Signups for the Sakura marathon begin

• When: October 2^nd 8 pm (Wed) to October 11^th (Fri)
• Details: Registration opens for the Sakura marathon which will be held on March 22nd. Spots fill up quickly, so it’s best to sign up as soon as the registration opens.
• Where: starts at the Saga Prefectural Gymnasium, Saga city
• Cost: 9500 for the full marathon, 4000 yen for the fun run (+5.15% processing fee)
• Link: https://sagasakura-marathon.jp/

Noh Performance at Nagoya Castle Ruins

• When: October 5^th( (Sat) 4pm
• Details: A special noh performance with fire will take place at the historical Nagoya castle site.
• Where: Nagoya Castle Ruins, Karatsu city
• Cost: Admission is free

New Collection exhibition at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum

• When: October 5^th (Sat) 2019 to November 24^th (Sun), 2019
• Details: A collection of 101 pieces will be on special display, provided by the Hizen Porcelain researcher Yoshiro Imaizumi and his son Yoshihiro. Nabeshima ware and Hasami ware mainly from Arita dating back to the first half of the Edo period will be on display.
• Where: Kyushu Ceramic Museum, Arita
• Cost: Admission is free

Kashima Autumn Brewery Festival

• When: October 6^th, 2019 (Sun) 4pm-9pm
• Details: Ten sake breweries from Kashima will participate in a sort of open house. The first 400 visitors will receive a present. Visitors can sample local food and delicious sake.
• Where: Kashima city center, five minutes away from Hizen Kashima station by foot.
• Cost: 1,300 yen for advance tickets, 1,500 on the day, 1,000 for the purchase of additional tickets. Tickets are on sale now.

Yoshinogari Truck Market

• When: October 6^th (Sun) 8:30am to 11:30am (This event is held on the first Sunday of every month.)
• Details: A cute farmer’s market style event featuring yellow plate trucks, fresh produce, fish, crafts, clothing, and more will be on sale. More than 100 shops will participate and special events will take place within this event.
• Where: Yoshinogari Historical Park East Exit Parking Lot, Yoshinogari

Nanayama Goods Festival

• When: October 6^th (Sun) 10am to 4pm
• Details: Various items made in Nanayama will be on sale, including fresh produce.
• Where: Nanayama Public Hall, Nanayama Civic Center Square, Nanayama, Karatsu

Hizen Marriage Project “Koi no Iroha Con Part 2”

• When: October 6^th 10:30am to 4:30pm
• Details: Single people under forty are encouraged to join this nature walk in Hizen and as their love for Hizen increases so does their likelihood of finding true love.
• Where: Hizen, Karatsu city
• Cost: 3000 yen for men, 2000 yen for women

Saga Shrine and Matsubara Shrine Autumn Festival

• When: October 10^th (Thur) to October 12th (Sat) from 4pm on the 10^th, from 10am on the 11^th and 12th
• Details: Prayers for a rich harvest and good business will take place at Saga shrine. Street stalls will also be around on the day and on the 11^th there will be procession to collect donations with portable shrines.
• Where: Saga city

Tosu Piano Competition

• When: October 12^th (Sat) to October 14^th (Mon)
• Details: Talented pianists from all over Japan will compete to qualify as the concerto soloist at a concert with the orchestra in Tosu City in 2020.
• Where: Tosu City Cultural Hall, Tosu City
• Cost: Admission is free.

Kyushu Olle Karatsu Course

• When: October 12^th (Sat)
• Details: Take a leisurely walk around Karatsu and appreciate the history and culture. This walk will focus on the ruins of Nagoya castle and the beauty of the Genkai sea from the view of Cape Hado.
• Where: From Road Station Momoyama Tenka, Karatsu City

Nakajima Yamakasa Festival

• When: October 12^th (Sat) and 13^th (Sun)
• Details: A festival dedicated to the Wakamiya Shrine will take place in conjunction with the Nakajima festival. Lotteries, band performances, hula dances, taiko drum performances, and sales of local goods will take place
• Where: Nakajima, Itsuki-machi, Karatsu City

Naritomi Hyogo Jidai Festival

• When: October 12^th (Sat) 10am to 5pm
• Details: A festival celebrating Moyane Ko and events related to the Edo period will be held. This includes a samurai procession. There will also be horseback archery.
• Where: Shiroishi Shrine, Miyaki

Kangetsu Tea Party

• When: October 13^th (Sun) 10am to 3pm, 4pm to 7pm
• Details: Drink tea under the autumn moon.
• Where: Chawan Kaigetsu (in front of the Nagoya Castle Museum, Karatsu city
• Cost: 1,000 yen for the daytime event, 2,500 yen for the evening event.

Gonomiya Shrine Autumn Festival (Kitakashima Furusato Festival)

• When: October 18^th (Fri) to October 20^th (Sun) from 7pm on Friday, from 1pm on Saturday and Sunday
• Details: A lion dance and special procession will take place during this autumn festival.
• Where: Gonomiya Shrine, Kashima

Ouchi Kunchi

• When: October 18^th (Fri) 7pm to 9pm, October 19^th 10:40am to 7pm, October 20^th (Sun) 11am to 8:30pm
• Details: The autumn festival of Kumano Shrine will be held with a procession through Ouchi. Portable shrines will be carried through the town.
• Where: Aichijuku Street, Ouchi, Karatsu.

The three kunchi festivals of Shiroishi

• When: October 19^th (Sat)
• Details: Three separate shines will host separate kunchi festivals in the town of Shiroishi celebrating a good harvest.
• Where: Inasa Shrine 2-4pm, Fukudomi Shrine 11am to 2:30pm, Tsumama Shrine 1pm to 4pm

Tosu Morning Market

• When: October 20^th (Sun) from 8am to 12pm
• Details: Fresh produce, fish, flowers and various local goods will be on sale in Tosu. Crafts will also be on sale. Shoppers are asked to bring their own bag.
• Where: Saga Bank Tosu Branch Parking Lot, Tosu city

Circle time

• When: October 20^th, 13:00-15:00
• Details: Join us for an autumn tradition of playing games and reading to small children in Saga city.
• Where: Saga International Plaza, Shoko Building, Saga City

Takeo Onsen Autumn Festival

• When: October 22nd (Tues) to October 23^rd (Weds) 2pm to 3pm
• Details: Observe horseback archery in front of Takeo Shrine.
• Where: Across from Takeo Shrine and the Takeo Library

Ton Ten Ton

• When: October 25^th to October 27^th
• Details: One of the three main fighting shrine festivals in Japan, two shrines will be carried through the city and bashed against each other in various meeting points. Sunday the 27^th is the final and biggest day, ending when both shrines are tossed into the river. Wow this is the best event in Saga.
• Where: Imari city, various points around the city center

Yoshinogari Furusato Fire Festival

• When: October 26^th to October 27^th
• Details: Held since ancient times, a torch procession with historical costumes will take place in the park. Many stalls will be around and there will be fire illuminations.
• Where: Yoshinogari Historical Park, Yoshinogari

Kurokami Shrine Horseback Archery

• When: October 29^th (Tues) 2pm to 3pm
• Details: To commemorate and celebrate the slaying of a mean, huge snake who lived on Kurokami and was a jerk, a horseback archery exhibition is held at Kurokami Shrine.
• Where: Kurokami Shrine, Takeo city

Saga Light Fantasy (Illumination)

• When: October 30^th (Wed) to January 31^st (Mon) 6pm to 10pm (ish)
• Details: Along the main street of Saga, winter LED illuminations will be on display. On the first day a special parade will take place.
• Where: Saga City Central Boulevard, Saga city

40^th Annual Saga International Balloon Fiesta

• When: October 31^st (Thur) to November 4^th (Mon) 6:30am to 8pm
• Details: The largest hot air balloon festival in Asia will be held with over 100 balloons from all around the world. The morning launch and the night mooring illumination are a must see for those in Saga. Come early, dress warmly, and be aware of time changes due to weather. Note this event is best accessed by train and that trains will be very crowded at this time.
• Where: Balloon Station Saga, Saga city

Team LAB Projection Mapping at Mifuneyama Rakuen

• When: July 12^th to November 4^th
• Details: The beautiful Mifuneyama gardens host a special seasonal light show at night.
• Where: Mifuneyama Rakuen, Takeo city
• Cost: 1,200 yen on weekdays, 1,400 yen on weekends

Taku Confucian Temple Autumn Ceremony

• When: October 27^th 10am to 12:50pm
• Details: The Taku Confucian Temple is only open twice a year, in the fall and spring. This is one of the oldest Confucian temples in Japan and this ceremony has a history dating back over 300 years. In the area in front of the temple local goods will also be on sale.
• Where: Taku Seibyo, Taku City