Saga (prefecture)

[[file:Arabic MixedGrill_banner.jpg|1280px|Halal Travel to Saga}} Japan saga map small - Saga Prefecture

Saga Prefecture (佐賀県) is a small and rustic prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is famous for pottery and pre-historic village ruins.

Cities

Ten cities are located in Saga Prefecture:

File:浜野浦棚田 - panoramio - mahlervv - Sunset over Genkai's Hamanoura Rice Terraces

Takeoonsen rohmon - Takeo Onsen

Yoshinogari Ruins - 吉野ケ里（よしのがり）遺跡 - Yoshinogari is in the northern part of Saga Prefecture. It is about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) north of Saga City and about 30 kilometers (19 mi) south of Fukuoka - You can look at from a train going to Hakata from Nagasaki. Remains of a ringed-dugout settlement, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The Yoshinogari Remains lie on the spacious hilly area over Kanzaki City and Yoshinogari-cho of Kanzaki-gun in the northeastern part of Saga. Remains of a ringed-dugout settlement presumably dating back to the 3rd century BCE were unearthed there, and excavation is still underway at the site. They are among the largest archaeological remains in Japan.

Karatsu Kunchi - 唐津くんち - Held at the beginning of November in Karatsu City. This is Saga's most famous festival and attracts around 1 million visitors every year.

Imari Ton-Ten-Ton Festival - 伊万里トンテントン祭り - In Imari City - Held for 3 days every year near the end of October. The festival is one of the three great fighting festivals in Japan. In the festival a crashing battle takes place between the two huge portable shrines and the Ara-mikoshi and the Danjiri. The name "Ton-Ten-Ton" represents the sound of drums used in the festival.

Kashima Gatalympics - Held every May in a small town called Hama, near Kashima City. This event involves playing a variety of sports in the mudflats of the Ariake Sea.

Saga International Balloon Fiesta - Held at the beginning of November every year just outside of Saga City along the Kase River. This is a very popular event and attracts competitors from all over the world.