Rugby World UK – August 2019

Saga is one of Japan’s more unknown
destinations – but that doesn’t make the
Kyushu destination any less attractive...

C

The Culture Vulture
Ever wanted to be a ninja?
Well, the Ninja Village Hizen
Yumekaido gives you the chance. Not
only can you rent ninja costumes but
you can try out different skills in this
park themed around ninjas. Plus, there
is a ninja show performed every day.
You might want a drink after that! The
Saga Prefecture is Japan’s leading rice
producer and thus its sake has a distinct
flavour. There are 30 sake breweries in
the area, so give it a try at local bars.
The region is also known for its ceramics,
notably Imari-yaki and Arita-yaki pottery,
which have 400 years of history in Japan.
There are numerous places around the
prefecture when you can see pottery
exhibits and designs, while there are
also many china-painting workshops
available if you’re feeling creative.

F

The Foodie
Saga is
famous
for Takezaki crab,
a blue crab
that grows to

Take a trip off the beaten track to discover a prefecture full of nature

Saga

more than 25cm wide, as well as Saga

beef, high-quality marbled meat.

Somen noodles are another local

speciality and are served hot or cold.

A

The Adventurer

Go for a hike around Kyoseki

Park – a mysterious place full

of amazing huge rocks – and try stand-up

paddleboarding (SUP) in the calm waves

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and beautiful sea around Karatsu. Or

if you’re experienced at SUP, head to

Nanatsugama for an adventure tour.

For a unique experience, head to the

tidal flats of the Ariake Sea where you can

get stuck into the mud when the tide is

out – showers are available but you’ll

want to take a change of clothes!

P

The Party Animal

Enjoy restaurants, bars, clubs

and karaoke in the Aikei area

of Saga – you’ll find them less expensive

than in many of Japan’s big cities.

For more travel information...

saga-tripgenius.com

@saga_trip_genius on Instagram

Get there

You can reach Saga

by express train in just 45

minutes from Fukuoka’s Hakata

station. Kyushu-Saga International

Airport is 35 minutes from Saga

by bus. There are also regular

buses from Fukuoka to the

Saga Prefecture

Mud bath

There’s fun to be

had on the tidal flats

Tasty treat

Somen noodles