this mountaintop temple in Kiyama was built in the early 800s
giving you the chance to view some of Japan’s oldest architecture including its reed thatched roof
which are the leading ladies come mid-November
(It’s also become famous for its 50,000-odd azalea bushes
which are the main attraction during spring and have led to the temple being nicknamed Tsutsuji Tera
or Azalea Temple.) You’ll need to brave a long
but the feeling of being inside a picturesque oil painting is worth the effort
3628 Oaza Sonobe, Kiyama-Machi, Miyaki-Gun, Saga. ¥500 entrance fee in autumn (November and December). www.daikouzenji.com
There are several reasons to visit this former residence of Saga businessman Yataro Itami
but the mansion and its expansive gardens are probably most well-known for being one of the prefecture’s most exclusive momijigari (autumn leaves viewing) spots
it’s only open for nine days at the peak of the fall foliage beauty: from November 15 to 23
(It also opens for a limited time during spring.) The name Kunenan means “Nine-year House,” and refers to the fact that its garden took nine years to build
with construction beginning in 1900 and supervised by a Zen Buddhist priest
The architecture follows the traditional tea house style
while the garden shows off the art of shakkei – a style of gardening that “borrows” scenery from nearby landmarks and incorporates them into the design
Stroll amongst the azaleas and maple trees for an elegant autumn afternoon
Of course Japan in its entirety is famed for having the freshest
but if you want to experience local cuisine at its source
it’s best to visit a port town and try their speciality
which is famed for its port area called Yobuko
Here you should order ikizukuri – live squid that’s so live it squirms on your plate
Early risers will enjoy visiting the Yobuko Morning Market
where you can opt for dried squid should the live version be a tad too much for you
and is considered one of the three biggest fish markets of Japan
Known for being one of the best wagyu beef brands in Japan
Saga Beef benefits from the prefecture’s mild climate
The Japanese Black cows are raised using expert breeding techniques
ensuring they do not experience any major stress
To taste this deliciously sweet and rich marbled beef
a renowned restaurant in central Saga that’s run by Japan Agricultural Cooperatives
We stopped by for lunch and ordered thin strips of Saga gyu
which we cooked ourselves on the iron plate grill in the center of the table
Undoubtedly one of the most succulent beef dishes we’ve ever tasted
or take a seat at the teppanyaki counter to watch the chef at work
3-9-16 Otakara, Saga-shi, Saga. kira.saga-ja.jp/en
This autumn matsuri is held at Karatsu Shrine and is one of Kyushu’s major festivals
dating back about 400 years and attracting 500,000 visitors
What makes this festival particularly interesting is its unique hikiyama (giant floats)
The first in the series of 14 was made by a woodcarving craftsman in 1819 and is called Akajishi (Red Lion float)
The other 13 were all produced over the next 60 years
and feature awe-inspiring designs – probably the most unusual one is The Red Snapper
which literally looks like a fish and is meant to represent the fish markets from the old days
If you can’t make it in time to see the floats being hauled along the street
you can still see them on display at the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall (6-33 Nishi-Jonai
Held annually at the beginning of November
this international hot air balloon competition is the largest of its kind in Asia
the event sees around 100 colorful balloons gathering and taking flight before landing several kilometers away from the fiesta grounds
which are held twice a day; the official balloons
which fly just before the main competition begins; and the Fantasia balloons
which are shaped to look like animals and cartoon characters
and are inflated every morning although they don’t actually lift off the ground
November 1-5, 2017. www.sibf.jp/en