This story was written by Saga Shimbun Study Abroad Program students Yurika Nakao, Yuta Kitagawa and Shota Tanaka, as a result of their Study Abroad Program Writing Course, before embarking on Further Education study in Australia in 2007 and onwards.
Introduction.
Saga prefecture is located in Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands. Its population is about 866,000. The main city is Saga-shi, with a population of 203,500.
The climate is generally mild, with just a little snow in winter, but a hot, humid summer.
Saga is mainly an agricultural area, famous for saga beef, mikan (mandarin oranges), rice and vegetables. Fishing is also important, especially squid from Yobuko, on the Japan Sea coast.
It is also recognized throughout Japan and some parts of the world for its high quality porcelain ceramics.
Saga is internationally well known for its annual international balloon festival, attracting contestants and visitors from all over the world. Eight hundred thousand people attended this event in 2005.
History.
Saga has many areas of historical interest. One of the most famous historical places in Saga is in the east area. It is called 'Yoshinogari historical park', where we can see many different kinds of houses from the Yayoi period, some 2000 years ago.
Nature.
Saga prefecture's woodlands cover about 45% of the prefecture's area. In these woodlands we can see the kasasagi bird, which is the symbol of Saga, and is a celebration bird for Asian people. Recently, the kasasagi are less frequently seen, because they are losing their territory to crows.
Flower viewing.
Saga prefecture is famous for its cherry blossoms, especially in Ogi and Kono parks. The hydrangea in Ouchi Town, Karatsu City are amazingly beautiful, surrounding the Mikaeri waterfalls. Cosmos are famous in autumn. Shichimensou (Suaeda Japonica), which is a red flower and very unique, is well known in Saga. It grows near the Ariake Sea.
Hot Springs.
Saga is famous for its hot springs. There are three famous hot spring areas in Saga; Ureshino, Takeo and Furuyu. In Ureshino, which is located in the south area of Saga, there is a hot spring called 'Warakuen', which was the first Ryokucha onsen in Japan.
Food.
Saga beef is one of the best brands in Japan, ranking with Matsuzaka beef and Kobe beef. It is very soft, with a little well distributed fat.
Sashimi of squid (raw squid) is very famous in Saga, coming from Yobuko town, on the Japan Sea coast. Squid, sliced fresh and decorated on dishes are beautiful in appearance, and taste great!
Ceramics.
Saga is famous for its fine quality porcelain ceramics. The main centres for ceramics in Saga are Arita, Imari and Karatsu. Ceramics came to Saga from Korea at the end of the sixteenth century, when Lord Nabeshima brought Korean potters to Arita. Karatsu-yaki is recognized as one of the three great tea vessels of Japan.
Festivals and events.
The Sakae no kuni festival is held in summer, which all of the citizens of Saga attend, and dance and sing.
The Arita ceramic fair is a very famous event held in Arita Town twice a year. People view and buy ceramics at the many stalls, galleries and potteries located through the town.
Karatsu Kunchi is well known for its giant floats, which are very heavy, and need many people to pull them along.
The Imari Ton-Ten-Ton festival is one of the three great fighting festivals in Japan. The participants compete with portable shrines, crashing them against each other.
Fun.
There are many things in Saga to do in our leisure time. The Saga Prefecture Space Science Centre is famous for its various interesting exhibits, including a planetarium, and zero gravity machine.
There are many koi no bori (boy's day carp kites) to see above the river in Yamato in May, and we can ski at Mt. Tenzan in the winter.
Souvenirs.
Saga is famous for Ureshino green tea, taken home by many visitors. It is grown around Ureshino Town. The Warakuen hotel uses Ureshino green tea in its hot springs and shampoos.
Saga beef, seaweed from the Ariake Sea, and ceramics are other popular souvenirs of Saga.
Yurika, Yuta, and Shota,
Very interesting and informative article - thanks for telling us about Saga. The accompanying photos also help us to learn about Saga.
Would it be possible to add a map of Kyushu, marked with the towns that are mentioned in the story? We can always look on the internet for a map, but it would be nice to see one while reading the story.
Good luck in Australia.... and come visit the U.S. next!
Posted by: doreen | May 19, 2007 at 12:53 AM
Yurika Yuta and Shota - What a beautiful description of Saga - It defines what is the best of your region and a place that I must make time to visit - it will be recommended to my friends - I hope that when you visit Australia you will enjoy equally our country - many thanks - Eileen
Posted by: Eileen | May 26, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Nakaosan,Kitagawasan, Tanaksan,
I lived in Sasebo, Japan for 3 years. In Higashihama Cho to be more specific and I visited many places on Kyushu. My wife and kids and I went to the Saga balloon festival, to Arita-Hisami for the china-ware, and many, many, many other places. I left in December of 2006 and would pack everything I own up and move back today. I loved it there. Not only the places to visit and the festivals but the Japanese people are wonderful. We have very close Japanese friends we stay in touch with and plan on visiting sometime in the future. I love the United States but I fell in love with Japan in 1993 when I was stationed in Yokosuka Japan and always wanted to go back. I finally got the chance and again want to go back. You are from a very beautiful and interesting place full of history!
V/R
Brian
Posted by: Brian Hightower | June 14, 2007 at 05:58 AM
Thank you for the info. I am a senior, and will be travelling via Hong Kong to Fukuoka in October to visit my neice who is teaching in Kokura. She has kindly offered me accomodation, but I am unsure as to the best method of travel to get me from Fukuoka to her place in Kokure. Is the train my best bet? Thanks for any info. you can give me, Sincerely Betty T
Posted by: Betty Tyrrell | July 14, 2007 at 10:48 PM
Betty, the best way to get from Fukuoka to Kokura is either by bus, or by train. Train is the fastest, taking only a very short time (15 minutes?), and both stations are modern, and very easy to find your way around. The Fukuoka station is in the Hakata area of Fukuoka. You can easily get to Hakata station by subway train directly from the airport.
Posted by: Ray Kinnane | July 18, 2007 at 12:23 AM
I commend the three of you on an exceptional job. Very well done. I am an English teacher at several Japanese universities in the Kansai area, and I hope my Internet English classes can get some inspiration from your work. Kudos.
Posted by: Tony Silva | June 21, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I got to know Saga through this wonderful narrative and accompanying photo. I have a friend living in Yamato, a little town just North of Saga. I didn't know much about the area till I read this story. Now, I understand a lot more about my friend and her roots.
Posted by: Steve | July 21, 2008 at 06:29 AM
I lived in Saga for about one year from 2006-2007. It's a wonderful city. The people are nice and there are many places to go. It's just one hour by bus from Fukuoka. Thanks to Yurika, Yuta, and Shota for writing this. The pictures bring back the sweet memory. Wish that one day I can go back to Saga.
Posted by: Ayomi Rindang | August 15, 2008 at 10:27 PM