Occupying a northwest corner of the southern island of Kyushu, Saga Prefecture has coasts facing both the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea and is famous for Arita porcelain as well as its excellent seafood.
1. Saga Castle History Museum
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
This museum showcases Saga’s attractiveness and energy during the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time in history that paved the way for Japan's modernization.
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Saga Castle History Museum is a faithful reconstruction of a part of Saga Castle's honmaru (main keep), which existed here during the end of the Edo Period. It boasts a status as one of the largest wooden reconstructions in Japan. The building is surrounded by historical scenes such as a tenshudai, moat, and Shachi no Mon, or Killer Whale Gate, which is a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Saga Castle History Museum
2 Chome-18-1 Jonai, Saga, 840-0041
2. Kitagata Shiki no Oka Park
Kitagata Shiki-no-Oka Park is a waterside park with flowers that bloom wildly in all four seasons and lush greenery. The park is situated on the hilly ground beside the scenic Yakimai-tameike Lake. From the lookout, visitors have a panoramic view of the lake, and grand mountains such as Mount Kishima, as well as the Rokkaku River, which snakes from east to west. The resource center in the park exhibits tools once used in coal mines as well as old-fashioned farming tools. Every year on the last Sunday in April, the "Shiki-no-Oka Festa in Kitagata" is held.
Kitagata Shiki no Oka Park
5581 Kitagatacho Oaza Shiku, Takeo, Saga 849-2201
3. Mt. Hachimandake (Prefectural Natural Park)
From the summit of Mt. Hachimandake, you can enjoy majestic views of the Genkai Sea to the north, Saga plains and Ariake Sea to the south, Mt. Kurogami to the southwest, as well as the mountains of Taradake and Unzen in the distance.
This entire area has been designated a Prefectural Natural Park and features the Kyushu Nature Walk and a camping ground, making this area ideal for casual hiking. At the foot of the mountain lies the Warabino rice terraces, which have been chosen as Japan's most beautiful rice terraces.
Mt. Hachiman
Ochicho Hirayamakami, Karatsu, Saga 849-3203
4. Yobuko Ohashi Bridge
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Yobuko Town in Karatsu City, blessed with a good natural port, once flourished as a base for whaling.
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
These days it is visited by many sightseers all year round, who come seeking fresh seafood by trying fresh squid sashimi or visiting Yobuko Morning Market. Yobuko Ohashi Bridge, over 728 meters in length, is said to be the symbol of Yobuko. Kabeshima Island, which is across the bridge, has plenty to see, including "Kaze-no-Mieruoka Park," Tashima Shrine, which is shrouded in the legend of Princess Sayo Matsura, and an array of gourmet spots.
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Yobuko Ohashi Bridge
Kabejima, Yobuko-cho, Karatsu-shi, Saga 847-0305
5. Cape Hado
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
This beautiful cape has a lot to offer – swimming in pristine sea…
