7 Parks in Saga worth your time

Historic urban park known for cherry blossoms and a shrine to local lords.

What it is

• Urban park in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture.
• Originated from Shurakuen, created in 1861-1862.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
• Named Asahigaoka Park and expanded in 1921.

What to see

• Cherry blossoms known as "Ichimoku Gosenbon".
• Matsukage Shrine, established in 1633.
• Shrine enshrines successive Kashima domain lords.
• Cherry trees planted between Otemon and Akamon gates.

When to go

• Night cherry blossoms with electric illumination since 1914.

Getting there

• About 10-minute walk from Hizen-Kashima Station.

Read more about Asahigaoka Park

Ogi Park is a historic park with 3,000 cherry trees, a garden, and ancient burial mound.

What it is

• A city park in Ogi City, Saga Prefecture.
• Also known by its former name, Sakuraoka Park.
• Designated one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
• Designated one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.

What to see

• Jirakuen garden uses Sakura-ga-oka hill as a borrowed landscape.
• Approximately 3,000 cherry trees bloom around the park.
• Okayama Shrine and Karasumori Inari Shrine are within the park.
• A 46m long keyhole-shaped ancient burial mound, Chasen-zuka Kofun.
• A 300-year-old large podocarpus tree.

Read more about Ogi Park

Sports Forest Park offers extensive sports facilities, making it a key venue for local and national events.

What it is

• An urban park in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture.
• Located on the left bank of the Matsuura River.
• Features a gymnasium, athletic field, and baseball field.
• Karatsu City Cultural Gymnasium is the central facility.

What to see

• Karatsu City Cultural Gymnasium, a multi-purpose indoor arena.
• Karatsu City Baseball Field with 2,376 seats.
• Karatsu City Athletic Field, a 400-meter certified track.

Getting there

• Nearest railway station is JR Chikuhi Line Watada Station.

Read more about Sports Forest Park

Explore Saga Castle Park, a historic site with impressive moats, ancient trees, and cherry blossoms.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Saga City.
• Centered on the ruins of Saga Castle.
• Selected for Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks.
• Selected for Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.

What to see

• Moats surrounding the park on three sides.
• Large camphor trees over 300 years old.
• Shachi-no-mon Gate and main keep area.
• A circular path around the moats.

When to go

• Cherry blossoms bloom around the moats.

Official site

sagajoupark.com

Read more about Saga Castle Park

Don-Don-Don no Mori is a modern urban green space with public facilities, built on a former factory site.

What it is

• An urban green space in the center of Saga City.
• Developed as part of a city redevelopment project.
• Named through a public competition by Saga City.
• Built on the site of a former spinning factory.

What to see

• The Saga City Library is located here.
• Avance, the Gender Equality Center, is on site.
• The Sompo Japan Saga Call Center is also present.

Read more about Don-Don-Don no Mori

This tourist ranch offers animal encounters and activities, perfect for families with children.

What it is

• A tourist ranch opened in 1988.
• Operated by Wakanaka Donguri Village.
• Raises goats, horses, hamsters, and rabbits.

What to see

• Goats, horses, hamsters, and rabbits.
• A splash pool in summer.

When to go

• Open only on weekends and holidays from March 2024.
• Splash pool is open in summer.

Official site

www.dongurimura.com

Read more about Mitsuse Le Vert Donguri Village Farm

Kōno Park is a historic urban park in Saga with a zoo and free children's amusement park.

What it is

• An urban park in Saga, Japan.
• Established in 1846 on a former villa site.
• Dedicated to Nabeshima Naomasa.

What to see

• A small zoo.
• A Japanese garden.
• A children's amusement park with 9 attractions.
• An Eto Shinpei bronze statue.

Read more about Kōno Park