Saga is Kyushu's smallest prefecture but one of Japan's richest for traditional crafts, hot springs, and ancient history. Home to the 400-year porcelain traditions of Arita and Imari, the dramatic vermillion Yutoku Inari Shrine, the sprawling Yayoi-period Yoshinogari Historical Park, and the castle town of Karatsu with its famous morning squid market.
Historical sites
Places where Saga's past comes alive.
Yoshinogari Historical Park (Yayoi Settlement Ruins)
Where: Kanzaki District, Saga
Admission: Adult: ¥460 ($3.10) | Child: Free (junior high age and under); ¥200 ($1.30) for seniors 65+
Karatsu Castle (Maizuru Castle)
Where: Karatsu City
Admission: Adult: ¥500 ($3.30) | Child: ¥250 ($1.70)
Nagoya Castle Ruins (Hideyoshi's Korea Invasion Staging Base)
Where: Chinzei-cho, Karatsu City
Admission: Adult: Free (ruins and grounds) | Child: Free
Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum
Where: Chinzei-cho, Karatsu City
Admission: Adult: Free (special exhibitions priced separately) | Child: Free
Saga Castle History Museum (Honmaru Goten)
Where: Saga City
Admission: Adult: Free (donation requested) | Child: Free
Tozan Shrine (Porcelain Shrine of the Korean Potter Ri Sanpei)
Where: Arita
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Okawachiyama Secret Kiln Village (Nabeshima Domain Kilns)
Where: Imari
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Karatsu Kunchi Hikiyama Exhibition Hall
Where: Karatsu City
Admission: Adult: ¥310 ($2.10) | Child: ¥150 ($1)
Museums
Curated collections that tell Saga's story.
Kyushu Ceramic Museum
Hours: 9:00–17:00; closed Mondays (or following day if Monday is a holiday) and Dec 29–Jan 3
Admission: Adult: Free (special exhibitions priced separately) | Child: Free
Saga Balloon Museum
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed Mondays
Admission: Adult: ¥500 ($3.30) | Child: ¥200 ($1.30)