Saga

Shachinomon Gate of Saga Castle 3 - Saga Castle

Saga (佐賀) is the eponymous capital of Saga (prefecture)|Saga prefecture on the Japanese island of Kyushu. Most travelers seem to pass by on their way to Nagasaki, but the city does have its share of worthwhile sites if you take the time to stop by and explore.

Saga Halal Travel Guide

Travel to Saga

33.23638|130.33626

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Saga

Saga Airport is small but has daily Flights to Tokyo (Haneda) and Osaka (Itami). From the city it takes about 30mins by bus and costs 600 Yen.

Buses also connect Fukuoka Airport to Saga (70 minutes, ¥2000). This option to travel via Fukuoka is much more practical for most travelers, because there are a wider variety of connections.

By Rail

Saga is a stop on the JR Nagasaki Line.

Limited express train services run from Hakata station in Fukuoka twice each hour (usually :02 and :22 past the hour), including the Kamome and Midori train services. Trains run directly to Saga in about 40 minutes at a cost of ¥2300. It is best to get the Return Ticket, as it costs the same amount but you save yourself the trouble of having to purchase another ticket to get back to Fukuoka. Even if it is unused, it doesn't hurt to get it as it doesn't cost you any extra.

Local trains from Hakata cost only ¥1080, but you will have to switch trains in Tosu and the travel duration will be about 75 minutes or more, depending on the timing of the connection.

From Nagasaki to Saga it takes 75-90 minutes on the limited express (¥3740), or about 2 1/2 hours on the local service (¥2070). From Sasebo it is about 65 minutes by limited express (¥2470) or about 100 minutes by local (¥1250).

By car

From Fukuoka, simply drive south on Route 263 to reach Saga. From the east and west and the Nagasaki Expressway travels directly through the city. Take the exit for Route 263 South to go towards Saga Station and the downtown.

Travel on a Bus in Saga

'''Nishitetsu Bus''' operates buses from Nishitetsu Tenjin Bus Terminal (Tenjin Station) in Fukuoka. If you're traveling from Nagoya or Osaka and there are highway buses to Nishitetsu Tenjin Bus Terminal and from there you can transfer to one of the Saga-bound buses.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Saga

Get Around

Visitors often come just to visit Saga Castle on their way to other places. For that, you can just walk. There are plenty of other minor sites in the same area. A lot of Saga's sites, such as Furuyu Onsen, its World Heritage Naval port, etc. are best reached by bus or car. All bus routes in the city connect at the bus center, which is adjacent to Saga Station.

What to see in Saga

Saga Castle - 佐賀城 | 33.245744, 130.302153 10 minutes bus ride from Saga Station Saga_Castle_historical_museum.JPG - Entry by donation, castle grounds free The original Saga Castle was built in 1608 by the Lord Nabeshima Naoshige. The castle suffered repeated fires over the centuries before eventually being torn down. One of the gates survived all of this and has been listed as an Important Cultural Property. In 2004 the castle's honmaru palace was rebuilt. It is now the Saga Castle Museum of History. It offers excellent free English audio guides.
Kono Park - 神野公園, kōno-kōen - 33.2662117, 130.2809646 - Kakurintei in Kono Park 2.JPG - Kono Park is home to a lovely Japanese garden complete with teahouse called the Kakurin-tei sitting along the central pond. The southern end contains a small amusement park for children.

Saga City History and Folk Museum - 佐賀市歴史民俗館, sagashi rekishi minzokukan | 33.2541057, 130.3065743 - SagashiHistoryAndFolkloreMuseumOldKogaBank A unique museum that features many preserved historic buildings. Visitors can enter the buildings and learn about the families that lived there and in turn learn more about the history of Saga City.

Saga Balloon Museum - 佐賀バルーンミュージアム | 33.2524, 130.2982 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 5PM 500 yen A new museum all about hot air balloons and competitions. It has interactive exhibits and a small theatre.

Hizen Provincial Capital Ruins - 肥前国庁跡, hizen kokuchō ato - 33.316944, 130.274

| image - Hizen-kokucho-ato minami-mon-1

Chikugo River Lift Bridge - 筑後川昇開橋, Chikugo-gawa shōkaikyō - 33.215, 130.361944

| image - Chikugo_River_Lift_Bridge_UP_20110914 - . This bridge was part of a train line that is no longer used. Visitors can now walk across it from Saga Prefecture to Fukuoka Prefecture and back. If you arrive at the right time, you may see the middle of the bridge lifted.

Mietsu Naval Dock - 三重津海軍所跡 | 446-1, Hayatsue, Oaza, Kawasoe-machi 33.207733, 130.340116 ☎ +81 95-234-9455 - During the days when Nagasaki served as the only port open to the outside world and the Saga Domain owned and was in charge of protecting the port. With that and they were the only domain that received information from and about other countries, including discoveries and advancements in science and technology. The naval docks were established in Saga to begin producing Asian-style ships and forming Japan's first Asian-style navy. The dock here was an important part of Japan's modernization on the shipbuilding and naval front and is inscribed as one of the World Heritage Sites that make up the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution.

Higatayoka Park - 干潟よか公園 | 33.1738, 130.2703 A park on the coast of the Ariake Sea where visitors can see native flora and fauna up close and through provided binoculars. Most famous are the mudskippers that hop around on the mudflats, and the shichimensō, a plant that turns deep red in November. It's also a popular spot for birders, as many shorebirds stop here during migration. The park also has a charming Saga-themed playground
Xu Fu Chojukan Museum and Herb Garden - 徐福長寿館 | 33.329786, 130.308464 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 5PM ¥700 - Xu Fu came to Japan from China during the Qin Dynasty in order to find an elixer that could make a human immortal. The leader of the Qin wanted desperately to find a way to avoid death. Xu Fu was sent on two missions but he never returned from the second mission and it is said that on that mission he landed in Japan. The museum has information about him and various legends associated with him and outside is an herb garden with over 500 different herbs.

Kyoseki Park - 巨石パーク - 33.337644, 130.262403 ☎ +81 95-264-2818 | Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 5PM Free A large park filled with gigantic boulders, each with its own name and story behind it. Many are in interesting and unique positions. It's a popular place for day-hikers. The trail around the boulders takes about an hour to complete, so it's a nice place to enjoy at your own pace.

Best things to do in Saga

La Montgorlfier Nocturne - Saga International Balloon Fiesta

Remains of the JR Saga Line - 佐賀線跡,徐福サイクルロード - 33.2438308, 130.3149265 - Take a bike ride on the converted railway. Bikes can be rented conveniently close to Saga Station. You may need a map to get your way to the entrance of the bike trail, but after that it's a quiet ride southeast under sakura trees, past the remains of old train stations, that leads you straight to Saga's arguably most famous structure and the Chikugo River Lift Bridge.

Saga International Balloon Fiesta - 佐賀インターナショナルバルーンフェスタ Saga Intānashonaru Barūn Fesuta | 33.25309, 130.24547 outside Saga City, along the Kase River; stop at the temporary Balloon Saga Station on the JR Nagasaki Main Line Saga_balloon_2007_1 - Opening Hours: every year in the beginning of november

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Saga

Mallage Saga - モラージュ佐賀 | 33.252136, 130.31879 A large shopping mall with many clothing stores and a cinema, just a short walk from Saga Station.

Halal Restaurants in Saga

Kira - 季楽 | 33.261582, 130.303255 ☎ +81 95-228-4132 | Opening Hours: Lunch 11AM Monday - 3PM, Dinner 5PM Monday - 10PM (last order 1 hour before closing) - The restaurant that is famous for serving Saga beef (saga-gyu) dishes.

Kitajima Marubolo - 33.2649, 130.2969 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 8PM - Kitajima sells marubolo and other sweets. Marubolo (丸ぼうろ) is a cookie-shaped cake, and is a Saga specialty. These cakes can be found in a number of other tourist locations, as well.

Cron Saga City-Aikei machi 33.261074, 130.300855 a 5-10 minutes walk from the station Opening Hours: 7PM Monday - late 450y a organic juice A cool little sports bar run by a guy called Yuji. Premier League and Champions League are on the big screens. English is spoken, and there is often a foreign presence there. Beer is affordable and the atmosphere is good.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Saga

Saga - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Saga, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Saga. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Saga and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Saga. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Saga. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSaga: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Saga.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Saga: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Saga, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Saga.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Saga, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Saga, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Saga and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Saga, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Saga, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Saga without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Saga is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Saga.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Saga is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Saga, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Saga Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

New Otani Saga - ホテルニューオータニ佐賀 | 33.249592, 130.295859 ☎ +81 95-223-1111 - Saga's branch of the upscale Otani Hotel chain.

Hotel Grande Hagakure - ホテル　グランデ　はがくれ | 33.260566, 130.295866 Check-in: 3PM / Check-out: 10AM Rooms from ¥9000
Saga City Hotel - サガシティホテル | 33.262113, 130.297197 ☎ +81 95-240-0100 - Singles from ¥6400

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News & References Saga

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