Saga, Prefecture capital in Kyushu, Japan
Saga is a prefectural capital in northwestern Kyushu, Japan, nestled between mountains to the north and a sea inlet to the south. The city spreads across flat land crossed by rice paddies and small rivers.
A noble clan built a castle here in 1608 and made the place their administrative seat. The castle served as the center of regional government for over 250 years and shaped how the settlement grew.
The prefectural museum displays pottery, textiles and everyday objects from rural areas, housed in the main building and several side rooms. Visitors can walk through the collections and see how craftspeople once worked and what tools they used.
An airport in the south connects the city to Tokyo and several mainland destinations. Trains run from the station in the city center to Fukuoka and other major places in Kyushu.
A multi-day balloon event takes place along the riverbank each November, drawing teams from different countries. After dark, hot air balloons are lit up on the ground and flare in unison, bathing the waterfront in shifting light.
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