Saga prefecture sits in the northern half of Kyushu, sandwiched between bustling Fukuoka and historic Nagasaki. From the wild north coast to the porcelain towns of western Saga to the sake brewing districts of the southern Kashima region, this compact prefecture offers a host of hidden delights.

The Saga Prefectural Government kindly offered to host me on a three-day discovery of their region and I'm met at Saga station by spokesperson Yoshiki Sonoda. While it's quite easy for Kyushu residents to access Saga by public transportation, those coming from further afield, such as Haneda and Narita airports, can fly directly into Ariake Saga Airport. A one-way ticket from Narita to Saga airport can be very reasonable, with the lowest being ¥5,700. Furthermore, until March 31, 2015, travelers can rent a car at the airport for a special price, ¥1,000, for two days.

We fuel up for our trip at Kira Honten, a Michelin-starred establishment in Saga City serving Grade A5 Saga beef. The meat, which I cook on a griddle at my own table, is succulent and juicy, and the price is quite affordable for such top-quality fare.