20 Shrines in Saga worth your time

The highest-ranking shrine of Hizen Province, founded in 724 and known for its ancient harvest festivals and historic stone gates.

What it is

• The Ichinomiya or highest-ranking shrine of the former Hizen Province.
• Founded in 724 by Mibu no Harunari to enshrine Emperor Ojin.
• Became a branch of the famous Usa Hachiman-gu during the 930s.
• Current structures were rebuilt in 1583 by Ryuzoji Iemasa.

What to see

• A Hizen-style torii gate designated as a town cultural property.
• Historic shrine buildings dating back to the late sixteenth century.
• Site of a former castle built during the Nanboku-cho period.

When to go

• March 15 for the Kayu-sai festival to see harvest predictions.
• Autumn for the festival featuring the Gyoretsu Furyu parade.
• The year 2024 marks the 1300th anniversary of the founding.

Getting there

• Take the Nishitetsu Bus to the Chiriku Hachimangu-mae stop.

Read more about Chiriku Hachimangū

A historic shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, featuring a thousand-year-old camphor tree and traditional Hizen-style stone architecture.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to the deity Sugawara no Michizane.
• Founded in 1151 by Ushijima Norimasa and later moved to its current site.
• Built to protect the northeastern direction of Saga Castle.
• Designated by the city as an Important Urban Landscape.

What to see

• A massive camphor tree estimated to be over 1000 years old.
• A mid-19th century two-story gate and a three-bay main hall with copper roofing.
• Traditional Hizen-style stone torii gates and guardian dog statues.
• Stone lanterns that show damage from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.
• The Hagakure Taiko Preservation Society practicing on the shrine grounds.

Read more about Ushijima Tenmangū

This shrine, built in the 1600s, is worth visiting for its unique porcelain structures and annual festivals.

What it is

• Shrine established in the second half of the 1600s.
• Venerates Emperor Ōjin and Nabeshima Naoshige.
• Renamed Sueyama-Jinja in 1871, nicknamed Tozan Shrine.
• Memorial to Korean potter Kanagae Sambe'e erected in 1917.

What to see

• Porcelain torii gate built in 1888.
• Pair of porcelain guardian dogs by Imaemon kiln.
• Memorial to Kanagae Sambe'e, discoverer of pottery stone.

When to go

• May 4 for annual celebration of Kanagae Sambe'e.
• October 16 for Arita Okunchi festival.
• During weeklong Arita Ceramics Fair in conjunction with May 4.

Official site

arita-toso.net

Read more about Tōzan Shrine

Kushida-gū is an ancient shrine with important cultural properties, easily accessible from Kanzaki Station.

What it is

• A shrine in Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture.
• Origin attributed to Emperor Keiko.
• Enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto and other deities.
• Kushida Shrine in Hakata was established as a branch.

What to see

• First torii has a plaque with "Kushiyama Kushida-gu".
• Second torii built in 1602.
• Second torii is a prefectural cultural property.
• Stone Hizen torii is an important cultural property.

When to go

• Spring festival in April.
• Autumn festival in October.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Kanzaki Station.

Address

佐賀県神埼市神埼町神埼419番地1 Map

Read more about Kushida-gū

Yodohime Shrine is an ancient shrine dedicated to a powerful deity, with historic gates and buildings.

What it is

• An ancient Shikinaisha and Hizen Province Ichinomiya.
• Dedicated to the deity Yodohime-no-mikoto.
• Deity enshrined on November 1, 564 AD.
• Listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho in 927 AD.

What to see

• The main hall, heiden, and worship hall rebuilt in 1816.
• West Gate built in 1573, a prefectural cultural property.
• Third torii gate built in 1608, a city cultural property.
• Located on the right bank of the Kase River.

When to go

• Spring festival.
• Autumn festival.
• Niiname festival.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市大和町大字川上1 Map

Official site

yodohime.area9.jp

Read more about Yodohime Shrine

Ayabe Shrine is Japan's oldest weather station, known for its unique wind divination rituals.

What it is

• Also known as Ayabe Hachimangu or Ayabe Hachiman Shrine.
• Called "Japan's oldest weather station."
• Enshrines the god of wind.
• Established in 1205.

What to see

• A torii gate from 1701 with an inscription about the flag.
• Sacred ginkgo tree, one of Saga's 100 famous trees.
• Botamochi sold at the approach to the shrine.

When to go

• July 15th for the Hataage Shinji (flag raising ritual).
• Wind divination ritual is an intangible folk cultural property.

Address

佐賀県三養基郡みやき町原古賀2338 Map

Read more about Ayabe Shrine

Historic shrine in Saga City with unique torii gate and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine in Saga City, founded in 1187.
• Dedicated to Emperor Ōjin, a deified emperor.
• Moved during the construction of Saga Castle.
• Invited a divided spirit from Tsurugaoka Hachimangū.

What to see

• Hizen Torii, inscribed in 1604, dedicated by Nabeshima Naoshige's wife.
• Hizen Torii is a Saga City Important Cultural Property.
• Main sanctuary built in the mid-1800s.
• Worship hall constructed around 1901.
• Kusunoki Shrine enshrines Kusunoki Masashige and Masatsura.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市白山一丁目 Map

Read more about Ryūzōji-hachinamgū

Suwa Shrine is an ancient shrine in Karatsu City, offering a glimpse into Japanese history and culture.

What it is

• Ancient shrine founded in 784 AD.
• Dedicated to Takeminakata-no-kami, Yasakatome-no-kami, and Suwamae-no-mikoto.
• Visited by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to pray for victory.
• Modern sports teams also pray for victory here.

What to see

• A subsidiary shrine, Suga Shrine, is on the grounds.
• Keiran rice cakes, once offered to Hideyoshi, are sold nearby.

When to go

• Spring Festival is held in May.
• Autumn Grand Festival is held on November 23rd.

Address

佐賀県唐津市浜玉町浜崎1181 Map

Read more about Suwa Shrine

Visit Kyushu's oldest shrine building, a 15th-century National Important Cultural Property.

What it is

• A shrine dedicated to Munakata Sanjojin and eight other gods.
• Rebuilt in 1334, it guards the Hatazu region.
• Its main hall is Kyushu's oldest existing shrine building.

What to see

• The main hall, built in the 15th century.
• The main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• An ooiya (covering structure) protects the main hall.
• The main hall was once a vermilion-lacquered building.
• Main hall built in Sanmensha Nagaremisetana-zukuri style.

Address

〒848-0102 佐賀県伊万里市波多津町畑津1260 Map

Read more about Tashima Shrine (Imari)

Takeo Shrine is an ancient shrine with a 3000-year-old camphor tree, worth visiting for its history.

What it is

• Founded in 735 AD by Tomo no Yukiyori.
• Main deity is Takeuchi no Sukune.
• Relocated to current site around 1118-1120.
• Performed prayers for the defeat of the Taira clan in 1185.

What to see

• Sacred camphor tree, estimated to be 3000 years old.
• 255-meter-long yabusame horse-riding ground.
• First torii gate built in 1641.
• Second torii gate built in 1672.
• Third torii gate rebuilt in 1617.
• 218 ancient documents, important cultural properties.

Address

佐賀県武雄市武雄町大字武雄5335 Map

Read more about Takeo Shrine

Yoka Shrine, founded in 564 AD, offers ancient architecture and historical artifacts.

What it is

• Ancient shrine in Saga City, Saga Prefecture.
• Founded in 564 AD.
• Dedicated to the deity Yodohime-no-kami.

What to see

• Romon gate, Saga Prefecture's oldest building, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Three torii gates, one is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Main hall and worship hall, built in 1758 and 1759.
• Stone bridge with 10 finials, dating to 1606.
• Bronze bell, donated in 1251.
• Sword attributed to Osafune Yasumitsu.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市与賀町2-50 Map

Official site

yokajinjya.sagafan.jp

Read more about Yoka Shrine

Nikita Shrine offers ancient trees and unique festivals, including a lion dance.

What it is

• Shinto shrine in Saga City, Saga Prefecture.
• Originally a sacred forest (chinju no mori).

What to see

• A 1600-year-old camphor tree.
• A 2200-year-old Chinese juniper sacred tree.
• Legend of Xu Fu landing in Morodomi-cho.

When to go

• Hatsuka Ebisu Festival on January 20th.
• Kinen-sai Festival on February 21st.
• Spring Festival on April 19th.
• Ofuri Festival on October 19th features Mie no Shishimai lion dance.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市諸富町大字為重1073番地 Map

Read more about Nikita Shrine

Inasa Shrine is a historic site with ancient roots, notable for its unique architecture and natural monuments.

What it is

• Shrine dedicated to Itakeru-no-mikoto and Oyatsuhime-no-mikoto.
• Granted Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade in 861.
• Main hall rebuilt in 1721.

What to see

• Stone Hizen Torii, an important cultural property.
• Several subsidiary shrines.
• Two camphor trees, designated natural monuments.
• One camphor tree is the tallest in the prefecture.

When to go

• Autumn festival on October 19th.
• Yabusame event is held.

Address

佐賀県杵島郡白石町辺田 Map

Read more about Inasa Shrine

Hōtō Shrine, founded in 1586, is a unique shrine on Takashima Island known for lottery winnings.

What it is

• A shrine on Takashima island in Karatsu Bay.
• Founded in 1586, originally named Tsunayoshi Shrine.
• A subsidiary shrine of Shioya Shrine.
• Known for lottery winnings and related items.

What to see

• Lottery-related items sold at the shrine.
• A cat at Nozaki Shoten known for praying for lottery wins.
• A lottery ticket sales point on the island.

Getting there

• About 2km north of Karatsu Castle.

Address

佐賀県唐津市高島523 Map

Read more about Hōtō Shrine

Imari Shrine: a modern shrine with ancient roots, home to historic gates and a unique bust.

What it is

• Established in 1962 by merging three shrines.
• Kōkitsu Shrine founded by Tachibana no Shimadamaro.
• Kōkitsu Shrine enshrined Tachibana no Moroe.
• Iwakuri Shrine began in 740.

What to see

• Old torii gates from two former shrines.
• A bust of Taichiro Morinaga.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on July 19th.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Imari Station.

Address

佐賀県伊万里市立花町84 Map

Read more about Imari Shrine

Ōuo Shrine features iconic torii gates in the sea, offering unique coastal views and a rich history.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine dedicated to Ōuo Daimyōjin.
• Re-established in 1682 after a deputy official was saved by a large fish.

What to see

• Multiple torii gates built in the sea.
• The main hall stands between Mount Tara and Okinoshima.
• The sea torii gates have a plaque that reads "Okinokami."
• Six Jizo statues and a Kagodo.

When to go

• Torii gates are rebuilt every 30 years.

Address

佐賀県藤津郡太良町多良1897 Map

Read more about Ōuo Shrine

Shiga Shrine is a historic shrine dedicated to sea gods, notable for its ancient camphor tree.

What it is

• Founded in 859, a branch of Shikaumi Shrine.
• Dedicated to the Sumiyoshi Sanjin, gods of the sea.
• Also enshrines Amenominakanushi no Mikoto, Emperor Ojin, Sugawara no Michizane.
• Considered the birthplace of the Japanese Navy.

What to see

• Main hall donated by Nabeshima Mitsushige in 1658.
• An 800-year-old camphor tree on the grounds.
• The shrine was once submerged at high tide.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市川副町大字早津江津400 Map

Read more about Shiga Shrine

Karatsu Shrine, founded in 1186, is a historic site with important cultural properties.

What it is

• Founded in 1186 by Koda Munetsugu.
• Dedicated to Sumiyoshi Sanjin, Koda Munetsugu, and Mizuhanome no Mikoto.
• Origin linked to Empress Jingu.
• Formerly a prayer place for Karatsu domain lords.

What to see

• Karatsu Kunchi is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
• Karatsu Hikiyama is a Prefectural Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

佐賀県唐津市南城内3-13 Map

Official site

www.karatsu-jinja.org

Read more about Karatsu Shrine

Tashima Shrine: an ancient shrine on an island, home to important cultural properties.

What it is

• Ancient shrine on Kabeshima island, Karatsu City.
• Dedicated to Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Takitsuhime.
• Known as Tajima Niimasu Kami no Yashiro in ancient times.
• Designated a Kokuhei Chusha in the Meiji era.

What to see

• A tachi sword, an important national cultural property.
• Kabeshima Warm-Climate Plant Community, a natural monument.

Address

佐賀県唐津市呼子町加部島3965 Map

Read more about Tashima Shrine

Suga Shrine is a historic shrine with a summer festival, worth visiting for its ancient roots.

What it is

• Founded in 803 CE.
• Built by Chiba Tanetsada in 1316.
• Enshrines a spirit from Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine.
• Name changed from Gion-sha to Suga-sha in 1876.

What to see

• Stone steps used as a filming location.

When to go

• Gion-e festival has three annual events.
• Ogi Gion Summer Festival is on fourth Sunday of July.

Address

佐賀県小城市小城町松尾3594 Map

Read more about Suga Shrine