April Events Calendar

Our new AJET Representative Matt helped us kick off cherry blossom season with a picnic in Ogi Park on March 30th, where the jury was out on Vegemite but everyone agreed that Tim Tams (Penguins, for my fellow Brits!) were delicious. We had a very generous spread of food and all enjoyed a stroll through the cherry blossoms.

Ogi Park / 荻公園 (home to 3000 Cherry Blossom trees!)

The weather is still rather cold and blustery, but warmer days are certainly on the way, and the sakura is in bloom everywhere you go. There are many opportunites to enjoy the beauty of the spring season or to embrace tradition this month, so be sure to check these events out!

4月7日〜5月6日　ー　武雄市　Takeo City – Mifuneyama Rakuen

As you can expect from any flower festival, the dates are adjusted each year. But from early April to May you can enjoy beautiful scenery at Mifuneyama Rakuen; azaleas, wisteria, and spring maples. The park boasts over 200,000 azaleas, which certainly steal the show!

Accessible within 5 minutes drive or 30 minutes walk from Takeo Onsen Station

4月〜5月　ー　基山町　Kiyama Town ー　Daikouzenji Azalea Festival

The ‘love sanctuary’, Daikouzenji Temple, opens its azalea garden from mid-April to May. Within a 75,000 square meter park, you’ll be able to view over 50,000 azaleas during their prettiest time of year.

Accessible 10 minutes from Kiyama Station via car.

4月18日　ー　多久聖廟 Taku Seibyo　ー　 Sekisai Festival

At the Confucian Temple in Taku city, this traditional ritual event has been held in Spring and Autumn for more than three hundred years. 雅楽 (gagaku, traditional court music) is played at the ceremony, with the Mayor making offerings to Confucius and his four disciples. Afterwards, there are performances of the Sekisai and Chinese-style Lion dances, and Yoko (hip-drum).

Accessible 10 minutes from Taku Station by bus/car

4月29日〜5月3日　ー　伊万里市　Imari City　ー　Okawachiyama Pottery Fair　

This is a great time of year to venture up into the ‘Village of Secret Kilns’, Okawachiyama. From 1675~1871, the village was the official kiln of the Nabeshima family of the Saga Domain, and has produced high-quality pottery for generations. You’ll be able to find some excellent pottery at very affordable prices, and enjoy the scenery along the way! 　

Accessible 15 minutes from Imari Station via car, or via direct bus every 2 hours

4月29日~5月5日　ー　有田町 Arita Town　ー　 Arita Ceramic Fair

Visited by more than a million people each year, during Golden Week over 500 shops line up along a 4km stretch in Arita to sell their wares. Arita-yaki is incredibly famous across Japan, and you can find unique pieces for very affordable prices. Some vendors offer coffee or tea, and let you keep the cup afterwards! And potteries may even open up their kilns to the public.

Accessible easily by train, as it is held between Arita Station and Kami-Arita Station

4月29日~5月5日　ー　唐津市 Karatsu City　ー　 Karatsu Yakimon Festival

Karatsu also hosts a Ceramic festival during Golden Week. Exhibitions and sales are held throughout the town, and there is usually an exhibition at the former Karatsu Bank. Some eateries in the city may offer limited menu items served to you in Karatsu-yaki. Tea ceremonies are also available, but are booked up very quickly.

Most venues accessible via foot from Karatsu Station, or else via car/bus

Even walking around our towns and cities feels like a treat at this time of year – the greenery verdant and the cherry blossoms bloomed and scattering. Saga Castle looks particularly beautiful, if you happen to be nearby (and quick!)