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When you think of Saga, you probably think of frosty snowflakes, melt-in-your-mouth Saga beef, and Yutoku Inari Shrine, one of Japan's three major Inari shrines. In fact, there are many other great places to visit in Saga. For those who have limited time and want to take a day trip, I recommend Takeo Onsen in Saga near Fukuoka.
This time, I will take you to Takeo Onsen station for a walk.
🤗 While admiring the vermillion doors of the building, take a dip in Saga's ancient hot spring.
Takeo Onsen (たけおおんせん) is an ancient hot spring recorded in the 1300 year old Japanese history book, “Hizen Kokyo Koutouji (Records of the Customs and Lands of Hizen Country)”.
It is said that Empress Shinkong, Date Masamune and Miyamoto Musashi all used to come here to take a bath. Since the construction of the gate, the Chinese-style vermillion-colored gate has become the symbol of Takeo Onsen, and even if you don't take a bath here, you should take a photo here as a souvenir. The gate was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, an architect from Saga Prefecture who was involved in the design of Tokyo Station, so you can imagine the importance Saga people attached to this hot spring at that time.
Designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2005, the Takeo Onsen Building Gate New Building is located at the back of the Takeo Onsen Building Gate and was also designed by Kingo Tatsuno.
The new building, which was restored in 2003 to its early Taisho era splendor, is open to the public free of charge and includes not only a hot spring bath but also the Takeo Onsen Museum, a souvenir store, and a pottery experience.
There are three popular hot spring pools, including the nostalgic Genroku Yu, Hourai Yu, and Heronai Yu, so if you are on a budget and don't want to stay in a hot spring hotel, you can experience the authentic beauty of the hot spring. Couples, couples, and those with small children can also choose from the tonkotsu type of hot springs, such as Tenno-yu, Ieyo-yu, and Shanksaki-tei. Takeo Onsen/Tenko-Yu, pictured above, is made of marble and was originally the exclusive bath of the Nabeshima clan, the lords of Takeo in the Edo period, but is now open to the public as a yukata (hot spring house) at a cost of 4,300 yen for one hour of use.
The building's gate, which is limited to one hour per day (closed on Tuesdays), is unique in that it uses the same bright colors as Ryugujo Castle, but is also unique in that it is constructed without the use of a single nail, and four of the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac are visible in the four corners of the second-floor ceiling of the building's gate (as seen in the photo above). It is said that eight of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs were found on the north and south domes of Tokyo Station, designed by Kingo Tatsuno, which were restored in 2012, and at the time everyone wondered where the remaining four had gone. It took a few years to realize that they were on the ceiling of the second floor of the Takeo Onsen Building Gate, which was once a hot topic in Japan.
Takeo Onsen Building Gate / Takeo Onsen New Building
Address: 7425 Takeo, Takeo-machi, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture
Access: 15-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Takeo Onsen Station
Hours: Bath 10:00 - 18:00 / Building Gate 9:00 - 10:00 ※Closed on Tuesdays
Fee: 500 yen for the bath (3 years old to elementary school students: 250 yen)
Website: http://www.takeo-kk.net/spa/
🤗 Saga Beef Bento certified by Kyushu Railway Bento Awards
Saga Beef Sukiyaki Bento (Saga Beef Sukiyaki Bento)/1,620 yen
The Kyushu Railway Bento Contest is held every year in Japan and attracts more than 50 bentos from all over Kyushu, with the Saga Beef Sukiyaki Bento being the most recommended one, which has won many awards in a row. This Saga Beef Bento is made at KAIRO-do, a cafe at Takeo Onsen Station, and was developed by owner Taizo Ikeda and his staff. A5 grade Saga Beef is made into Beef Sukiyaki, which is served on top of a bed of Qi-Flavorful rice, making it a very tasty treat.
The Saga beef steak and yakiniku bento (Saga beef steak and yakiniku bento), priced at 2,484 yen, features thickly sliced, juicy, tender Saga beef steak and yakiniku cooked in a homemade sauce, providing a flavorful taste that amazes and touches with every bite. Please note that the number of take-out lunches is limited, so if time permits, it is best to come early and enjoy your meal inside the restaurant.
Kairodo (カイロ堂)
Address: 8249-4 Tomioka, Oaza, Takeo-machi, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture
Access: Inside JR Takeo Onsen Station
Hours: 9:00-18:00
🤗 Takeo Shrine, a healing energy spot
After eating the delicious Saga Beef Railway Bento, why not take a 20-minute walk to Takeo Shrine?
Takeo Shrine, which guards the entire city of Takeo, is the oldest shrine in the city. It is said that the pure white shrine was built in 735 A.D. and is dedicated to Takeuchi Jounei, who is said to have been a minister to the 12th to 16th emperors, and who, at the age of 360, has become a symbol of longevity.
Within the grounds of Takeo Shrine, there is also an approximately 3,000-year-old large nanmoku tree, which has become an energy spot in the hearts of Saga people because of its unique aura in the neighborhood, and the exceptionally fresh air in the area attracts many tourists to visit.
Takeo Shrine
Address: 5335 Oaza Takeo, Takeo-machi, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture
Access: Approx. 20 minutes on foot from JR Takeo Onsen Station and approx. 5 minutes on foot from Takeo City Library.
Official website: http://takeo-jinjya.jp/
🤗 Literary Spot Takeo City Library
You didn't realize that libraries could be attractions, did you?
The Takeo City Library, operated jointly with Niaoya Bookstore, combines the functions of a library, a bookstore, a DVD rental store, and a coffee shop, and with such an efficient use of resources, it has increased the willingness of many citizens to use the library, and has even boosted local tourism. (For reference, there are about 50,000 permanent residents in the area).
Niaoya Bookstore has injected a stylish sense of design into the library décor, making it more modern and fashionable. At the same time, the opening hours have been moderately extended. You are welcome to visit the library until 9pm. Please be reminded to be quiet when visiting and that photography is not permitted inside the library.
Takeo City Library's 1st floor is Starbucks Coffee and Niaoya Bookstore, buy a cup of coffee and find a favorite magazine, find a corner to sit quietly as a literary youth; if you are interested in the Japanese library system, you can also go to the 2nd floor to observe and appreciate, spend a full and leisurely afternoon.
Takeo City Library
Address: 5304-1 Oaza Takeo, Takeo-machi, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture
Access: 15-minute walk from JR Takeo Onsen Station
Hours: 9:00-21:00
Official website: https://takeo.city-library.jp/
The area around Takeo Onsen Station has a high concentration of sightseeing spots that can be easily accessed by walking, so if you are visiting Saga for the first time and don't plan to drive, you may want to stay at a hot spring inn at Takeo Onsen Station for a night and enjoy the healing effects of the beautiful hot spring water. In addition, if you come in summer or fall, you can take a bus to the nearby Gobunzan Paradise to enjoy the juniper and maple leaves!
- Author:japan guides
- URL:https://japan-guides.com/article/culture-54
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