Souvenirs

You will find a lot of wonderful souvenirs, created by the rich nature and craftsmanship of Saga. Purchase some to remember your visit.

Saga Nishiki Textile

There are a variety of Saga Nishiki products, such as handbags, wallets and sash buckles that fascinate people with their beautiful elegance. It is said that a wife of the Lord of Kashima Nabeshima Clan struck upon this textile by seeing ceiling patterns when she was sick in bed during the late Edo period. Their elegant and gorgeous geometric patterns are woven with silk as the weft and the gold, silver and lacquer as the warp.

Japanese Sake

Japanese Sake is an alcoholic drink made with fermented rice.
People drink sake by heating it (Okan) or cooling it and also use it as a seasoning to remove the smell of seafood or add flavor to food. Saga, a major rice producing area, has pure water and therefore, is a famous source of delicious sake.

Saga Nori(Laver)

Saga Nori cultivated in the Ariake Sea leads Japan in both quality and quantity. The secret of its deliciousness lies in the fact that the Ariake Sea is a flat land sea, rich in nutrients. Rivers flowing into the sea carry nutritious earth and sand into the bay. Currents also benefit laver cultivation. Fresh water and sea water mixes moderately, which leads to miraculous salt concentration perfect for laver cultivation. In addition, because of the rising and falling seawater, with its tidal range of 6 m, laver absorbs enough sunlight everyday and creates a unique flavor and sweetness.

Ogi Sweet Bean Yokan

The history of Ogi Yokan is not known for sure but it seemed to be already popular in the Meiji era under the name of Sakura Yokan. It is made of small beans, sugar, agar and powdered green tea. Its mild sweetness and nostalgic flavor are enjoyed even today. Ogi Yokan is popular nationwide.

Maruboro Cakes

This is one of the most famous sweets of Saga. It was originally Nanban (European) sweets introduced by a Dutchman who lived in Nagasaki 300 years ago. In those days, the cakes were harder and smaller. After some changes were made, by adding eggs, honey and baking powder, the taste was suitably developed for the Japanese.

Shoro Manju Cakes

The Shoro Manju cake is one of the most representative sweets of Karatsu. Shoro means "shoro" nodules (a kind of a mushroom) that form on the roots of trees in the Niji-no-Matsubara every spring and autumn. They can be seen in lovely globular shapes. Shoro Manju cakes are shaped to resemble them. Sweet bean paste, with a refined sweetness, is wrapped in a thin shell of flavorful castilla sponge cake. Its plain sweetness matches everyone's taste.

Furyumen Mask

Throughout the prefecture Menburyu (masked dance) festivals are held. The main character is a goblin that exterminates evil spirits. A mask of the goblin is called a Furyumen mask.

Japanese Tea - Ureshino Tea

It is said that a Ming Chinese descendent introduced Ureshino Tea to this region about 550 years ago. It is considered to be the root of Japanese tea today. Based on the original manufacturing method, this tea is made by being roasted in a kettle, a rare process in Japan.

Nogomi Dolls

Nogomi dolls are sold at the Yutoku Inari Shrine as souvenirs. The dolls made of clay are known as lucky charms that drive away evil spirits. They are characterized by round and simplified shapes and are colorfully painted.

[A] Saga Prefecture Industry Promotion Center (Saga City)

Here you will find a comprehensive display of the diverse products of Saga Prefecture available for purchase, namely, ceramics, well-known sweets including Maruboro cakes, Shoro Manju cakes and Ogi Yokan, and local souvenirs such as Ureshino Tea, Ariake delicacies, Japanese Sake and Saga Nishiki textile products.

[B] Furusato Kaikan Arupino (Karatsu City)

Furusato Kaikan Arupino is located close to JR Karatsu Station. On the first floor there are a variety of Karatsu products such as Shoro Manju cakes, Matsuurazuke pickles, squid shaomais (Chinese steam meat dumplings) and seafood products of the Genkai Sea. This is a convenient place to buy various souvenirs of Karatsu at one given time. The second floor is an exhibition hall for Karatsu ceramics. At a Japanese restaurant on the third floor, visitors can taste fresh seafood dishes of the Genkai Sea.

[C] Tosu Premium Outlet (Tosu City)

This shopping mall in Tosu City is an outlet center designed in a Spanish colonial style with a theme of a beautiful town of Southern California, where a clear blue sky and bright sunshine is a trademark. There are approximately 90 shops in the mall, selling clothes, shoes, accessories, watches, dishes, gift products, speakers and others.