Tokyo Weekender - October 2017

[ PROMOTION ]
YOU’LL NEED TO BRAVE A STEEP STAIRWAY TO
REACH THE TOP, BUT THE FEELING OF BEING INSIDE A
PICTURESQUE OIL PAINTING IS WORTH THE EFFORT
SAGA BEEF
Known for being one of the best wagyu beef
brands in Japan, Saga Beef benefits from the
prefecture’s mild climate, pure water, and
clean air. The Japanese Black cows are raised
using expert breeding techniques, ensuring
they do not experience any major stress. To
taste this deliciously sweet and rich marbled
beef, we recommend Kira, a renowned
restaurant in central Saga that’s run by Japan
Agricultural Cooperatives. We stopped by for
lunch and ordered thin strips of Saga gyu,
which we cooked ourselves on the iron plate
grill in the center of the table, served with a
large bowl of vegetables, salad, miso soup,
rice, and pickles. Undoubtedly one of the most
succulent beef dishes we’ve ever tasted. You
can also order it as steak, or take a seat at the
teppanyaki counter to watch the chef at work.
(If you can’t make it all the way to Saga, note
they also have a branch in Ginza, Tokyo.) 3-9-
16 Otakara, Saga-shi, Saga. kira.saga-ja.jp/en
IKIZUKURI SQUID
Of course Japan in its entirety is famed for having the freshest, most delicious seafood, but if you
want to experience local cuisine at its source, it’s best to visit a port town and try their speciality.
In Saga, there’s one such city called Karatsu, which is famed for its port area called Yobuko. Here
you should order ikizukuri – live squid that’s so live it squirms on your plate. Early risers will
enjoy visiting the Yobuko Morning Market, where you can opt for dried squid should the live
version be a tad too much for you. This market dates back to the early 1900s, and is considered
one of the three biggest fish markets of Japan.
KARATSU KUNCHI FESTIVAL
This autumn matsuri is held at Karatsu Shrine
and is one of Kyushu’s major festivals, dating
back about 400 years and attracting 500,000
visitors. What makes this festival particularly
interesting is its unique hikiyama (giant floats).
The first in the series of 14 was made by a
woodcarving craftsman in 1819 and is called
Akajishi (Red Lion float). The other 13 were all
produced over the next 60 years, and feature
awe-inspiring designs – probably the most
unusual one is The Red Snapper, which literally
looks like a fish and is meant to represent the
fish markets from the old days. The floats each
weigh two to five tons, and measure 4.5 to 6.8
meters in height. If you can’t make it in time to
see the floats being hauled along the street, or
through the sand on Nishinohama Beach, you
can still see them on display at the Hikiyama
Exhibition Hall (6-33 Nishi-Jonai, Karatsu-shi,
Saga). November 2-4, beginning at Karatsu
Shrine, 3-13 Minami-Jonai, Karatsu-shi, Saga.
SAGA INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA
Held annually at the beginning of November, along the Kase River, this international hot air
balloon competition is the largest of its kind in Asia. Boasting over 800,000 visitors every year,
the event sees around 100 colorful balloons gathering and taking flight before landing several
kilometers away from the fiesta grounds. There are competitive flights, which are held twice a
day; the official balloons, which fly just before the main competition begins; and the Fantasia
balloons, which are shaped to look like animals and cartoon characters, and are inflated every
morning although they don’t actually lift off the ground. November 1-5, 2017. www.sibf.jp/en
TOKYO WEEKENDER | OCTOBER 2017 | 23