Taku Confucian Temple Ohitaki

• Details: A fire will be lit on the 31st to ward of disease and disaster in the coming year.
• When: December 31 to January 1
• Where: Chuo Dori area of downtown Saga City

New Years Countdown and Cannon Fire

• Details: Eight shots will be fired at midnight.
• When: December 31 23:30 to January 1 0:30
• Where: Saga Shrine

Ureshino Onsen Countdown

• Details: Onsen tofu will be served for free from 23:00.
• When: December 31 to January 1
• Where: Yuasobi Hiroba, Ureshino

Arita Porcelain Lanterns

• When: December 31 to January 1
• Where: Lamps will line the streets from Fuda no Tsuji intersection to Touzan Shrine in Arita

Shiroishi Shrine Hongengyo

• Details: Participants bring their first writing of the year to add to a bonfire, then eat mochi roasted over the fire for good health for the year.
• When: Evenings October 30 to January 14
  • Where: Chuo Dori area of downtown Saga City

Ninja Run Campain at Hizen Yumekaido

• Details: If you be the ninjas in a race up the steps to the park, you will receive free entrance. Participants must be middle school-age or older. Limited to 10 groups max.
• When: December 22 and 23, 29 to January 3, 5, and 6, registration at 9:30
• Where: Hizen Yumekaido Ninja Village, Ureshino

Oomuraya Jazz Night with Neil Swainson

• When: January 9, 20:30 to 22:00
• Where: Ryokan Oomuraya, Ureshino
• Cost: 3500 yen (includes free entrance to the onsen), free for overnight guests
• Reservations: Those wishing to attend are asked to email the inn for reservations. Details here.

Imari Ebisu Festival

• Details: Features a parade, lottery, and free sake and tonjiru (pork soup)
• When: January 13, 11:00 to 15:00, lottery starts at 12:15
• Where: Ko-imari Street, in front of Shinwa Bank, Imari

Hizen Saga Bakumatsu-Meiji Restoration Expo

• Details: The Expo wraps up this month! Those interested in learning about Saga’s role in modernizing Japan during this period should check it out before it’s gone!
• When: Until January 14
• Where: Various locations in Saga City, satellite venues in Tosu and Karatsu
• Cost: A fee is charged for access to some of the venues

Chinese Cooking Class

• Details: Participants will make steamed meat buns and also watch the teacher make napa cabbage salad and Chinese soup. The teacher is Chinese and the class will be taught in Japanese.
• When: January 19, 10:00 to 14:00
• Where: Avance 3rd Fl. Cooking Room, Saga City
• Registration: Max 20 participants, registration required. Email or call to register. More information here.
• Cost: 500 yen

Circle Time

• When: January 20, 13:30 to 15:30
• Where: Saga International Plaza, Saga Shoko Building 1F, Saga City

Saga Light Fantasy (Illumination)

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

Japan’s Tallest Kadomatsu

• Details: Homan Shrine erects the tallest kadomatsu (bamboo and pine decorations used to usher in the new year) ever year
• When: Standing until February 3
• Where: Homan Shrine, Karatsu

Ureshino Attaka Festival

• Details: A lantern display will be set up, and Ureshino onsen tofu and onsen-steamed eggs and sweet potatos will be sold for 100 yen in Ureshino Onsen Park and the city plaza. Participating onsen will also offer 50% off entry to the baths.
• When: January 26 to February 11, main venue open 17:00 to 22:00 weekdays, 15:00 to 22:00 weekends and holidays
• Where: Ureshino City Gymnasium (main lantern venue) and various places in Ureshino
• Cost: 500 yen for main venue

Oyster Grill in Hatatsu

• When: Weekends until April 28, 10:00 to 16:00
• Where: Hatatsu Fureai Hiroba, Imari

Grass Sledding at Botayama Wanpaku Park

• When: Until March 31, 10:00 to 17:00 (April 1 to October 31, 10:00 to 18:00), closed Wednesdays
• Where: Botayama Wanpaku Park, Omachi
• Cost: Sleds are free to borrow