that has a Beef
Marbling Standard (BMS) of 7 or above and ranked at grades 4 or 5, corresponding with premium
quality, on the meat quality scale used by the Japan Meat Grading Association.
Featured Saga beef restaurant, Kitaa
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Tosu Premium Outlets
The biggest outlet mall in Kyushu located in Tosu, Saga-prefecture.
There are 150 famous shops from in/outside of japan.
The whole facility is made in Spanish colonial style that reminds you of Southern California.
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Opening hours
Shops / 10 AM – 8 PM
Food Court / 10 AM – 8 PM
Restaurants / 11 AM – 9 PM
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Your equiry can be sent by selecting the Enquiry Form link below.
You can also contact us by e-mail at info@japan-kyushu-tourist.com
And we would love to chat about your travel plans on the phone as well,
please ring our office a call in English Tel : +81-93-521-8897
Takeo & Yutoku Inari Shrine one-day tour
Takeo is a Onsen Resort, 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.
Yutoku Inari Shrine is one of the most famous Inari shrines in Japan.
Dedicated to Inari, the deity whose messengers are foxes, it is the third largest of its
kind in Japan.
Location of Takeo and Kashima
Tour conditions
The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.
・Minimum number : 2 person
・Maxum number : 30 person
・Tour date : please specify the date
・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.
(1) less than 8 person
a chartered taxi is used with English speaking driver
English speaking driver assist the tour as tour guide and tour attendant
(2) more than 9 person
a chartered bus is used with Japanese speaking driver
English speaking guide who also works as a tour attendant is accompanied
for assist the tour in the case of using a chartered bus
Itinerary
9:00 Depart Fukuoka-city
Transfer to Takeo
Exploring Takeo
Mifuneyama-rakuen Garden → Great Camphor tree at Takeo Shrine
Transfer Yutoki Inari Shrine
Exploring Yutoku Inari Shrine
Transfer to Fukuoka-city
17:00 Arrive Fukuoka-city
Where to explore
Beautiful Japanese Garden, located in the southwestern foot of Mifuneyama
Construction of the garden took about 3 years and completed in 1845, the area is about 5ha.
The dynamic cliffs of Mifuneyama Mountain can be seen from the gardesn.
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Great Camphor tree at Takeo Shrine
One of the oldest Camphor tree in Japan. The tree is one of the largest in Japan and over 3,000
years old. Designated a natural monument of the city. It is 30 m high, has a circumference of 20 m,
and its branches extend 30 m east-west and 33 m north-south.
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The landmark of Takeo Onsen. Romon Gate, which was designed by a renowned architect in
the Meiji Era, Kingo Tatsuno, and is at the entrance of the Onsen area.
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The Shrine was used as a Shooting location of Thailand drama. 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.
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Your equiry can be sent by selecting the Enquiry Form link below.
You can also contact us by e-mail at info@japan-kyushu-tourist.com
Tel : +81-93-521-8897, Fax : +81-93-521-8898
Address : AIM buiding 6th floor, 3-8-1 Asano, Kokura-kitaku, Kitakyushu-city, Fukuoka-prefecture
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
Arita & Imari one-day tour
Arita, famous for Arita yaki which is 400-years old porcelain. The piece is bright, elegant
pictures drawn in transparent white porcelain.
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.
Both places have different feature of porcelain respectively.
Location of Arita and Imari
Tour conditions
The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.
・Minimum number : 2 person
・Maxum number : 30 person
・Tour date : please specify the date
・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.
(1) less than 8 person
a chartered taxi is used with English speaking driver
English speaking driver assist the tour as tour guide and tour attendant
(2) more than 9 person
a chartered bus is used with Japanese speaking driver
English speaking guide who also works as a tour attendant is accompanied
for assist the tour in the case of using a chartered bus
Itinerary
9:00 Depart Fukuoka-city
Transfer to Arita
Exploring Arita
Arita Porcelain Park → Porcelain Manufacturer in Arita
Exploring Imari
Okawachiyama porcelain district
Transfer to Fukuoka-city
17:00 Arrive Fukuoka-city
Where to explore
Arita Porcelain Park
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Porcelain Manufacturer in Arita
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Okawachiyama porcelain district in Imari
Originally, an owner of the Imari porcelain was Nabeshima clan, in order to develop and protect
its outstanding technique, he gathered skilled artisans and painters in Okawachiyama district.
Now. about 30 ptteris are manufacturing Imari porcelain.
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Your equiry can be sent by selecting the Enquiry Form link below.
You can also contact us by e-mail at info@japan-kyushu-tourist.com
Tel : +81-93-521-8897, Fax : +81-93-521-8898
Address : AIM buiding 6th floor, 3-8-1 Asano, Kokura-kitaku, Kitakyushu-city, Fukuoka-prefecture
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