Top Things to do in Saga Prefecture
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Things to do in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Discover the best top things to do in Saga Prefecture, Japan including Imaizumi Uemon Gama, Imari Okawachiyama, Daikozenji Temple, Takeo no Okusu, Kunenan, Karatsu Castle, Nijino Matsubara, Udono Sekibutsugun, Takuseibyo, Kawagono Okusu.
Restaurants in Saga Prefecture
1. Imaizumi Uemon Gama
2. Imari Okawachiyama
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By dileas2
Despite the fact that it took around 9 hours from Tokyo, using various types of transport, i was determined to return to this beautiful village. Still as stunning as I'd remembered it. There are a few buses a day from Imari but I'd missed the last one around 3.30 so had to take a taxi. It wasn't expensive. Wandered around for an hour or so taking photos, visiting potteries, drinking tea and then got the bus back to Imari. Had about 45 mins to wait for a train at Arita on the return journey the next day so had a look round there too. It's also beautiful. There's a pottery museum there which I'd been to previously but didn't have time on this occasion. Using JR Pass, only had to pay for private train from Arita and taxi.Returning next year!
3. Daikozenji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States
We came to see autumn foliage and there is plenty of it here. 127 steep steps take you up to the temple. We had to wait a while at the bottom to be able to take a photo with no people on the stairs. A magnificent tree right behind the torii at the top of the stairs is worth some time. The temple grounds did not seem to be very big at first, so we began photographing and taking our time on the trees around the complex. Then we found the entrance to the temple garden (¥600 per person). Another long set of stairs straight up brought us to the trees we had photographing from below. A small pagoda sits at the top of the stairs and there are stunning maples along the side of the stairs and behind the pagoda - another long wait for a photograph without people. Daikozenji is better known for azaleas than autumn colors and the round azalea bushes must be spectacular in season. The autumn colors are pretty spectacular too, but there seem to be more green azalea bushes than red momiji. Maps of the garden with “You Are Here” signs are located all over. The garden at first seemed intimidatingly complex, but in fact it revealed itself to be not overlarge, with bits and pieces of paths which are sometimes only a few dozen paces long. We took one path up and another down. Along the paths are a few rest stops and some small out buildings, including one with an interesting light display and another with photographs of Buddhist statues. There is a sweet little pond with a torii in it framing a tiny shrine on the other bank. Several small waterfalls add to the scenery. Visitor tips: Access by train from JR Hakata Station to JR Kiyama Station, about 23 minutes. A special bus then connects Kiyama Station to Daikozenji, about 10 minutes. Be sure to get a schedule of the times for the return train. The bus is in service only during the full bloom season of azaleas (late April-early May) and during the blooming of maple leaves (November 18-27). When the bus drops you off, take a photo of the posted schedule for the return trip to the station: in 2019 it was a simple five-of-the-hour and twenty-five-after-the-hour. If you get hungry there is a smallish restaurant selling very good udon. It is located in an out building in the garden near one of the ponds. In front of the restaurant is a long table where they sell matcha and mochi. Restrooms are next to the restaurant.
4. Takeo no Okusu
5. Kunenan
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States
When you are in Fukuoka/Hakata in autumn, be sure to visit the villa at Kunanen Garden if the timing is right. The garden and villa are open only 9 days in the autumn so you have to check online to be sure it is open if you are planning a visit. Right next to it is Niiyama Shrine and you can visit both at the same time. Plan to arrive early in the day. Take a train to JR Kanzaki Station, then a bus to the garden. Be sure to take a photo or get a copy of the return bus schedule. When you get off the bus, follow the crowd of visitors who get with you and who know where to go. The villa and garden offer a limited number of tickets each day. Purchase your numbered ticket at the stall in the parking lot near the bus stop. The stall is surrounded by stalls selling local goods. Take a photo of your ticket as a souvenir. After you get your ticket, begin the walk uphill past more food stalls to the villa. These stalls are useful to grab a bite to eat on your way out of the complex. The villa is reminiscent of a large traditional Japanese teahouse. The route though the garden takes you around the house to the back garden and out. Since you must follow the route and there is no no option to return once you leave, you need to take everything very slowly and be sure to get all the photos you want. We spent a fair amount of time walking the route, waiting for the crowds to break up - a long wait - to be able to get the photos we wanted. We were able to go back a little ways over the path we had already walked, as long as we didn’t walk out the exit gateway. The garden is not that large so it doesn’t take that much time to visit even going slowly. Once you leave, head up the hill to Niiyama Shrine (Niiyamajinja). The garden and villa, and shrine make for an excellent day trip from Hakata on peak foliage days.
6. Karatsu Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 475 reviews
Reviewed By dimitrios110 - Chatham, United States
A visit to this elegant and tranquil castle is a great way to connect to the ancient history of Japan.
