Saga is renowned for it’s high quality sake, and to celebrate, the “10,000-Person Toast with Saga Sake” is held every October 1. If you would like to participate, visit a restaurant or follow the SNS (“Telework”) instructions and be ready to toast at 19:00. Toasts must be done with Saga sake. Find more info and a list of participating restaurants here.

Sagan Sake Toast at Holland House

• Details: Free sake for foreigners at Holland House. Snacks will also be provided.
• When: October 1, 16:30 to 20:00, toast a 19:00 sharp.
• Where: Holland House (佐賀銀行旧柳町支店）, Saga City

*Sign-ups* for the Saga Sakura Marathon

• Details: Registration starts October 2 at 20:00 and ends October 12 at 23:59. Spots fill up fast, so consider registering as soon as registrations opens! The marathon itself starts at 9:00 on March 24.
• Where: Starts at the Saga Prefectural Gymnasium, Saga City
• Cost: 9500 for the full marathon or 4000 yen for the fun run, plus a 5.15% processing fee
• Online registration must be done through the service RUNNET. Create an account here.

Circle Time

• Details: A Saga JET tradition. Join us for fall-themed fun with kids in Saga!
• When: October 7, prep starts around 13:00, event at 14:00
• Where: Saga International Plaza, Shoko Building, Saga City

Saga International Festa 2018 Main Event

• Details: Being held for the first time this year in Karatsu! Enjoy international performances and foods.
• When: October 13, 11:00 to 16:00
• Where: Karatsu City Hall
• Look here for more information on the various events and locations.

Jidai Festival and Horseback Archery

• When: October 13
• Where: Shiroishi Shrine, Miyaki

Keep Pine Project (Help clean Niji no Matsubara pine forest)

• When: October 14, 9:00 to 10:30
• Where: Higashi no Hama Park, Karatsu

10th Iga-style Ninja Star Throwing Competition Kyushu Preliminaries

• When: October 14, 10:00 to 15:00
• Where: Hizen Yumekaido, Ureshino
• Cost: 1000 yen to participate, 200 yen for a rule book
• Email Yumekaido directly with the requested information to register.

*Sign-ups* for the “Home of Confucius” Trail Run in Taku

• Details: Runners must sign-up by October 15. The event itself is held on November 25, with check-in starting at 7:30 and a briefing at 8:30 before the races start. The long course (25 km, 1390 m elevation) starts at 9:00 and the short course (15 km, 790 elevation) starts at 9:30. Registration is limited to 200 long course and 100 short course participants.
• Where: Starts at Taku Confucian Temple, Taku
• Cost: 5000 yen per registrant, plus a 5% processing fee
• Link

Thai Festival in Saga 2018

• When: October 20 and 21, 10:00 to 17:00
• Where: Kokorozashi no Mori, the south plaza of the Saga Prefectural Library, Saga City

Genkai International Day

• When: October 20, 10:00 to 17:00
• Where: Genkai Next Generation Energy Park Asupia, Genkai

Kashima Bar Crawl

• When: October 21, 16:00 to 21:00
• Where: Various breweries and restaurants in Kashima
• Cost: 1300 yen for advance tickets, 1500 yen day of. Tickets are used to buy sake and food.
• Flyer

Karatsu Fish Festival

• When: October 21, 9:00 to 14:00
• Where: Near the beach area, Karatsu

Takeo Onsen Autumn Festival

• When: October 22 from 18:00, October 23 archery from 14:00 to 15:00
• Where: Takeo Shrine, Takeo

Imari Tontenton Festival

• When: October 26 (18:30 to 19:40), 27 (10:00 to 16:15), and 28 (13:15 to 18:30)
• Where: Imari Shrine and surrounding area, Imari

13th Yume Misaki Cross Country Competition

• Details: Adult women can compete in the 2-K, men can compete in the 5-K
• When: Registration due by October 5. Event itself is October 21. Check-in from 7:50 to 8:20, ceremony at 8:40, competition from 9:10
• Where: Imari Yume Misaki Park, Imari
• Cost: 1000 yen
• Link

Multicultural Seminar on Disaster Preparation and Response

• When: October 27, 11:00 to 16:30
• Where: Saga Shoko Building, Saga City
• Link

Yoshinogari Furusato Fire Festival

• When: October 27, 10:00 to 20:30
• Where: Yoshinogari Historical Park Matsuri no Hiroba, Yoshinogari

Hama Kura Jazz and Movie Showing

• Details: Two events before the brewery festival. Enjoy a drink while watching a jazz performance, or view a classic movie with a glass of sake and a light meal.
• When: October 27, jazz performance from 19:00, movie showing from 18:00
• Where: Jazz at Tsukekura Tazou (漬蔵たぞう) and movie at Hizen Hama Station
• Cost: Jazz is 3000 yen in advance, 3500 day-of, one drink included. No details on the movie. ^^;

Kashima Autumn Brewery Festival

• When: October 28, 9:00 to 17:00
• Where: Hizenhama Yado area (Sake Brewery Lane), Kashima
• Flyer

Taku Confucian Temple Autumn Ceremony

• When: October 28, 10:00 to 12:00
• Where: Taku Confucian Temple

Team LAB Projection Mapping at Mifuneyama Rakuen

• When: Evenings from July 20 to October 28 (see the event page for exact times)
• Where: Mifuneyama Rakuen, Takeo
• Cost: 1200 yen

Yamada Sunflower Park Autumn Blossoms

• When: October 28 to November 30, 9:00 to 16:30
• Where: Yamada Sunflower Park, Miyaki

Kurokami Shrine Horseback Archery

• When: October 29, 14:00 to 15:00
• Where: Kurokami Shrine, Takeo

Saga Light Fantasy (Illumination)

• When: Evenings October 30 to January 14
• Where: Chuo Dori area of downtown Saga City

Saga International Balloon Fiesta

• When: Evenings October 30 to November 5
• Where: Kisegawa Riverside, Saga City (Balloon Saga Station will be open. Also accessible by bus.)

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