10月1日~1月12日ー　佐賀　Saga　ー　Saga Light Fantasy

From late autumn to winter, the city of Saga will be beautifully lit up, centered around Saga City’s central boulevard (approximately 1.6 km of the symbolic road), with spot illuminations at places like Esplatz and 656 Square, voluntary illuminations by stores along the route, and illuminations with the participation of local residents.

11月24〜2月1日　ー　唐津　Karatsu ー　Damonmatsu Pine Tree at Houman Shrine

Now in its 22nd year, the Daimonmatsu pine tree welcomes worshippers with a powerful 15.5-meter high tree and a 3.5-meter diameter base. It is a popular spot for praying for lottery ticket winners, but no priest is stationed at the shrine, so visitors must make their own prayers.

12月15〜1月15日　ー　多久 Taku ー　Taku Seibyo Confucian Temple New Year`s Illumination

The “Pentagonal Gate,” which is associated with “success in entrance examinations,” will be set up along the approach to the temple, making it a popular spot for students preparing for entrance examinations. Please come with your family or loved ones. Entry is free of charge, with the temple being lit between sunset and 9PM. The temple is a 10 minute drive from JR Taku station.

12月26日〜1月９日　ー　呼子　Yobuko　ー　Yobuko Ikasu Kadomatsu

The special “Ikasu Kadomatsu” is a 5-meter high gorgeous shimenawa decoration decorated with Yobuko’s specialty, squid. A large ema (votive tablet) and a message bag with a “go-en (karma) ball” are also displayed as New Year’s good luck talismans. Please experience the “squidgy” New Year’s mood that can only be experienced in Yobuko’s Morning Market Street.

1月1日　ー　佐賀　Saga ー Opening of Lift Bridge Promenade

Between 6:30-8:00 AM on January 1st, you can watch the first sunrise of the year while crossing the Chikugo River Lift Bridge (located in Oaza Tameshige, Morodomi-cho, Saga City).

1月２〜3日　ー　佐賀　Saga ー　New Year’s at Saga Castle Honmaru

On January 2nd they will hold their annual “Kite Making Experience,” “New Year’s Calligraphy Experience,” and “O-hitsu-kaki” (Large Brush Calligraphy). Come visit the Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum with your friends this New Year!

１月2〜3日　ー　太良町　Tara　ー　Takezakikanzeon-ji Temple New Year’s Shujo Onie Festival

This is a traditional event that has continued since the Nara Period.
This festival, held on the 2nd and 3rd of January every year, is said to be held to prevent the overthrow of Takezaki Island, based on a legend that if two husband and wife demons call out to each other and reunite, the island will be overthrown. In addition to the Buddhist memorial service and drum chanting, unique ceremonies are performed, including the “Doji Mai” dance performed by two children wearing fish hats and white masks, and the “Daisho Uchikiri” in which oak sticks called Daisho-bar are bound together and struck into the temple grounds.

１月７日　ー　唐津　Karatsu ー　Onja Onja

Onja-Onja” is a heroic New Year’s Onisube ritual that has been handed down since the Edo period (1603-1868). After parading through the community carrying huge torches 10 meters high and 1 meter in diameter, they light the turrets piled with New Year’s decorations in the precincts of the shrine and burn them down to pray for good health and family safety throughout the year.　18:00-21:30, 148 Junin-machi, Karatsu, 847-0067.

1月9日　ー　佐賀　Saga City ー　Toka Ebisu Festival Kimono Parade

Participants are wanted to take part in the parade through the city to Saga Ebisu Shrine. Participation is free, and on-the-day participation is also welcome (you must wear a kimono). You will receive a lucky bamboo, lucky coupon, and udon coupon. The meeting time is at 15:00, with the parade starting at 15:45.

1月10〜11日　ー　佐賀　Saga City　ー　SAGA Balloon Challenge Series

A participatory ballon event at the Kasegawa riverbank in Saga City (JR Nagasaki Main Line North Kasegawa Disaster Prevention Station), where you can experience tethered hot air balloon riding. Registration begins at 6:30AM (first 200 paid participants will be accepted). The contest will take place between 7:00~9:00 AM.

1月24〜2月8日　ー　嬉野　Ureshino ー　Ureshino Attaka Festival

A feature of the winter season, in Ureshino city lanterns are lit up in various places between sunset and 21:00. On the weekends, you can also enjoy traditional performances and hot tofu. (Shimojuku, Ureshino, 843-0301)

1月25日　ー　白石町　Shiroishi ー　Gyokusenbo’s Fire Walking Procession

The Gyokusenbo fire-walking ceremony is held every year around mid-January at Gyokusenbo, one of Inasa’s sixteen monasteries.　Gyokusenbou is a place where Buddhist priests dressed as mountain priests burn a gomadan to invoke Fudo Myoo, which is believed to burn away afflictions and drive away evil spirits.　At the end of the ceremony, the “fire-walking” is performed, in which participants walk barefoot across the remains of the burnt-out gomadan, hoping for a year of good health and safety in their homes.　Begins at 1:00PM (2878 Heta, Kishima-gun, Shiroishi-cho, Saga, 849-1206)