Saga Hidden Gems
Japan's porcelain heartland — the kilns of Arita and Imari, plus a seaside shrine and one of the country's oldest onsen.
5 spots
Climate & Best Season
Warm and humid with heavy early-summer rain; mild winters. The Arita pottery fair in late April draws the biggest crowds.
Famous For (Food)
- Saga beef
- Yobuko squid
- Takezaki crab
- Ureshino tea
Signature Sights
- Arita & Imari kilns
- Yutoku Inari Shrine
- Ureshino Onsen
- Yoshinogari archaeological site
Yobuko Morning Market — Japan's Freshest Squid
Yobuko is a tiny fishing port at the northern tip of the Higashimatsuura Peninsula, accessible only by car from Karatsu,…
Ureshino Tea — 550-Year-Old Hillside Garden
Ureshino-cha is the collective name for teas grown in the mineral-rich hills around Ureshino Onsen — a tradition establi…
Ureshino Shochu Distillery — Imo-Jochu from the Source
Ureshino City and its surrounding hills have been producing imo-jochu (sweet potato shochu) since the Edo period, using…
Saga Beef Kappo Dining — Japan's Hidden Wagyu Secret
Saga beef (佐賀牛) consistently ranks in Japan's top 5 wagyu evaluations — ahead of the nationally famous Kobe beef in fat…
Karatsu Bay Sunset Fishing — Nighttime Ika Experience
From June to October, the fishing boats of Karatsu Bay go out at sunset using bright lights to attract squid to the surf…