What’s on Saga (August/Sept)
Nanayama Waterfall climb: August 24th
Join other Japanese and gaijin as we hike up a mountain river in Nanayama. It’s possible to walk along the bank for almost all of the climb, so it can be as easy or hard as you like it to be.
http://www.sagajet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2705
deadline: already passed (July). 1000 yen or free if you do the homestay.
Soumen Nagashi (Floating Soumen): Weekends July 19th - August 24th
About 5 km north of Kanzaki station on Route 21, in the mountains, you can try a fun way to eat: cold wheat noodles are dropped down a chute with water and you have to catch them if you want to eat them. Not too hard, but a novel sort of lunch in a pretty setting. The friendly Japanese folk who work there will be happy to chat with you if you speak a little Japanese. A great outing to take with your new fellow JETs.
http://www.sagajet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2705
deadline: none, but consider calling ahead (in Japanese) to check if there are spots. 600 yen for all-you-can eat noodles, sauce and garnish.
Isla de Salsa: August 9-10
Head out to Momochi beach in Fukuoka City for two days of dancing and salsa music by the ocean! This is one of the cheapest summer music events you’ll find in Japan. http://www.isla-de-salsa.jp/2008/home_en.html
deadline: none. 4800 yen presale, 5600 yen at the event. Possibly a bit cheaper if you go through the right channels.
Karatsu Beach Party/Welcome B: August 16th
You and your team can hop into a fancy boat and paddle your way to victory on the Kase River. http://www.sagajet.com/dragon-boating
deadline: already passed (July 31). 3000 yen. Includes lunch.
Dragonboat Races: August 31st
You and your team can hop into a fancy boat and paddle your way to victory on the Kase River. http://www.sagajet.com/dragon-boating
deadline: already passed (July 31). 3000 yen. Includes lunch.
Papermaking Tour: Sept. 6th
Take a tour of the Hizen Nao Washi workshop and learn about how traditional Japanese paper is made. bring-your-own picnic lunch. Tour includes transportation and materials for making paper. http://www.sagajet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2730
deadline: Aug 22nd. 2000 yen.