Spots List

Former Oshima Residence

The Former Oshima Residence was the estate of Kotaro Oshima, a businessman who greatly contributed to Karatsu's modernization, serving as an extremely prestigious historical building gathering the peak of Meiji period prominent Japanese architectural technology and traditional Japanese aesthetics. The beauty of the sophisticated Japanese-style rooms and the wood-structured architecture with delicate designs throughout are masterfully crafted, letting you feel the high-end, quality lifestyle of the time close at hand just by stepping inside. The view of the beautiful Japanese garden built to harmonize with the building is also brilliant, and the time spent slowly appreciating the beautiful architectural beauty...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Karatsu Shrine

Karatsu Shrine, located in the center of Karatsu City, is the general tutelary shrine of Karatsu boasting an ancient history since the Nara period, filled with a prestigious and sacred atmosphere. It serves as the base for the grand traditional festival "Karatsu Kunchi," which is held every autumn and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, filling the precinct with the festival's excitement and people's deep prayer energy. The solemn shrine pavilions and the beautiful white torii gate show a dignified appearance, and stepping inside completely clears away urban bustle, letting you feel your mind beautifully washed. In this place,...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Botan to Midori no Oka

Botan to Midori no Oka (Peony and Green Hill) is a beautiful natural park spreading over rich green hills in Hizen Town, Karatsu City. Especially in spring, thousands of colorful flowers like large peonies, Chinese peonies, and hydrangeas bloom all at once, filling the park with gorgeous aromas and vibrant colors, deeply healing the visiting traveler's heart from the deep core. Walking along the walking trails where peaceful air flows at your own pace, the power of fresh trees fills your body, and you can feel daily stress gently melting away. Wrapped in the beautiful natural healing power, enjoy a...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Nature
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Suwa Shrine

Suwa Shrine is a prestigious ancient shrine standing quietly within the rich nature of Karatsu City, filled with deep silence and a solemn atmosphere. Venerable giant trees solemnly soar within the precinct, and stepping inside completely shuts out the digital busyness and noises of modern city life, letting you feel a divine atmospheric flow that beautifully cleanses the heart. Protected carefully by local people since ancient times, this place is an excellent spot to experience with your skin the traditional Shinto faith and the spirit of careful living in harmony with nature in Japan. In the silence where only the...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Azame-no-se

Azame-no-se is a waterfront nature park full of natural healing, where a rich water environment and Japan's rustic里山 (Satoyama) scenery comfortably fuse along the Kyuragi River flowing through Karatsu City. It is a place that local people have carefully maintained to protect the natural ecosystem, allowing you to experience the flow of pure water, beautiful seasonal plants, and the movement of living creatures entirely with all five senses. Away from busy city schedules, the time spent leisurely strolling along the lush riverfront while listening to the pleasant murmur of water gently loosens mind-body tension, bringing supreme healing. Wrapped in Earth's...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Nature
• Spring

Oura Terraced Rice Fields Observatory

Oura Terraced Rice Fields Observatory, located in Hizen Town, Karatsu City, is a superb view spot where the traditional Japanese landscape is condensed, offering an overlook of beautiful rice fields overlapping in multiple stairs against the backdrop of the blue ocean of Imari Bay. Especially during the water-filling season in spring, the sunset reflects on the water surface to make the entire terraced fields glow in golden colors, and its harmony with small islands floating in the sea fascinates travelers from all over the world with its breathtaking, mysterious beauty. You can feel with your skin the wisdom of people...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Nature
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn

Nanatsugama

Nanatsugama is a magnificent sculptural beauty of great nature designated as a national natural monument, featuring seven mysterious caves lined up along beautiful cliffs with columnar jointing that have been carved away over a long time by the rough waves of the Genkai Sea. Boarding a sightseeing boat and looking up closely at its dynamic, overwhelming modeling beauty from the sea directly transmits the life force of great nature and the weight of Earth's history, deeply moving visiting travelers. Above the cliffs, well-maintained walking trails and observatories spread out, offering the best location to enjoy leisurely walking while looking at...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Nature
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Hado Cape

Hado Cape is a beautiful cape protruding into the Genkai Sea at the northwestern end of Karatsu City, serving as an absolute premier nature resort that comfortably harmonizes the emerald green beautiful ocean and the wide sky, fascinating travelers from all over the world. From the white "Undersea Observation Tower" standing on the coastline, you can closely observe the underwater temperature and the lovely figures of wild fish while wearing clothing, stimulating your intellectual curiosity. Especially the sunset viewed from here is selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Sunsets," and the orange world where the horizon and sky dissolve...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Nature
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Kagami-yama Observatory

Kagami-yama Observatory, located at the summit of Mt. Kagami soaring in Karatsu City, is a superb view spot offering one of Saga Prefecture's premier, overwhelming grand panoramas that overlooks the magnificent "Nijino Matsubara" and the beautiful open ocean of Karatsu Bay spreading below. The scenic elements of the blue sea, the endless green pine forest, and the distant islands seen from the observatory are views of breathtaking beauty, deeply shaking the visiting traveler's heart. There is a well-maintained road to the summit, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable stroll while feeling the rich nature. Completely cut off from urban noises,...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Nature
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Nijino Matsubara

Nijino Matsubara is a magnificent, grand scenic spot counted as one of Japan's top three pine groves, stretching for about 4.5 kilometers like a rainbow arc along the beautiful coastline of Karatsu Bay. Said to have begun in the Edo period when the first lord of the Karatsu Domain planted it as a windbreak forest, about one million splendid black pine trees still weave a perfect contrast with the blue ocean and white sandy beach today. Stepping inside the pine grove wraps you in the pleasant murmur of the sea and the refreshing scent of pine, and simply strolling through...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Nature
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Yoshinogari Historical Park

Yoshinogari Historical Park houses one of Japan's largest ring-ditched settlement ruins from the Yayoi period, serving as a sacred historical wonderland where you can experience the origin of ancient Japanese state formation. Reconstructed on a vast site, structures like pit dwellings, high-floor storehouses, and massive burial mounds of ancient kings vividly revive the daily life and spiritual world of ancient Japanese people from thousands of years ago in the modern era. Standing on this grand land and looking at the endless sky, a deep emotion and weight of history beyond words fill the heart, richly satisfying your intellectual curiosity. It...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Saga Castle

Saga Castle was the prestigious residential castle of the Nabeshima clan, the lords of the Saga Domain during the Edo period. Today, its divine majesty is conveyed to the modern era through the castle tower base, sturdy stone walls, and the "Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum," which is one of Japan's largest reconstructed wooden structures. Stepping inside the facility, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the grand Japanese-style architecture with beautiful tatami mats spreading out, allowing you to learn in detail about Saga's science technology and predecessors' high aspirations that led Japan during the late Edo period and...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Handomigashita Kiln Site

Handomigashita Kiln Site is a very important climbing kiln ruin representing old Karatsu ware, sleeping in a place embraced by the rich great nature near the boundary of Karatsu City and Imari City. The massive kiln structures that supported the development of Karatsu ware, featuring a powerful yet rustic taste at that time, have been preserved, conveying to the present day the passion for craftsmanship where artisans breathed soul into fire and earth. Strolling slowly through the ruins wrapped in the deep forest's silence while thinking back to historical stories stimulates intellectual curiosity while bringing deep inner peace away from...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Karausu Huts in Okawachiyama

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Kakiemon Kiln Site

Kakiemon Kiln Site is a prestigious historical sanctuary designated as an important intangible cultural property, which gave birth to the "Kakiemon style," the pinnacle of porcelain styles that Japan proudly presents to the world. The beauty of seasonal nature drawn with vivid colors by masterfully utilizing blanks on a beautiful milky-white body called Nigoshide holds a history of enchanting even European royalty and nobility. Visiting this place where artisans' high pride and traditional skills still breathe allows you to feel the ultimate in sophisticated Japanese traditional aesthetics with your skin. Surrendering yourself to the calm Japanese emotions drifted by historic...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Yamabeta Kiln Site

Yamabeta Kiln Site is a highly important historical stage located in the rich mountains of Arita Town, recounting the diverse development and technological evolution of early Arita ware. Here, the footprints of the earliest attempts at vibrant color-painted porcelain, as well as white porcelain, have been discovered, conveying to the modern era the relentless challenges of artisans before Japanese traditional craft aesthetics took flight to the world. Strolling slowly through the ruins wrapped in fresh greenery and silence makes you step away from urban speed, perfect for quietly immersing yourself in long historical romance and the deep spirituality of craftsmanship...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Harawake Koyo Ruins

Harawake Koyo Ruins are a precious historical heritage quietly sleeping within the beautiful great nature of Arita Town, conveying the development of traditional pottery culture in the early Edo period. Here, rustic yet beautiful vessels that colored the daily life of the time were fired, and the excavated pottery shards vividly evoke the historical stories of how artisans polished their skills and pursued new beauty. In this silent space completely cut off from the digital busyness and noises of modern city life, spending time slowly tracing the deep historical footprints gently loosens mind-body tension, bringing inner peace and new inspiration...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Tengudani Kiln Site

Tengudani Kiln Site is a historic ruin of extremely high value located in the rich mountains of Arita Town, where Yi Sam-pyeong, revered as the father of Japanese porcelain, is said to have first begun full-scale porcelain firing. The remains of the climbing kiln built by utilizing the slope vividly convey the prominent pottery technology of the time and the passion for craftsmanship that brought a revolution throughout Japan to the modern era. Standing in this sacred space where the silence of the deep forest spreads, the breath of the artisans who burned fire here centuries ago seems audible, deeply...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Hyakken Kiln Site

Hyakken Kiln Site is an exceptionally precious historical ruin from the earliest period between the late Muromachi period and the early Edo period, sleeping within the rich nature of Arita Town. Here, numerous valuable ceramic shards of early Imari and old Karatsu from before Arita ware was fully established have been excavated, vividly conveying the transitions of Japanese ceramic history to the modern era. Strolling slowly around the ruins wrapped in the deep forest's silence makes you completely forget busy city schedules, providing an intellectual and luxurious adult travel moment to immerse yourself deeply in the passion and stories of...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Izumiyama Quarry

Izumiyama Quarry is a deeply sacred place that can be called the absolute starting point of all Arita ware, where white porcelain stone, the raw material for fine porcelain, was discovered in the early 17th century by the Korean potter Yi Sam-pyeong. The unique, deeply cut cliffs created by continuously carving away the mountain for about 400 years vividly tell the history of great nature's modeling beauty and humans' amazing passion for craftsmanship at the same time, overwhelming visiting travelers. Stepping away from urban noise, immersing yourself in this quiet space that makes you feel the beginning of Arita's history...

• Saga
• Sightseeing
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

OND HOTEL

OND HOTEL is a sophisticated sauna and resort hotel designed for modern travelers, where Takeo's rich great nature and prestigious Takeo Onsen culture fuse in the best shape. Surrounded by the beautiful green of the forest, the stylish, high-end space features authentic wood-fired saunas to deeply sharpen your five senses and hot spring facilities luxuriously drawing the "waters for beautiful skin," providing an ultimate wellness experience. Spending time to deeply relax mind and body while listening to nature's sounds completely frees you from busy city schedules, beautifully filling your inner energy. Taste the latest luxurious healing in the traditional land...

• Saga
• Accommodation
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Takeo Onsen

Takeo Onsen is a prestigious and highly renowned hot spring destination representing Saga with a history of about 1,300 years, loved deeply by numerous master samurai and artists since ancient times. The hot spring town's symbol, the vivid vermilion-painted important cultural property "Romon Gate" built in the Taisho era, welcomes travelers with its brilliant appearance, and the moment you step inside, you are invited into a world of historical romance. The waters here feature a weak alkaline, highly gentle quality that fits smoothly on your skin, erasing daily stress and bodily fatigue from the deep core. Tour historic retro public...

• Saga
• Accommodation
• Activities
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Tara Takezaki Onsen Tara Kanko Hotel

Tara Takezaki Onsen Tara Kanko Hotel is a wonderful resort ryokan inn overlooking the majestic Ariake Sea from an absolute prime location, fascinating travelers with supreme hot springs and fresh marine bounty. The time spent gazing at the beautiful view of the Ariake Sea, boasting Japan's largest tidal range, from the open-air bath gently melts away travel fatigue from the deep core, letting you feel the sea's mystery as it changes its expressions dynamically over time. Prestige Japanese traditional courses luxuriously utilizing the sea's rich blessings, such as the famous "Takezaki Crab," feature an extraordinary flavor. Intersecting with great nature's...

• Saga
• Accommodation
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Shiroishi Town

Shiroishi Town is a highly peaceful and beautiful town where rich agriculture and delicious food culture breathe, nurtured by the vast Ariake Sea and the fertile Saga Plain. The beautiful onion fields and lotus root paddies spreading endlessly convey the traditional beauty of Japanese careful living in harmony with nature's blessings to the modern era. Old shrines and temples telling the town's history are also dotted around, making it the best location to enjoy a leisurely stroll while feeling the calm breeze away from urban noise. Fully enjoy fresh, delicious seasonal ingredients raised by this rich earth and sea to...

• Saga
• Area Info
• Sightseeing
• Nature
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter