Secrets of Saga Autumn Tour 2027

Arrive into either Narita or Haneda International Airport. After clearing Customs, you'll be met by an assistant who will escort you to your private transfer to the hotel. Your Tour Leader, Juliane Suzuki, will meet you upon arrival at the hotel.

We take a morning flight from Haneda to Fukuoka. In Fukuoka, we meet our local Guide, who will be with us for the duration of the tour.

We travel via chartered bus to Karatsu for lunch.

The day will depend on the Festival but we will enjoy the procession at various places and local attractions.

Once we check into our hotel, you’re free to enjoy the facilities including a roof top onsen pool.

You may wish to have an early morning stroll on the beautiful beach in front of the hotel or a walk along the boardwalk Karatsu Castle as the backdrop.

Today is all about this fabulous Karatsu Kunchi Festival and enjoying the floats as they parade through the streets.

A unique opportunity that happens once a year over 3 days. We will also see some Karatsu pottery as well but the schedule will depend on the float schedule.

We leave Karatsu this morning for Takeo Onsen but not before visiting one of the most impressive garden views in Japan.

The unique viewing room is something you’ll remember forever. Upon arrival in Takeo onsen, we see another unique garden and have a Matcha tea-making experience.

After lunch, we see how tea is used for tie-dying and finally local dancers dress in traditional kimono and perform for us.

Arita is the birthplace of Japanese porcelain dating back to the 1600s.

Commonly known as Arita-yaki, we visit the important sites in this charming town and are lucky enough to have a private tour of an Atelier to watch the craftsmen at work. There is ample opportunity to purchase some porcelain.

Yutoku Inari Shrine is one of Japan’s "Three Great Inari Shrines."

Built in 1687, this sprawling complex is famous for its vibrant, lacquer-red structures perched on the mountainside. We will witness the sacred Miko Mai performed by the Shrine Maidens. We then have a tour of a local award winning Sake Brewery.

On our way to lunch, we stop at the floating torii gates of Tara in the Ariake Sea, which are more than 300 years old. After a very special lunch by the seaside, we make our way back to Saga for a tour of a 5th generation soy sauce factory that makes its own koji - something quite rare these days.

The Oncri is one of the oldest hot springs in Saga.

ONCRI provides refined ambiance, incorporating elements of traditional Japanese Ryokan style and modern architecture. We try our hand at making Japanese soba noodles today and after lunch visit an old traditional residence and see how Saga Nishiki, a hand woven fabric is made. This brocade is considered a rich and luxurious fabric and now recognized as a Japanese work of art.

There will be time to relax and enjoy the hot springs this afternoon.

This morning we visit a traditional paper making factory and try our hand at making our own washi paper.

Afterwards, we visit an ancient village before we make our way to Fukuoka, where we will have the option of some free time to explore the local area or join our guide to see the local spots.

This evening we venture to the Yatai food street to experience some traditional local foods.

This morning you have the morning to yourselves to explore on your own before meeting back at the hotel for lunch.

After lunch we make our way to the Sumo Arena for and afternoon of the Sumo Tournament!! We have special seats and a ‘bento’ that comes with all sorts of food and other goodies!

Juliane will be on hand to assist those extending their tour to other areas of Japan or for those making their way to the airport.