Editing Saga Prefecture

{{Short description|Prefecture of Japan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2011}}
{{redirect|Saga, Japan|the city|Saga (city)}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name                     = Saga Prefecture
| native_name              = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|佐賀県}}}}
| settlement_type          = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| translit_lang1           = Japanese
| translit_lang1_type      = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| translit_lang1_info      = {{lang|ja|佐賀県}}
| translit_lang1_type1     = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1     = {{lang|ja-Latn|Saga-ken}}
| image_skyline            = Nijinomatsubara.jpg
| image_caption            = [[Nijinomatsubara]] pine forest and a corner of [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]] city, Saga
| image_flag               = Flag of Saga Prefecture.svg
| flag_size                = 100px
| image_seal               = Symbol mark of Saga prefecture.svg
| seal_size                = 80px
| image_blank_emblem       = Emblem of Saga Prefecture.svg
| blank_emblem_size        = 80px
| blank_emblem_type        = Emblem
| image_map                = Map of Japan with highlight on 41 Saga prefecture.svg
| coordinates              = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1        = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Kyushu]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of islands of Japan|Island]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Kyushu]]
| seat_type                = [[List of capitals in Japan|Capital]]
| seat                     = [[Saga, Saga|Saga]]
| parts_type               = Subdivisions
| parts_style              = para
| p1                       = [[Districts of Japan|Districts]]: 6
| p2                       = [[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]]: 20
| leader_title             = [[List of prefectural governors in Japan|Governor]]
| leader_name              = [[Yoshinori Yamaguchi]]
| area_total_km2           = 2,439
| area_water_percent       = 1.7
| area_rank                = [[List of Japanese prefectures by area|42nd]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 785,748
| population_density_km2   = 322
| demographics_type2              = GDP 
| demographics2_footnotes         = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1            = Total
| demographics2_info1   = [[JP¥]] 3,220 billion<br />[[US$]] 29.5 billion (2019)
| iso_code                 = JP-41
| website                  = [https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/ Saga Prefecture-japanese-english translate]
| module                   = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| country  = Japan
| bird     = Black-billed&nbsp;[[European magpie|magpie]] (''Pica pica'')
| fish     = 
| flower   = [[Camphor]]&nbsp;blossom (''Cinnamomum camphora'')
| tree     = Camphor&nbsp;tree (''Cinnamomum camphora'')
}}
| anthem                   = [[:ja:佐賀県民の歌|Saga kenmin no uta]]
}}

{{nihongo|'''Saga Prefecture'''|佐賀県|Saga-ken|{{IPA|ja|saꜜ.ɡa, -ŋa, sa.ɡaꜜ.keɴ, -ŋaꜜ.keɴ}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located on the island of [[Kyushu]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Fukuoka-ken" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 218|page=218}}.</ref> Saga Prefecture has a population of roughly 780,000 and has a geographic area of {{Convert|2439|km2|sqmi|comma=}}. Saga Prefecture borders [[Fukuoka Prefecture]] to the northeast and [[Nagasaki Prefecture]] to the southwest.

[[Saga (city)|Saga]] is the capital and largest city of Saga Prefecture, with other major cities including [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]], [[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]], and [[Imari, Saga|Imari]].{{sfnp|Nussbaum|Roth|2005|loc="Saga prefecture", p. 804}} Saga Prefecture is located in the northwest of Kyūshū covering an [[isthmus]]-like area extending between the [[Sea of Japan]] and the [[Ariake Sea]].{{sfnp|Nussbaum|Roth|2005|loc="Saga prefecture", p. 804}} Saga Prefecture's western region is known for the production of [[Ceramic art|ceramics]] and [[porcelain]], particularly in the towns of Karatsu, Imari, and [[Arita, Saga|Arita]].

==History==
{{See also|Historic Sites of Saga Prefecture}}
[[File:YoshinogariIseki.jpg|thumb|A reconstruction of a [[Yayoi period]] building at the [[Yoshinogari site]]]]
[[File:唐津城 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Karatsu Castle]]]]
In ancient times, the area composed by [[Nagasaki Prefecture]] and Saga Prefecture was called [[Hizen Province]].{{sfnp|Nussbaum|Roth|2005|loc="Provinces and prefectures", p. 780}} The current name dates from the [[Meiji Restoration]]. Rice farming culture has prospered here since ancient times, and vestiges can be seen at the ruins of Nabatake in [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]] and the [[Yoshinogari site]] in [[Yoshinogari, Saga|Yoshinogari]].

===Feudal period===
[[File:Sagajyou shachinomon.jpg|thumb|[[Saga Castle]] (Shachi gate)]]
[[File:Romon gate and Honden of Yutoku Inari Shrine.jpg|thumb|[[Yūtoku Inari Shrine]]]]
[[File:La Montgorlfier Nocturne.JPG|thumb|[[Saga International Balloon Fiesta]]]]
[[File:Nijinomatsubara.jpg|thumb|[[Nijinomatsubara]]]]
From the [[Kamakura period]] to the [[Muromachi period]], it is thought that over 100 feudal clans existed. Also exerting great influence during this time was a samurai clan operating along the [[Genkai Sea]] called the Matsuratō. Upon entering the [[Sengoku period]], the [[Ryūzōji clan]] expanded their control to include all of Hizen and [[Chikugo Province]]s, and part of [[Higo Province|Higo]] and [[Chikuzen Province]]s. After the death of ''[[daimyō]]'' [[Ryūzōji Takanobu]], [[Nabeshima Naoshige]] took control of the political situation, and by 1607 all of the Ryūzōji clan's domain was under the control of the [[Nabeshima clan]].

In the [[Edo period]] this area was called the [[Saga Domain]] (佐賀藩 ''Saga-han''), and it included three sub-domains: the Hasunoike, Ogi and Kashima Domains. Also within the current borders of Saga Prefecture during this time were the [[Karatsu Domain]] (唐津藩 ''Karatsu-han'') and two territories of the [[Tsushima-Fuchū Domain]] (対馬府中藩 ''Tsushimafuchū-han''). Saga Domain and its sub-domains continued to be ruled by the Nabeshima clan, its various illegitimate family lineages and members of the former Ryūzōji clan, and politically the area was relatively stable. The cost of defending [[Nagasaki, Nagasaki|Nagasaki]] was increasing and, difficult from the start, the financial situation was worsened by the great [[Kyōhō]] famine and the [[Siebold typhoon|Siebold Typhoon]] of 1828. Due to the large area of reclaimed land from the [[Ariake Sea]], arable land was increased significantly and by the 1840s the annual [[koku]] of Saga Domain increased to about 670,000, twice that of 200 years before.

Around the middle of the 19th century, [[Naomasa Nabeshima]] strove to set right the domain's financial affairs, reduce the number of government officials, and encourage local industry such as [[Arita porcelain]], [[green tea]], and coal. Also, thanks to the proximity of the international port of Nagasaki, new technologies were introduced from overseas, such as the [[reverberatory furnace]] and models of [[steam locomotive]]s.

After the [[Boshin War]], many people from Saga Domain assisted in the [[Meiji Restoration]]. In the [[Meiji era]] the modernization of coal mines in [[Kishima District, Saga|Kishima]] and [[Higashimatsuura District, Saga|Higashimatsuura districts]], among others, progressed bolstered by the construction of railroads.

===Timeline===
[[Image:Eto Shimpei at Saga Rebellion.jpg|thumb|right|[[Eto Shimpei]] in Saga. Woodblock print from ''Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun'', 1874.]]
* 6th century BC (end of the [[Jōmon period]]): Estimated date of the Nabatake ruins in [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]]
* 1st century BC (middle of the [[Yayoi period]]): Villages flourished at what is now the [[Yoshinogari site]]
* 665: After losing the [[Battle of Baekgang]], Kii Castle (in present-day [[Kiyama, Saga|Kiyama]]) amassed its defenses to protect [[Dazaifu, Fukuoka|Dazaifu]].
* 733: [[Hizen Province|Hizen]] [[Fudoki]] created.
* 1274: [[Battle of Bun'ei]], the first invasion in the [[Mongol invasions of Japan]]
* 1281: [[Battle of Kōan]], the second invasion in the Mongol invasions of Japan
* 1591: Construction of [[Nagoya, Saga|Nagoya Castle]]. After the [[Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598)|Japanese invasions of Korea]] the castle fell in 1598.
* 1602: Construction of [[Karatsu Castle]] and [[Saga Castle]].
* 1607: Control of [[Saga Domain]] moved from the [[Ryūzōji clan]] to the [[Nabeshima clan]].
* 1771: [[Nijinomatsubara]] Uprising
* 1781: Establishment of Kōdōkan, the Saga [[Han school]].
* 1828: Heavy damage from the [[Siebold typhoon]], deaths estimated at over 10,000.
* 1871, July 14: [[Abolition of the han system]]. All of the [[han (country subdivision)|han]] became [[Prefectures of Japan|prefectures]].
* 1871, November 14: The prefectures of Saga, Hasuike, Ogi, Kashima, Karatsu and part of Tsushima merged to form one prefecture, Imari Prefecture.
* 1872, May 29: Imari Prefecture renamed Saga Prefecture.
* 1874, February: [[Saga Rebellion]].{{sfnp|Nussbaum|Roth|2005|loc="Saga no ran", p. 804}}
* 1876, April 18: Incorporated into Mizuma Prefecture.
* 1876, May and June: Parts of Mizuma Prefecture transferred to [[Nagasaki Prefecture]].
* 1876, August 21: Mizuma Prefecture abolished. Remaining parts incorporated into Nagasaki Prefecture.
* 1883: Saga Prefecture re-established as an independent prefecture, separated from Nagasaki Prefecture.
* 1889, April 1: The city of [[Saga (city)|Saga]] is founded.
* 1891: The [[Kyushu Railroad]] Nagasaki Line opens, beginning with a section from [[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]] to Saga.
* 1895: Opening of railroad from Saga to [[Takeo, Saga|Takeo]].
* 1897: Opening of railroad from Takeo to Haiki.
* 1903: Opening of railroad from Saga to Nishi-Karatsu.
* 1932, January 1: The city of [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]] is founded.
* 1935: The [[Japanese National Railways]] Saga Line opens.
* 1954: During the [[Municipal mergers and dissolutions in Japan|Great Showa Merger]] the cities of Tosu, [[Imari, Saga|Imari]], Takeo, [[Kashima, Saga|Kashima]] and [[Taku, Saga|Taku]] are formed. At this point there are 7 cities, 8 districts, 18 towns and 35 villages in Saga Prefecture.
* 1972: With the closing of the Nishiki coal mine, all coal mines in Saga are closed.
* 1975: The [[Genkai Nuclear Power Plant]] begins operation.
* 1987: The Japanese National Railways Saga Line closes.
* 1992: The [[Yoshinogari site|Yoshinogari History Park]] opens to the public.
* 1998: The [[Saga Airport]] opens in [[Kawasoe, Saga|Kawasoe]], in what is now the city of Saga.
* 2005: As a part of the [[Municipal mergers and dissolutions in Japan|Great Heisei Merger]] various municipalities are reorganized.
** January 1: [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]] and [[Shiroishi, Saga|Shiroishi]].
** March 1: [[Ogi, Saga|Ogi]] and [[Miyaki, Saga|Miyaki]].
** October 1: [[Saga (city)|Saga]].
* 2006: The Great Heisei Merger continues.
** January 1: [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]] and [[Ureshino, Saga|Ureshino]].
** March 1: [[Takeo, Saga|Takeo]], [[Yoshinogari, Saga|Yoshinogari]], and [[Arita, Saga|Arita]].
** March 20: [[Kanzaki, Saga|Kanzaki]].
* 2007, October 1: The towns of [[Higashiyoka, Saga|Higashiyoka]], [[Kawasoe, Saga|Kawasoe]] and [[Kubota, Saga|Kubota]] merge with the city of Saga.
* 2011, March 12: The [[Kyushu Shinkansen]] opens.

==Geography==
[[Kyushu]]'s prefecture, Saga, is located on the northwest corner of the island, bordered by the [[Genkai Sea]] and the [[Tsushima Strait]] to the north and the [[Ariake Sea]] to the south. Saga's proximity to mainland Asia has made it an important gateway for the transmission of culture and trade throughout Japanese history. Largely rural outside of the two largest cities of [[Saga (city)|Saga]] and [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]], agricultural and forested lands comprise over 68% of the total prefectural land area. There are six prefectural parks and one quasi-national park in Saga.
* Northernmost point: Enuonohana, Kakarajima, [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]] – {{coord|33|36|N|129|51|E}}
* Easternmost point: Iida-machi, [[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]] – {{coord|33|23|N|130|32|E}}
* Southernmost point: Ōurakō, [[Tara, Saga|Tara]] – {{coord|32|57|N|130|13|E}}
* Westernmost point: Ōse, Madarashima, Karatsu – {{coord|33|34|N|129|44|E}}

===Geographical features===

====Plains====
*Saga Plains

====Mountains====
* Sefuri Mountains, Tara Mountains
* Mount Kyōga (1,076 m, the highest point in Saga), [[Mount Sefuri]] (1,056 m), Tenzan (1,046 m), Taradake (996 m), Mount Ihara (962 m), Kinzan (957 m), Raizan (955 m), Mount Hagane (900 m)

====Rivers and lakes====
* [[Chikugo River]] (15.5&nbsp;km in Saga), Kase River (57.5&nbsp;km), Matsuura River (45.3&nbsp;km), Rokkaku River (43.6&nbsp;km)
* Hokuzan Dam, Kase River Dam

====Seas====
* [[East China Sea]]: [[Ariake Sea]], Isahaya Bay
* [[Sea of Japan]]: [[Genkai Sea]], Karatsu Bay, Imari Bay,

====Peninsulas====
* Higashimatsuura Peninsula, part of Kitamatsuura Peninsula

====Islands====
* Genkai Sea: Takashima, Kashiwajima, Ogawajima, [[Kakarajima]], Matsushima, Madarajima, Kabeshima, Mukushima, Iroha Islands<ref name=info-center>{{cite web |title=The Saga Sightseeing Information: Nature |url=http://www.asobo-saga.jp/lang/english/nature.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908015550/http://www.asobo-saga.jp/lang/english/nature.html |archive-date=September 8, 2014 |publisher=Saga Tourist Federation Information Center (Tourism Division) |access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref>
* Ariake Sea: Okinoshima

====Forests====
* Niji-no-Matsubara<ref name=info-center/>

====Caves====
* Nanatsugama Caves<ref name=info-center/>

===Land use===
Total area: 2439.31&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* Forest, rough lands: 49.2% – 1/3 of the national average.
** Forested area: 1096.9&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> – From 2000, 42nd in the country.
* [[Arable land]]: 39.1% – 2 times the national average.
* [[Residential]]: 6.8% – 1.4 times the national average.
* Other: 4.9% – Roughly the same as the national average.

As of March 31, 2008, 11% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as [[List of national parks of Japan#History|Natural Parks]], namely the [[Genkai Quasi-National Park]] and [[Hachimandake Prefectural Natural Park|Hachimandake]], [[Kawakami-Kinryū Prefectural Natural Park|Kawakami-Kinryū]], [[Kurokamiyama Prefectural Natural Park|Kurokamiyama]], [[Sefuri-Kitayama Prefectural Natural Park|Sefuri-Kitayama]], [[Taradake Prefectural Natural Park (Saga)|Taradake]], and [[Tenzan Prefectural Natural Park|Tenzan]] Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |date=1 April 2014 |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)]] |access-date=4 February 2012}}</ref>

===Climate===
Saga Prefecture has a mild climate with an average temperature of about {{cvt|16|°C}}.

==Municipalities==
{{See also|List of cities in Saga Prefecture by population}}[[Image:Map of Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|thumb|250px|Map of Saga Prefecture showing municipal boundaries.<br />{{legend0|#EAB|City}} {{legend0|#ED9|Town}}]]
[[File:Saga cityscape from mount Kinryu.jpg|thumb|right|Saga City]]
[[File:100731 Central of Karatsu.jpg|thumb|right|Karatsu]]
[[File:Tara town center from west of Kamezaki.jpg|thumb|right|Tara Town]]
As of October 1, 2007, there are 10 [[Cities of Japan|cities]], six [[Districts of Japan|districts]], and 10 [[Towns of Japan|towns]] in Saga Prefecture, a total of 20 municipalities. As a part of the Great Heisei Merger, the number of municipalities has decreased since January 1, 2005. On March 20, 2006, the village of [[Sefuri, Saga|Sefuri]] merged with the city of [[Kanzaki, Saga|Kanzaki]], leaving Saga with no more villages.

===Cities===
Ten cities are located in Saga Prefecture:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
![[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Imari, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Imari, Saga|Imari]]
|伊万里市
|254.99
|54,907
|[[File:Imari in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kanzaki Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kanzaki, Saga|Kanzaki]]
|神埼市
|125.01
|31,981
|[[File:Kanzaki in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Karatsu, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]]
|唐津市
|487.59
|117,663
|[[File:Karatsu in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kashima, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kashima, Saga|Kashima]]
|鹿島市
|112.1
|30,159
|[[File:Kashima in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ogi, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ogi, Saga|Ogi]]
|小城市
|95.85
|45,638
|[[File:Ogi in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Saga, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Saga (city)|Saga]] (capital)
|佐賀市
|431.84
|232,736
|[[File:Saga in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Takeo, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Takeo, Saga|Takeo]]
|武雄市
|195.44
|48,845
|[[File:Takeo in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Taku, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Taku, Saga|Taku]]
|多久市
|96.93
|19,202
|[[File:Taku in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Tosu, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]]
|鳥栖市
|71.73
|72,755
|[[File:Tosu in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ureshino, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ureshino, Saga|Ureshino]]
|嬉野市
|126.51
|26,937
|[[File:Ureshino in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|}

===Towns===
These are the towns in each [[Districts of Japan|district]]:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |District
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
![[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Arita, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Arita, Saga|Arita]]
|有田町
|65.85
|18,989
|[[Nishimatsuura District, Saga|Nishimatsuura District]]
|[[File:Arita in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Genkai, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Genkai, Saga|Genkai]]
|玄海町
|36
|5,855
|[[Higashimatsuura District, Saga|Higashimatsuura District]]
|[[File:Genkai in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kamimine Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kamimine, Saga|Kamimine]]
|上峰町
|12.79
|9,589
|[[Miyaki District, Saga|Miyaki District]]
|[[File:Kamimine in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kiyama, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kiyama, Saga|Kiyama]]
|基山町
|22.12
|17,398
|[[Miyaki District, Saga|Miyaki District]]
|[[File:Kiyama in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kohoku, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kōhoku, Saga|Kōhoku]]
|江北町
|24.48
|9,524
|[[Kishima District, Saga|Kishima District]]
|[[File:Kohoku in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Miyaki, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Miyaki, Saga|Miyaki]]
|みやき町
|51.89
|25,534
|[[Miyaki District, Saga|Miyaki District]]
|[[File:Miyaki in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Omachi, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōmachi, Saga|Ōmachi]]
|大町町
|11.46
|6,680
|[[Kishima District, Saga|Kishima District]]
|[[File:Omachi in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Shiroishi, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Shiroishi, Saga|Shiroishi]]
|白石町
|99.46
|23,606
|[[Kishima District, Saga|Kishima District]]
|[[File:Shiroishi in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Tara, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tara, Saga|Tara]]
|太良町
|74.2
|9,125
|[[Fujitsu District, Saga|Fujitsu District]]
|[[File:Tara in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yoshinogari, Saga.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yoshinogari, Saga|Yoshinogari]]
|吉野ヶ里町
|43.94
|16,117
|[[Kanzaki District, Saga|Kanzaki District]]
|[[File:Yoshinogari in Saga Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|57x57px]]
|}

=== Mergers ===
{{main|List of mergers in Saga Prefecture}}

===Metropolitan areas===
*Karatsu-Higashimatsuura
**Karatsu, Genkai
*Kitō
**Takeo, Kashima, Ureshino, Shiroishi, Ōmachi, Kōhoku, Tara
*Saga
**Saga, Taku, Ogi, Kanzaki
*Tosu
**Tosu, Kamimine, Kiyama, Yoshinogari, Miyaki

==Economy==
Agriculture, [[forestry]], and coastal [[fisheries]] form a large portion of the prefectural economy. Regional agricultural specialties include Saga beef, onions, and strawberries. The prefecture is the largest producer of [[mochigome]] (sticky rice) and [[greenhouse]] [[mandarin orange]]s in Japan.

According to 2002 figures, regional trade exports are focused primarily towards North America (29.3%), Western Europe (26.1%), and the Newly Industrializing Economies of [[South Korea]], Taiwan, Hong Kong and [[Singapore]] (19.9%). Imports come principally from North America (40.6%), the [[ASEAN]] nations (23.3%), and the People's Republic of China (12.2%).

==Demographics==
[[File:Saga prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|Saga prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
In 2002, the census recorded a population of 873,885 in Saga. Of these, 15.9% were aged 0–14, 62.7% were aged 15–64, and 21.4% were over 65 years old. There were 3,596 foreigners (0.4%) and 307 exchange students (0.03%) living in the prefecture.

==Education==
===Universities===
{{directory|section|date=October 2020}}
*[[Kyushu Ryukoku Junior College]]
*[[Nishikyushu University]]
*[[Nishikyushu University Junior College]] (former Saga Junior College)
*[[Saga Prefectural Agricultural College]]
*[[Saga University]]
*[[Saga Women's Junior College]]

==Transportation==
{{directory|section|date=October 2020}}

===Air===
*[[Saga Airport]]

===Rail===
Major stations in the prefecture include [[Saga Station]], [[Tosu Station]], [[Karatsu Station]] and [[Imari Station]]. The new [[Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen]] line stops at the [[Takeo-Onsen Station]].
*[[JR Kyushu]]
**[[Chikuhi Line]]
**[[Kagoshima Main Line]]
**[[Karatsu Line]]
**[[Kyushu Shinkansen]]
**[[Nagasaki Main Line]]
**[[Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen]]
**[[Sasebo Line]]
*[[Matsuura Railway]]
**[[Nishi-Kyūshū Line]]
*[[Amagi Railway]]
**[[Amagi Railway Amagi Line|Amagi Line]]

===Road===
*[[National highways of Japan|National highways]]
**[[Japan National Route 34|Route 34]], [[Japan National Route 35|Route 35]]
**[[Japan National Route 202|Route 202]], [[Japan National Route 203|Route 203]], [[Japan National Route 204|Route 204]], [[Japan National Route 207|Route 207]], [[Japan National Route 263|Route 263]], [[Japan National Route 264|Route 264]], [[Japan National Route 323|Route 323]], [[Japan National Route 385|Route 385]], [[Japan National Route 444|Route 444]], [[Japan National Route 498|Route 498]]
*[[Tollway]]s
**[[Nagasaki Expressway]], [[Kyushu Expressway]], [[Nishi-Kyūshū Expressway]]
**[[Nijō-Hamatama Road]], [[Kyūragi-Taku Road]], [[Mitsuse Tunnel]]

==Culture==
[[Arita, Saga|Arita]], [[Imari, Saga|Imari]] and [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu]] are famous for the porcelain that is created there. The top porcelain houses in the country are located in these areas, including [[Imaemon Porcelain]], [[Genemon Porcelain]] and [[Fukagawa Porcelain]].

==Language==
Saga-ben ([[Saga dialect]]) is Saga's own variation of Japanese.

==Festivals==

===Balloon Fiesta===
The [[Saga International Balloon Fiesta]] is held at the beginning of November every year just outside [[Saga (city)|Saga City]] along the Kase River. This is a popular event and attracts competitors from all over the world.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

===Karatsu Kunchi===
The [[Karatsu Kunchi]] is held at the beginning of November in [[Karatsu, Saga|Karatsu City]]. This is Saga's largest festival and attracts around 500,000 visitors every year.

===Kashima Gatalympics===
The [[Kashima Gatalympics]] are held every May–June in the city of [[Kashima, Saga|Kashima]]. This event involves playing a variety of sports in the mudflats of the Ariake Sea. The Gatalympics are not held if the weather is raining.

===Imari Ton-Ten-Ton Festival===
The [[Imari Ton-Ten-Ton Festival]] is held for 3 days every year near the end of October. Located in [[Imari, Saga|Imari City]], the festival is one of the three great fighting festivals in Japan. In the festival a crashing battle takes place between the two huge portable shrines, the Ara-mikoshi and the [[Matsuri float|Danjiri]]. The name "Ton-Ten-Ton" represents the sound of drums used in the festival.

==Sports==
[[File:Tosu Stadium 20110508.JPG|thumb|[[Ekimae Real Estate Stadium]] in [[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]].]]

===Sports teams===
Teams listed below are based in Saga Prefecture.

Football (soccer)
*[[Sagan Tosu]] ([[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]])

Volleyball
*[[Hisamitsu Springs]] ([[Tosu, Saga|Tosu]])

Basketball
*[[Saga Ballooners]] ([[Saga (city)|Saga]])

Baseball
*[[Saga Indonesia Dreams]] ([[Takeo, Saga|Takeo]])

==Tourism==

Karatsu, with its fine [[Karatsu Castle|castle]], is a tourist destination in Saga. The remains of a [[Yayoi]] village in [[Yoshinogari, Saga|Yoshinogari]] also attract large numbers of sightseers. Another place to visit is [[Yūtoku Inari Shrine]], one of Japan's three biggest Inari shrines.

The Saga prefecture helped sponsor the 2018 [[anime]] ''[[Zombie Land Saga]]'', which has attracted tourists to various locations showcased in the series, including the museum that doubles in the series as the girls' house and Drive-In Tori Chicken.

==Notable people==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2014}}
* Comedian and [[J-pop]] singer [[Hanawa]] became famous for comically singing about Saga Prefecture and its oddities.
* Former TV personality [[Masashi Tashiro]] was born in Saga Prefecture.
* World War II fighter ace [[Saburō Sakai]] was born in Saga Prefecture.
* Actress and J-pop singer [[Yasuko Matsuyuki]] and her younger brother, J-pop/rock singer [[Yuna Katsuki]] (of Lazy Knack and Red), are from Saga city.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://flare.sugizolove.com/yuna.html |title=Yuna |publisher=Love Flare |date=2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327143011/http://flare.sugizolove.com/yuna.html |archive-date=March 27, 2012 |access-date=June 10, 2015}}</ref>

===The Seven Wise Men of Saga===
"The Seven Wise Men of Saga" is the name given to these seven men from Saga, each of whom have made a significant contribution to the modernisation of Japan. Their contributions began in the last days of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], and continued into the [[Meiji Restoration]]. Even today, this era shines impressively in Saga's history.

* [[Nabeshima Naomasa|Lord Naomasa Nabeshima]], feudal lord of the [[Nabeshima clan]], helped to bring about the development of Saga through introducing European technology and culture.
* [[Etō Shinpei]], also once a Minister of Legal Affairs, became a Diet member and created the foundation for Japan's judicial system.
* [[Ōkuma Shigenobu]] served two terms as [[Prime Minister of Japan]]. He also established [[Waseda University]].
* [[Ōki Takatō]] was Minister of Civil Affairs, Education and Legal Affairs, held the position of a Diet member and made considerable contributions to the establishment of the modern education system in Japan.
* [[Soejima Taneomi]] served the roles of [[Diet of Japan|Diet]] member, Foreign Minister, Minister of Domestic Affairs and was well known for his Chinese Poetry and talented writing skills.
* [[Sano Tsunetami]] founded the [[Japanese Red Cross]].
* [[Shima Yoshitake]] contributed to the exploration of [[Hokkaido]].

==See also==
* [[Saga Domain]]
* [[Saga Rebellion]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{Cite book |last1=Nussbaum |first1=Louis-Frédéric |author-link1=Louis Frédéric |first2=Käthe |last2=Roth |year=2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC |title=Japan Encyclopedia |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-01753-5 |oclc=58053128 |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA780 780], [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA804 804] }}
* {{Cite web |title=Welcome to Saga |publisher=International Exchange Division, General Affairs Department |location=Saga Prefecture}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Saga prefecture}}
* [https://www.city.saga.lg.jp/ Saga City website] {{in lang|ja}} google translate available
* [https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/ Saga Prefecture website] {{in lang|ja}} Translation available
* [http://www.sagajet.com/ SagaJET website]
* [http://www.hyoho.com/Hagakure1.html Hagakure]
* [[Hagakure]] 1716 by [[Yamamoto Tsunetomo]] about [[Bushido|Bushidō]] (Samurai Moral Code) at Wikipedia

{{Saga Prefecture}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Saga Prefecture| ]]
[[Category:Kyushu region]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Japan]]