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Saga Tourist Spot Access Ranking

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There are 79 tourist spots.

Guesthouse located on the high ground looking towards Cape Hado, with ocean view for all rooms.
At this guesthouse at the westernmost tip of Kyushu Region, the beauty of sunset submerging into the wide spreading Genkai Sea is a must-see sight.

Chinzeimati Guesthouse Hadomisaki

The original castle was built in 1608 by Terazawa Hirotaka, the first lord of the Karatsu Domain. The present castle keep tower was newly built in 1966 and you can overlook the Niji No Matsubara Pine Grove and the Karatsu Bay and the downtown area of Karatsu City from the top floor.
It is also well known as a viewing spot of cherry blossoms and wisteria in Spring.

Karatsu Castle

Niji No Matsubara is a black pine grove created artificially by the order of Terasawa Shimanokami Hirotaka, who was the first load of Karatsu Domain, in order for the purpose of preventing the wind and sand from the beach. Total length is about 4.5 km, it is counted as one of the 3 major pine groves in Japan.

Niji No Matsubara Pine Grove

This 283.6 meter-tall mountain, Mt. Kagamiyama is known for the mythical tragic love story of Princess Sayo Matsuura. You can enjoy the panoramic view of Niji No Matsubara Pine Groves and the Karatsu Bay from the mountain top observation deck. It is also famous as a place to see cherry blossoms and azaleas. In spring, the climbing trail turns into a tunnel of cherry blossoms.

Mt. Kagamiyama

Hikiyama Exhibition Hall

The construction of the main office of the Karatsu Bank was completed in 1912. The building was designed by Dr. Kingo Tatsuno, who was originally from Karatsu area and is today known as a designer of Tokyo Station, the main office of Bank of Japan and many other famous buildings. He is a representative architect of the Meiji era.

Former Karatsu Bank

This is an old mansion of Koreyoshi Takatori, who was known as the owner of Kishima coal mine and other business enterprises. There are two large buildings on the site of about 300 square meters. Those buildings have various unique features such as a noh stage in the hall, fanlight with plant and animal carvings, paintings on the sliding doors and etc.

Former Takatori Residence

This kiln has been succeeded over generations from the end of the 16th Century to the present day. The exhibition section features the works by the 14th Nakazato Tarouemon and other products from the kiln. On the site, there are also the ruins of an old historic kiln (Tojinmachi Ochawan Gama), which used to be dedicated to the local government of the old Karatsu Domain and are designated as a national historic site today.

Nakazato Tarouemon Kiln

Along Ochawangama Street, there are famous Karatsu pottery kilns such as Nakazato Tarouemon Kiln as well as the ruins of the official kiln of the Karatsu Domain. Inlaid pottery pieces with patterns drew by the 13th Nakazato Trouemon can be found everywhere on the street.

Ochawangama Street

The morning market of Yobuko is counted as one of the three major morning markets in Japan. About 40 street stalls on weekdays and about 60 on weekends and public holidays will be lined up selling fresh and dried seafood, vegetables, fruits and other items.

Yobuko Morning Market

The former Nakao Residence is the remains of the former residence of the Nakao family who gained enormous wealth as a owner of a whaling group through whaling during the Edo period until the beginning of the Meiji era.

Former Nakao Residence

Marinepal Yobuko mainly operates two sightseeing boats; Zeela is a marine observatory boat which allows you to take in the underwater scenery with the fish swimming naturally on the current . Ikamaru is a sightseeing boat which cruises around Nanatsugama sea caves.

Marinepal Yobuko

Nanatsugama caves are created by the rough wind and waves of the Genkai Sea eroding a basalt coast and designated as a natural property by the national government. It makes you feel the wonder of nature.

Nanatsugama Caves

Nagoya Castle Museum

Nagoya Castle was built as a base from which soldiers were dispatched to Korea when Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded the country. The castle site is 17 hectare and back then was the second largest castle following Osaka Castle. Over 130 encampments of the vassal warlords were installed in the area around the castle at the time and attracted over 200 thousand people from around the nation.

Nagoya Castle Ruins

Hado Cape is located in the northeast edge of the Higashi Matsuura Peninsula sticking out into the Genkai Sea. At the finish point of Kyushu Olle Karatsu Course, there are lines of food stalls serving grilled turban shells,

Hado Cape

More than 200,000 people visit the shrine every year to wish themselves good luck on earning money, winning the lottery, and other events.

Houtou Shrine

The terraced rice fields of Warabino, known as one of the best 100 terraced rice fields in Japan, spread in the shape of a folding hand fan on the northern hillside of Mt. Hachimandake located almost in the center of Saga.

Terraced Rice Fields of Warabino

Kashibaru Shitsugen (wetland), also known as

Kashibaru Shitsugen (Wetland)

Mikaeri No Taki Falls of Ikisa River consists of male falls and female falls, which are selected as ones of the best 100 falls in Japan. In June, 400 thousand hydrangea in 50 kinds will bloom around the falls and along the lower stream of the river.

Mikaeri No Taki Falls

Located at the foot of Sakureizan (altitude of 887m) in Kyuragi Town which is surrounded by nature, you can enjoy walking and watching the leaves turning red and yellow here in mid-November.
　When you feel tired, you can have a little rest at the reconstructed old house

Kankyo Geijutsu No Mori Park

This picturesque scenery has been designated as one of Japan's best 100 waterfalls. There is a walking path along the ravine that consists of 8 waterfalls and pools as well as temples such as Ikume Kan'non temple which is said to heal eye troubles and Fukujyuin Temple.

Kan'non Falls

Fureai Nature School Hizen surrounded by the Genkai Quasi-National Park, Iroha Island, is completed with cottage camping sites open year-round, hands-on pottery workshops, Goemon Bathing experience, and sea kayaking experience (available March 20th to November 20th). Come by and experience the world that almost feels too quiet.

Fureai Nature School Hizen

This facility always has a good collection of sightseeing brochures and pamphlets and is providing sightseeing advice to visitors. Its utmost purpose is to preserve the history and culture of Hamatama-machi and hand over Hamasaki Gion Festival to the next generation in cooperation with Yamakasa Promotion Association.

Hamasaki Gion Festival Float Preservation Center

The garden has the Kyushu's largest worldwide collection of peonies; 80 types, 2,500 plants and 30 types, 30,000 Chinese peonies. Bring the entire family and have fun at the open-grass field or the Children's Forest with slides, swings, and assorted play equipment.

Botan To Midori No Oka (Peony and Green Hill Park)

You can enjoy the view of islands floating in the Genkai Sea from the deck of this tower, which is connected to the land with a bridge, and from the underwater observation tower located 7 meters below the sea-level, you can observe black sea bream, grass puffer, neon damselfish and many other kinds of fish swimming around and seaweeds such as sea oak, hondawara brown alga in their natural habitat.

Genkai Undersea Observatory Tower

In order to convey the achievements and personality of Hideo Murata to the future generations, this museum was built in 2014 in Ouchi-cho, the home of the singer. Enjoy the world of Hideo Murata, the king of Japanese Showa music.

Hideo Murata Memorial Museum

It is a botanical garden located in the middle of Mt. Kagamiyama. There are hundreds of kinds of begonia exhibited and on sale. You can enjoy not only the begonia but also other beautiful flowers throughout the year but it is recommended to visit here in spring.

Ponpoko Village Begonia Garden

The terrace rice fields facing the Genkai Sea become filled up with water from mid-April and fully planted with rice by early May. During this period, especially when the setting sun dyes the ocean surface and the rice paddies all orange, the geometric patterns formed by the paths between the paddies create a fantastic atmosphere.

Terraced Rice Fields of Hamanoura

Genkai PR Center, the facility themed on the power of science and power of people, and the Square of Sun (Taiyo No Hiroba) will welcome you with seasonal nature, sun, wind and water.
This is a facility themed on the interaction among human, nature and atomic power and other forms of energy.

Genkai Energy Park

Asupia is a facility where you can learn about next-generation energy such as solar energy, wind power, hydro power, biomass power and hydrogen while having fun.
Think about the next-generation energy, experience it and discover a tip for the lively Future!

Energy Park Asupia

There is an exhibition of relics from the remains of Japan's oldest we-farming site, Nabatake Ruins and also pit houses and paddy fields have been restored on site.

Karatsu-shi Matsurokan

Ceramics found during the excavation of the Karatsu Castle Ruins and materials to show people's lives back in the Edo period are displayed. Since 2010, a part of the building has been opened to public as a repair space for the

Nishinomonkan

The facility is named after the gate's name from the era of feudal domain of Karatsu and can be used for cultural, social and/or educational activity of citizens such as Tea ceremony, Flower arranging and Noh play.

Uzumemon No Yakata

This beach spreads out towards the Genkai Sea. Cold showers, a underwater observatory and a reasonable hotel are conveniently located nearby.

Middle of July-August

Hado Cape Beach

We make tea bowls and tableware of traditional Karatsu ware and sell them at the showroom.

Workshops for hand forming and overglaze painting are available upon reservation.

You can observe the studio and Noborigama kiln (climbing kiln) freely. (However, only attending the factory tour is not available.)

Kyouzan Kiln

Natural fish like red sea bream and horse mackerel caught in fixed net from Kariya Bay are released in a pond.
You can come empty handed as we rent out fishing rods and baits are available for sale!!
Enjoy the best part of fishing with your family for a day.

Kariya Bay Yugyo (Fishing) Center

This shrine is related to one of Japan's 3 tragic love stories,

Tajima Shrine

Karatsu City Tourist Information provides tourist information on Karatsu Kunchi Festival and other events as well as accommodations, historical sites and other tourist features in the city.

Karatsu Station Tourist Information Center

Here, you can get general tourist information of the Yobuko Area.

Yobuko Tourist Information Center

We are promoting and providing the tourist information of the local area.

History Tourism in Hizen Nagoya Castle Chinzei Tourist Information Office

You can visit here for maps, sightseeing brochures and various other information of Karatsu City and Genkai Town.

Karatsu Tourism Association Genkai Office

Most of the pottery pieces that are on exhibit and/or for sale are the works of Tarouemon Nakazato from Karatsu and Kakiemon Sakaida and Imaemon Imaizumi from Arita. In addition, pieces of Takashi Nakazato, Taki Nakazato, Hanako Nakazato and other young artists can be enjoyed and purchased here as well.

ICHIBANKAN

In this event, you can fully enjoy the aesthetics of Karatsu pottery, which have been loved by many tea ceremony masters and other cultural figures. Based on the theme of “the marriage between food and dish,” the event features exhibitions and sales of karatsu pottery as well as collaborative events by pottery makers and restaurants.

Apr-May: Karatsu Ceramic Fair

Koyaji Temple, which was established by Kukai, is famous for its shakunage (Rhododendron) flowers. The 300 year old shakunage bush is a magnificent sight to behold and every year in April a Shakunage Festival is held.

Apr-May: Rhododendron in Koyaji Temple

This event is held at Kyushu’s largest peony garden named “Botan To Midori No Oka,” where you can see all kinds of peonies from around the world in full bloom. Outside the garden are forest, grass square, bamboo forest and other recreational spaces for kids. The first half of the festival period is the best time to view a tree peony and the latter half for Chinese peony.

Apr-May: Peony Festival

The wisteria here is over 100 years old, and it is designated as a natural monument of the city. The size of the wisteria trellis is about 500 square meters, and each of the stems with wisteria flowers draping from the ceiling is 1.3 meters long. You will be fascinated by the scenery created by a total of 500 thousand beautiful wisteria flowers.

Apr-May: Wisteria of Maizuru Park in Karatsu Castle

The history of this tug of war event traces back to the time when Toyotomi Hideyoshi set up his camp in Nagoya and made the troops of Kato Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori compete in a tug of war. It has a history of 420 years and is competed between the land team and sea team. If the land team wins, it is believed to be foretelling the good harvest of the coming year, if the sea team wins, the good catch of seafood. It is held on the first Saturday of June, every year.

Jun: Yobuko Great Tug of War

About 40 thousand hydrangea flowers beautifully bloom around the Mikaeri No Taki Falls, which have been selected as one of the best 100 falls of Japan.

Jun: Mikaeri No Taki Falls Hydrangea Festival

This firework festival is one of the main summer events in Karatsu City, Saga. Approximately six thousand fireworks will be in the sky while more than two hundred thousand visitors come and watch. The climax is 2-feet fireworks and set fireworks called Niagara fall. The big and gorgeous fireworks shot off with Karatsu Castle in the background, decorate the summer sky.

Jul: Kyushu Firework Festival

In this event, participants will try to reach the goal by walking, swimming and climbing in the nature located along the downstream of Kan’non no Taki Falls. Registration is required to participate in the event.

Jul: International Shower Climbing in Nanayama

About 50 acres of

Nov: Autumn Foliage at Kankyo Geijutsu No Mori Park

The Karatsu Shrine's autumn festival

Nov: Karatsu Kunchi

Kadomatsu and shimekazari, the New Year’s ornaments, are gathered from around the city, piled up on the shrine site and put on fire to offer a prayer for good health and safety of families for the coming new year.

Jan: Onja Onja Bonfire

5,000 trees of Someiyoshino bloom here. The observatory on the summit overlooks a panoramic view of Karatsu City. Also, the path along the hillside is lined with cherry trees on both sides, which make a tunnel of cherry blossoms.

Mar-Apr: Cherry Blossom in Mt. Kagamiyama

Nagoya Castle Ruins is scattered with many atmospheric stone walls and has about 400 Someiyoshino cherry blossom trees and other plants that will come in full bloom in spring. The site is adjoined by Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum and the cafe “Chaen Kaigetsu,” which features an authentic tea ceremony room and a Japanese garden. The surrounding area also has many sites of old battle camps of famous feudal warlords. As the area is also a part of “Kyushu Olle Karatsu Course,” it would be a good idea to have a walking tour around here. Also worth checking out here is the night time lighting up of Nagoya Castle Ruins, which is held only during a certain period.

Mar-Apr: Cherry Blossoms of Nagoya Castle Ruins

Around the ruins of Nagoya Castle, there are ruins of 130 army camp sites constructed by over 160 warlords from all over Japan. Among them, The ones of Ieyasu Tokugawa, Masamune Date, Toshiie Maeda, Nagamasa Kuroda, Hideharu Hori and other notable warlords have been designated as the National Historic Sites of Japan and the stone walls and earthen walls have been well-preserved. Quite a large part of Hideharu Hori's camp site still remains in a good condition and you can feel the traditional Japanese culture from the ruins such as the tea ceremony room, Noh play stage and so on.

Ruins of Hori Hideharu's Army Camp [Olle]

Taste of the matcha green tea you can have at cafe

Chaen Kaigetsu [Olle]

At the parking lot of the Hado Cape Beach, the last destination of the Karatsu Olle Course, there are small stalls lined up. Those stalls are run by the local women serving the turban shells grown in the rough sea of the Genkai Sea and grilled right in front of you. The taste gets sweeter as you chew them. You may also enjoy overnight-dried squid, abalone and oysters (Dec thru March).

Turban Shell (Sazae) Grill Stalls [Olle]

Flowers of about 200 trees in the plum garden of Kagami Shrine, which is related to the Tale of Genji, will bloom. From mid-May ~ late June,

Kagami Shrine

100 years old weeping red plum tree with height of 6m and tree girth of 1m. Right next to this old tree, an old-timer 60-year-old tree will bloom and entertain the eyes of visitors.

Feb - Mar　Arisuda Family　Weeping Plum Blossoms

There are plum trees 700m upstream of Kyuragi Dam. About 300 plum trees will bloom beautifully. Plum harvesting can be enjoyed in June.
(Advance registration is required for plum harvesting)

Feb - Mar　Plum Blossoms of Kyuragi Dam

About 60 trees in Karyu Park and 80 trees in the surrounding area of the Sports Park upstream of Kyuragi Dam will bloom. There are also a spring water collection site and hydrophilic revetment in the Sports Park.

Mar - Apr　Cherry Blossoms of Kyuragi Dam

At the Hirabaru area, amazing old plum blossoms trees of traditional houses can be seen. At Yoshimura's Residence, there is a pink weeping plum blossoms tree which is about a hundred years old、softly spreading out its branches.

Yoshimura's Residence

Approximately 220 cherry blossoms trees such as Somei Yoshino bloom in the center of Karatsu castle. The place is crowded with people who come to enjoy the elegant figure of Karatsu castle and cherry blossoms.

March　Cherry Blossoms of Karatsu Castle

About 40 Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms trees of over 30 years old will be in full bloom. As they are located 300 meters above sea level, you can also see the Karatsu Bay.

Mar - Apr　Ono Sakura-no-Sato

It is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered Date Masamune to bring and plant this cheery blossom tree as an apology for relocating the temple when he sent troops to Korea.

Hokoji Temple

The

Kinuboshiyamasakura Park

The characteristics of Kawazu cherry blossoms are that they bloom early and have a darker pink color than Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms. At

Feb - Mar　Kawazu Cherry Blossoms of Mikaeri No Taki Falls

Taking its pride as one of Kyushu's most prominent waterfall, being selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls, Mikaeri No Taki Falls is a secret spot of autumn leaves in autumn. Fully enjoy the beauty of natural colors and falling waterfalls.

November　Autumn Leaves of Mikaeri No Taki Falls

Karae is a multiplex with a hotel, movie theater, shared office spaces, café & dining, satellite shops, and a Karatsuyaki Ware Gallery.

The below are the tenants:
1F: Movie Theater

KARAE

It is located at a quiet place surrounded by nature and facing the downstream of

LOFTY NANAYAMA

Hadomisaki camp site is a campsite that is under prefectural management, and surrounded by the ocean, rich nature and historical heritage.
It reopened after renovations in July 2018. They newly founded shipping container home and private premium area with the newest camping equipment for groups, RV camping area, and standard campsite has now been expanded!
Forget about your daily woes by relaxing in a hammock and by a bon fire.

波戸岬キャンプ場

You can enjoy cool and comfortable camping even in summer at high altitude.
It is a recommended campground for those who wish to enjoy nature as it is with minimal facilities.

【Camp Site】Hachimandake Camping Ground

It is a local direct market with a wonderful view of the white bridge over the blue sea and green Takashima.
We have fresh local produce and seafood.
Yume Misaki rice dumpling with the exquisite sweetness of sweet potatoes and red bean paste are also popular.

Hizen Yume Misaki

Geejo Castle is a mountain castle constructed by connecting two peaks, Geejo Mountain, which is the eastern end of the mountain chain, and Boju Mountain, which is connected to the ridge of the ridge, with earthworks measuring 4.3 km.There is a 15-meter-wide passageway called the roadway, which is about 20 meters wide and sharply cut off on the outside of the mound.In the middle of the mound, there are the remains of the Hokteimon Gate and the Tohoku Gate leading to the Dazaifu side, and the cornerstone remains.
You can enjoy grass skiing from March to May and from September to November on the slope facing the ruins of the castle for 300 yen.

Kurisozui Ancient Tomb

Nagoya Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi about 400 years ago. The tea garden

Nagoya Castle "Chaen” Kaigetsu

The farm-direct store managed by JA Karatsu. We offer fresh ingredients such as a world-class branded Saga beef, vegetables, fruit, and marine products from the Genkai Sea. The on-site restaurant offers a large variety on the menu including all-you-can-eat Lunch Buffet.

JA Karatsu Karatsu Umakamon Ichiba

Onyado KAISYU