Shiota (塩田町)
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Tara (太良町)
Tara is the southernmost town in the prefecture, where the hearty souls are ever vigilant against attack from nearby Nagasaki-ken. Mikan farming and crab fishing seem to be the dominant local industries. But come winter and it’s all about yakikaki (焼き牡蠣). You have seen takoyaki stands all over Japan, but in Tara it is yakikaki (oysters!). Look for stands and lots of cars lining Route 207 during the winter, and there you will find lots of little stands that will sell you millions of oysters for about 500 yen. Tara’s most prominent feature is Tara-dake, one of the highest peaks in Saga-ken. Good hiking abounds and camping facilities are available.
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Ureshino (嬉野町)
Located on the border between Nagasaki Ken and Saga Ken, Ureshino is an exciting little onsen town with a little more on offer than just onsens.
Ureshino has forged its reputation from the three things that are institutional in every Japanese household: onsens, green tea and pottery. It has a small population of around 18,000, which sharply rises on weekends when coach loads of tourists pull in. Ureshino also has numerous izakayas and other eateries, as well as several bars and snacks to entertain these guests. Other attractions include Todoroki Falls (a 10m tall waterfall branching out into a stream of rapids), Hizen Yume Kaidou (a samurai-themed amusement park, complete with ninja shows), a sex museum, and Miyuki Park (acres of grass and recreational spots).
We are attracted to Ureshino every summer because across the Nagasaki-ken border and into neighboring Higashisonogi Town (東彼杵町) you will find the famed Ryutosen waterhole. Also, the future looks bright for Ureshino. This little mountain resort town is rumored to have a bullet train stop here within the next ten years. If the rumors are true, that should increase the tourism to this already popular onsen town. If you are interested in getting a bite to eat or nightcap, be sure to check out one of these recommended places.
Restaurants
- Ichi Ryu. A Korean run izakaya that serves up classic Korean dishes like calbi (barbequed pork ribs) and bibinba (a spicy rice dish full of vegetables and meat), as well as traditional Japanese foods like sashimi and yakitori. Ichi Ryu is probably the most popular eatery in town, and while likely to be busy most days of the week, they’ll find a way of squeezing you in. Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
- Sen Ryo. Tucked away in Happy Town (a small alley of snacks and restaurants), Sen Ryo is a small izakaya that prides itself on aesthetical and quality values. Enormous care goes into the food, which is a modern twist on classic Japanese dishes. There is a wide selection of sake from around the country, and the master is particularly talented at cooking spaghetti, which has found its way into the menu! Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
- Yume Gushi. Slightly cheaper than most other izakaya’s in town, but nonetheless a top-notch place. They offer up the usual yakitori selection, as well as onsen tofu – tofu boiled in onsen water. They also have a selection of Hiroshima-style dishes, including okonomiyaki and oysters. Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
- Yo Ko Cho. People go to Yo Ko Cho for their onsen tofu. They have the widest selection in town as well as other traditional dishes like tempura and okonomiyaki. It gets very packed on weekends, when tourists are in town, so you may have to wait to be seated. Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
- Cha Mon. An upmarket family restaurant that serves a nice selection of Japanese and western meals. Cha Mon also serve Saga gyu teishoku (a set meal with Saga beef) at reasonable prices. It’s a good place to have a decent meal in a nice, quiet atmosphere. Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
Bars
- Chirori. Definitely the swankiest bar in town, with very friendly staff and a decent drink/food menu. If there’s a large group of you, we recommend sitting in the back area, which has funky lighting and pebbled flooring. Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
- Idea (pronounced Ideya). This is the place to go if you want to drink a cocktail. The owner, Hayashi, is somewhat of a genius when it comes to making cocktails, and you’ll be impressed at the extensiveness of the menu. Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
Cafés
- Ku Café. Ku is a nice café with a warm atmosphere and very friendly staff. Although the menu is in Japanese, they speak a little English and will no doubt make you feel welcome. They have a decent menu whose food is a blend of Japanese and western delights. Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
- Moka. A very lively café and famed for its strawberry parfaits. They serve very reasonable priced set meals and have a wide range of coffees and desserts. It’s also known for its quality music selection. Menu: kanji, hiragana, katakana.
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Taku (多久市)
Some people (locals included) giggle at the suggestion that Taku is a city. We’re keeping a straight face, but Taku’s scant 25,000 people hardly constitute a metropolis. Taku still feels like a big small town rather than a small city, and much of Taku’s charm derives from this fact. Taku has two attractions that you may be interested in checking out: one of modern times and one of another age. The aforementioned modern attraction is the Yuraku Water Enjoyment Place where there is a wave pool amongst other water related activities. The other attraction is the Confucian Seibyo Shrine.
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