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The smallest prefecture in Kyushu, Saga Prefecture (佐賀県, Saga-ken) is the perfect getaway from the more-populated nearby areas of Fukuoka and Nagasaki.

Travel through time at the Yoshinogari Ruins, while Karatsu Castle and Yutoku Inari Shrine, one of the three largest Inari shrines in Japan, are also places of note.

Saga is also famous for its quirky events; a popular event held in early November (often coinciding with Karatsu Kunchi, another famous festival) is the Saga International Balloon Fiesta, one of the largest hot air balloon competitions in the world. The Kashima “Gatalympics” in May and/or June involve competitions done on mudflats, resulting in pretty much everyone being covered in mud.

Around Saga

• Things to Do in Saga