Eight Knacks to Play in Saga

It is said that, Ureshino Onsen originates from the 8th century. It is one of the three "beauty hot springs" in Japan. Here, there are about 50 hot spring hotels. The water of the hot spring contains lots of sodium which makes skin soft and smooth. Parts of the hot springs are drinkable. For examples, Yudofu, a famous food in Saga, is cooked with the water of the hot spring in Ureshino. Ureshino is production place of tea, so there is also the hot spring soused with tea, fragrant and nutritious.

The morning market of Yobuko Fishing Port is one of the three morning markets in Japan. It has a history of more than 100 years. From 7:30 to 12:00 in the morning, about 50 stall keepers stand in the morning market with the length of only 200m. There are various fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits and flowers. Here, you can experience the flavor of the fishing port. What you cannot miss here is the Kobuko inkfish, the famous product of Kobuko. Kobuko inkfish is almost transparent. One part of Kobuko inkfish can be made into sashimi, while the other part can be made into tempura. These two eating methods embody different delicate flavors of inkfish.

Karatsu is located in the north of Saga. It gets the name for in the Tang Dynasty, it was the port for the ships to sail to the ports of China. There is no doubt that the landmark at present is Karatsu Castle which was built 400 years ago. The castle was built near the sea. Terasawa Hirotaka, the seignior of Karatsu, ordered to spend 7 years on building this castle. After going to Tenshukak, you can overlook the sceneries of Karatsu. There are multiple specialty stores of Karatsu ceramic in Karatsu, you can buy some cups and dishes of primitive simplicity.

Yoshinogariiseki is the relic of the largest relic in the Yayoi era of Japan. Its size is about 50 hectares. The relic was discovered in 1986, and its unearthed objects are also recognized as the important cultural heritages of Japan. Taking Yoshinogariiseki as the center, the relics of the Yayoi era have been recovered about 500 tombs and columns have been reproduced. In the park, you can experiences the living skills of making fire as in the ancient time and magatama manufacturing.

Arita is the birthplace of Japanese porcelains. The aritayaki produced in Arita is with the history of more than 400 years. Porcelain Art Museum in Arita Porcelain Park is built by imitating Ziweigen Plaace in Germany. The bough pot of 180cm high and exhibited in the 1870 Vienna World Exposition is one of the enshrinements you have to see. In the park, there is the workshop of aritayaki, so you can enjoy the interest of clay pinching and colored drawing.

Arita porcelain market which is held at the end of April and the beginning of May in each year is a grand local festival. On the road with the length of about 4km, there are about 500 stores where you can buy the objects you like as you like. At ordinary times, if you go up to Arita, you can go for a walk on old Sarayama, go to kiln and Boutique stores, and you will gain a lot.

Tosu Outlets is located in Tosu of Saga, and it is close to Fukuoka and with convenient traffic. Tosu Outlets is a large outlets gathering more than 150 famous brands of Japan and other countries. Here, you can buy the products of famous internal brands, affordable luxury brands, fast fashion and Japanese brands. We recommend several brands which are popular with Japanese young girls, such as Lowrys Farm and Nice Claup. The products of these brands are with fashion styles & designs, and cheap prices. By the way, you can use UnionPay cards to pay here, which is very convenient.

At the first ten days of November in each year, Saga will hold international balloon festival with the largest scale in Asia. So far, more than 30 balloon festivals have been successfully hosted. The site of the festival is the opening country of Saga which is near to Karai River and it is about a distance of two stations to Saga Station. On the site, the flow is stable, and the terrain is suitable for the landing of hot air balloon. At that time, there will be more than 100 colorful hot air balloons from all over the world to lift-off at the same time, the scene is gorgeous and ground.

Generally, competitive race will be arranged in the norming or at dusk, for this time is suitable for the lift-off of air balloons. 9:00 to 10:30 in the morning is the time of BalloonFantasia, there will be various hot air balloons. At the last two night of the festival, there will be night activities. All the hot air balloons will stop on the grass of the riverside. Cooperating with the music performance on the site, the hot air balloons will be lighted. At last, there will be fireworks, the atmosphere is very dreamlike. Holding time (2019): November 1 to November15

Locating in the front of Saga station, Kira is one of the preferred restaurants to taste the authentic Saga beef in Saga. Using the best ingredients, while it provides you a reasonable price. As the outlet store of "JA Saga", the Saga beef selected by Kira belongs to the highest level of A5 grade or above. Bright red meat tissue together with white frost-fall pattern constitute a most attractive picture. Take one bite, the delicious gravy effuses from the creamy fat while melting in your mouth. It deserves to be named as the Michelin-recommended restaurant.