Saga Prefecture, nestled in the northwest of the island of Kyushu, might be home to some of the coolest experiences that one can have in Japan. Just a short flight of less than two hours from Tokyo, or a quick train ride under an hour from Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture has more than enough highlights for a wonderful trip.
Arita and Imari Ware
One of the most famous products of Saga Prefecture is its ceramics and porcelain ware. The towns of both Arita and Imari produce stunning pieces that will leave you wondering how many you can fit into your suitcase. Characterised by beautiful designs, striking blues, whites, and other colours, Arita and Imari ware are distinctly recognisable. The first porcelain firing is thought to have been in Saga Prefecture, in addition to the first firing with various different colours. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), porcelain from Arita and Imari were exported by the Dutch East India Company and became commonplace among Europe. Still famous to this day, the Arita area is a perfect spot to visit and collect some beautiful decorative and useful pieces. Imari City has a plethora of historical kilns and the Imari City Pottery Merchant Museum, where you can see Imari ware displayed in a traditional Edo period house.
You can visit Sueyama Shrine for a unique porcelain shrine experience. Walking up to the shrine, the first thing that you encounter is a large porcelain torii gate. While toriis are traditionally red, this one is blue and white, beautifully decorated and designed in the way of Arita ware. When you finish your shrine visit, you can pick up even more unique shrine goods, as they are also made of porcelain!
Arita Porcelain Park is another wonderful spot to check out in the area as it is designed after 18th century German architecture. Inside the park you can see a multitude of historical objects and ceramics, also including a sake brewery that you can taste and experience various types of sake and even shochu.
Kannon and Mikaeri Falls
Japan’s list of 100 waterfalls from the Ministry of the Environment consists of waterfalls from all around the country. Two of the waterfalls on the list are located in Saga Prefecture, namely Kannon and Mikaeri Falls. Both of them are located in the northern part of the prefecture, with Mikaeri Falls near the town of Ochi and Kannon Falls near Nanayama. Mikaeri Falls has thousands and thousands of hydrangeas that bloom in summer around the waterfall and the approach to the falls that paint the landscape in multiple different colours. Reachable by a moderate trek from Ochi Station or a car ride to a few closer parking lots, there are multiple stunning views of the waterfall all year round.
Kannon Falls is around 30 metres tall and is made up of 8 different streams and pools, all with their own stories, such as the Shirakin Falls, named for its silky appearance. Making up part of the Taki River that flows toward Karatsu Bay, the waterfall tumbles down a rocky face in between lush greenery. From Hamasaki Station, you can take a cab or rent a car to reach the falls.
Genkai Nada Sea
Not to forget in Saga Prefecture are some of its beautiful natural features. The Genkai Sea in the Northwestern area of the prefecture is home to Cape Hado, which has an underwater observation tower, Nijinomatsubara, a massive grove of Japanese pine trees, and Nanatsugama Caves, a unique geologic feature created by erosion from the sea of coastal basalt. The observation deck at Cape Hado will let you see the plethora of sea life in the Genkai Sea, in addition to the above ground deck where you can see the many islands also in the sea.
Nijinomatsubara is composed of nearly 1 million trees, and it is rumoured that while Hideyoshi Toyotomi (a daimyo of the Sengoku and Azuchi Momoyama periods) passed through the forest, he scolded cicadas for making noise, and thus no more cicadas sing anymore. Nanatsugama Caves are a series of seven caves, all made of columnar basalt, and depending on the conditions of the day, you can take a boat tour that weaves in and around these unique caves.
Iroha Islands
The Iroha Islands are a collection of 48 islands in Genkai Quasi-National Park, made famous by the Buddhist monk Kukai, who was the originator of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Shikoku. The islands are all quite small, which make for stunning views as they dot the landscape. From the Iroha Islands Observation Deck you can get an all encompassing view of the many islands, and it is a perfect spot for summer camping, swimming, and even sea kayaking. If you enjoy big views and relaxing by the sea, this may be the perfect spot to visit!
Ureshino Tea
Saga Prefecture is also famous for its tea. Dating back to the 12th century, where the monk Eisai brought seeds back from China and planted them on the Sefuri Mountains. Ureshino is located in the southwest of Saga Prefecture, near the border with Nagasaki. Saga Prefecture cultivates and produces multiple types of tea, including kamairicha and tamaryokucha. Kamairicha is characterised by sweetness, and the tea is also pan-roasted. Tamaryokucha is made through a steaming method, with more of a mild taste. There are many different ways to experience this ‘Tea Tourism’, you can visit local tea farmers and experts, learn the production methods and taste the various types of tea. You can also participate in tea ceremonies as well.
Yutoku Inari Shrine
A perfect way to complete your Saga adventure is to visit Yutoku Inari Shrine, one of the 3 main inari shrines in addition to Kasama Inari Shrine in While you may know of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and its many red torii gates that lead to the summit of Mt. Inari, Yutoku Inari Shrine rivals the Kyoto giant in beauty and size. Located in the southwest of the prefecture, east of Ureshino, in the city of Kashima, the shrine dates back to the 17th century. The main hall of the shrine is elevated, akin to Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto, it is actually at a higher elevation! Azaleas bloom en masse in nearby Higashiyama Park and you can visit the Yutoku Museum to learn more about the history of the shrine and area, in addition to seeing various historical artefacts. The ornate decorations and stunning views of the Ariake Sea will show why this shrine is visited by millions each year.
Saga Prefecture might be the smallest prefecture of Kyushu, but the experiences available and the sights to see should make it one of the top destinations to visit in all of Japan. So why not add some ceramics, tea, or island views to your next itinerary?
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