Sakae no Kuni Festival

• When: August 1, 2:00 to 10:00 pm (some events start at 10:00 am); August 2, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Where: Saga City Symbol Road and surrounding areas
• Additional info: There will be fireworks at 7:50 pm on the 1st!

Tokujin Yoshioka TORNADO

• When: July 2 to August 2, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, closed Mondays or the day following a holiday
• Where: Saga Prefectural Art Museum, Exhibition Rooms 2-4
• Cost: Free! This is really rare for a special exhibit, so take the chance to check it out while in town for Sakae no Kuni!

Tanabata at Saga Jinja

• When: August 1, 7:00 pm to 8:20 pm
• Where: Saga Jinja

Imari Summer Women’s Docchan Festival

• When: August 2, 2:30 to 9:00 pm (may be cancelled in case of rain)
• Where: Hamachou Crossing Stage and the surrounding area

Fireworks at Hamasaki Kaigan

• When: August 7, 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Raindate of August 9)
• Where: Hamasaki Beach in Karatsu

Kashima Dance Festival

• When: August 7 and 8, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Where: Downtown Kashima

King of Curry Competition in Karatsu

• When: 11:00 am to 3:30 pm, August 8 (votes must be made by 3:45 pm) Maybe cancelled due to bad weather.
• Where: Karatsu City Furusato Hall Arupino
• Cost: 1000 yen in advance or 1200 yen the day-of. There are a limited number of tickets

MoriagaraNIGHT

A music event with drinks and food in Taku (Originally scheduled for July 26, but date was changed due to the typhoon)

• When: August 9, music starts at 7:00 pm, open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Where: The open area on the south side of Houraian, a souvenier shop in Taku
• Cost: 1000 yen entrance fee

Taku Cosplay Event

• When: August 9, 10:00 am
• Where: Near Exchange Center Aiparetto
• Cost: Viewing, free; Cosplay registration, 1000 yen; Camera registration, 500 yen

Ureshi-Carnival

• When: August 10, 8:00 to 9:00 pm
• Where: Hondoori Shopping District in Ureshino Onsen

Fireworks at the 38th Ureshino Onsen Festival

The climax of this show is the countdown to launch two super-sized fireworks.

• When: August 11, 8:30 pm to 9:15 pm (Raindate of August 12)
• Where: The multipurpose open space at Miyuki Park

Taku Yamakasa Festival

• When: August 15 to 16, 6:00 to 10:00 pm
• Where: Around JR Taku Station

Fireworks at Hadomisaki

• When: August 22, 8:00 pm to 8:50 pm (Raindate of August 24)
• Where: Hadomisaki Swimming Area in Karatsu

“Let’s Get Our Hands on a Steam Warship!” Exhibition

With Mietsu Naval Dock recently being designated as a World Heritage site, Chokokan will be showcasing writings by Naomasa, as well as three steamship models.

• When: July 6 to September 12, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, closed Mondays and holidays
• Where: Chokokan
• Cost: ￥300

Nagoya Castle Virtual Experience

• When: July 17 to August 30, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed Mondays, or the day following holidays
• Where: Nagoya Castle History Museum
• Cost: Free, but identification must be presented to borrow the experience tablets

Mifuneyama Rakuen Bamboo Lights

• When: July 17 to August 31, 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm (May be cancelled due to rain)
• Where: Mifuneyama Rakuen
• Cost: ￥300 for adults, ￥100 for children (Free if you come in yukata or jinbei)

Imari Living Creatures Exhibit

• When: July 25 to August 31, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Closed Mondays except August 31
• Where: Imari City History Museum

Rulers of the Deep Special Exhibit

• When: July 11 to September 27, 9:15 am to 5:15 pm (6:00 pm on weekends and 7:00 pm over summer vacation), closed July 13, September 1-4, 7 and 14
• Where: Saga Prefecture Science Museum yumeginga
• Cost: 510 yen

Cover photo credit.