June may mark the start of rainy season, but is also ume season! Pick some fresh ume and make your own umeshu, ume syrup, umeboshi, or ume jam!

Circle Time!

• Details: Join us for storybooks, songs and crafts with local kids!
• When: June 25, 12:30 to 14:30
• Where: Saga Shoko Building, Saga City

Domain Founder Nabeshima Naoshige and Nipponsha Exhibit

• When: May 29 to July 29, 9:30 to 16:00, closed Sundays and holidays
• Where: Chokokan, Saga
• Cost: 300 yen

Ume Picking at Kagami Shrine

• When: From when the ume are ready to pick until they are gone (approx. June 1 to 25), 9:00 to 25
• Where: Kagami Shrine, Karatsu
• Cost: 500 yen per net bag

Harpsichord Performance

• When: June 2, 18:15 to 18:45
• Where: Saga City Cultural Hall
• If interested, contact: sagakokusai@yahoo.co.jp

16th Nabeshima Houkoukai Foundation Research Findings Presentation to the Public

• Details: 5 researchers will present their findings on topics related to Saga
• When: June 3, 14:00 to 16:30
• Where: Chokokan, Saga
• Cost: 500 yen

Yobuko Tug-of-War Battle

• Details: A festival with historic roots. Participation from spectators is allowed!
• When: Kids tug-of-war: June 3, 13:00, Ceremony: June 4, 12:30, Adults tug-of-war: 13:00
• Where: June 3: In front of the Yobuko Citizens Center, June 4: 呼子三神社 Shrine (Sorry, I can’t find the reading for it. f(^^;;)

Ume Land

• Details: Pick ume (500 yen per bag), join in a darts contests, watch a traditional dance performance and more
• When: June 4, 10:00 to 14:00
• Where: Mifunegaoka Bairin Ume Orchard, Takeo
• Link

556ichiba in Honoohaku

• Details: 130 little shops will be set up with handmade goods.
• When: June 10 and 11, 10:00 to 14:00
• Where: Honoo no Kinendo, Arita

33rd Gatalympics

• Details: A Saga JET tradition. For those that haven’t signed up, come and watch your fellow JETs compete!
• When: June 11, events start at 13:00
• Where: Michi-no-eki Kashima, Kashima

Imari Okawachiyama Porcelain Bell Festival

• Details: Bells will be hung at the town’s many kilns
• When: Opening ceremony: June 17, 10:00, Bell festival period: July 17 to August 31
• Where: The Okawachiyama area, Imari

Walk in Warabino

• Details: Walk around the terraced rice fields and enjoy onigiri made from the rice.
• When: June 16, 10:00 check-in, 10:30 to 13:30 walking. Register by June 11.
• Where: At the Warabino Terraced Rice Fields entrance, Ouchi, Karatsu. Parking available.
• Cost: 1000 yen
• Link