Kiryū(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Tosu City, the Tosu Grand Hotel stands out for its blend of modern comfort and traditional Japanese aesthetics, located near the Tosu Shrine and Old Tosu Station. The hotel offers free shuttle services to major attractions and features a signature onsen bath with natural hot spring water. Another gem is Ryokan Chiyahana, a century-old inn preserving Edo-era wooden architecture, where guests can experience authentic Saga Prefecture hospitality through kaiseki dining and seasonal tea ceremonies. Both offer immersive cultural experiences in a serene urban setting.

The central Tosu district is ideal for lodging, situated just steps from Tosu Station and the Saga Express Line, providing easy access to Tosu Shrine, Old Tosu Station, and Tosu City Museum. This vibrant area hosts mid-to-luxury hotels like Hotel Marie and APA Hotel & Resort Tosu, offering excellent amenities and proximity to local restaurants serving Tosu soba and mizutaki stew. Strolling along Higashi River Street at night reveals charming lantern-lit alleys and bustling street food stalls, perfect for experiencing Saga Prefecture's lively local culture.

Visitors to Tosu City can participate in Tosu textile workshops, learning to weave intricate patterns using traditional looms, a craft passed down for generations. The annual Tosu Festival (Tosu Matsuri) illuminates the city with thousands of lanterns during summer, one of Japan’s three great night festivals. Guests may also explore Old Tosu Station, a preserved Meiji-era railway building now housing historical exhibits, or visit Tosu Shrine to partake in Shinto rituals, deeply rooted in Saga Prefecture’s spiritual heritage.

While Tosu City isn’t known as a hot spring destination, Yumoto Onsen Ryokan offers a rare natural hot spring experience with soft alkaline carbonate water, renowned for skin rejuvenation. The inn features an open-air bath overlooking the Higashi River and a tranquil Japanese garden. Nearby, APA Hotel & Resort Tosu includes an indoor onsen pool, ideal for families. Combine your stay with a hike up Mount Mifune and relax afterward—perfect for unwinding in nature's embrace.

For families, APA Hotel & Resort Tosu provides spacious family rooms, a kids’ playroom, and complimentary breakfast, just a 10-minute walk from Tosu City Zoo. Hotel Marie also offers family suites, baby cots, and nearby access to parks like Mizugami Park, where children can enjoy outdoor activities and local fruit picking. With easy access to public transport and child-friendly dining options such as Soba no Sato, it’s an ideal base for exploring Saga Prefecture’s welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere.

Key landmarks include Tosu Shrine, a historic Shinto site dating back to the 8th century, featuring striking vermilion torii gates and ancient camphor trees. Adjacent is Old Tosu Station, a beautifully preserved Meiji-era railway building now functioning as a cultural museum. The Higashi River Street district retains original wooden shops and stone-paved alleys, perfect for leisurely walks. These sites not only reflect Saga Prefecture's deep history but also serve as central venues for festivals like Tosu Matsuri and Tosu Summer Festival.

Must-try dishes in Tosu City include Tosu soba, made with locally grown buckwheat, served chilled with savory dipping sauce or warm broth. Mizutaki, a regional chicken hot pot simmered in clear dashi broth, is especially popular in winter. Don’t miss Kurogane rice cakes, sweet treats filled with red bean paste, often enjoyed during festivals. Sample these at century-old eateries like Soba no Sato or Mizugami Restaurant, where you’ll savor authentic Saga Prefecture flavors rooted in tradition and local ingredients.

Photography enthusiasts should visit Old Tosu Station, with its red-brick façade and arched windows creating dramatic silhouettes, especially at golden hour. The Tosu Shrine’s vermilion torii gate framed by centuries-old camphor trees offers striking contrast and depth. The Higashi River Street alleyways with lantern-lit wooden storefronts and the quiet banks of the Higashi River provide peaceful compositions. During Tosu Festival, the sea of lanterns creates a magical long-exposure scene—ideal for capturing the soulful beauty of Saga Prefecture.

Tosu Grand Hotel offers private honeymoon suites with open-air onsen baths and panoramic views of the Higashi River. Some rooms feature traditional tatami tea spaces for intimate moments. Alternatively, Ryokan Chiyahana provides secluded ryokan-style rooms with personalized service, including candlelit dinners and optional geisha performances (by reservation). Couples can stroll hand-in-hand through Tosu Shrine grounds or enjoy a quiet evening at Higashi River Street, immersing themselves in the quiet romance of Saga Prefecture.

Tosu City boasts excellent connectivity via Tosu Station, a key junction for both Saga Express Line and JR Kyushu, linking directly to Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Tokyo (via limited express trains). Free shuttle buses connect major attractions like Tosu Shrine, Old Tosu Station, and Tosu City Museum. For drivers, the Kyushu Expressway has a direct exit into the city center. Travelers can maximize convenience with the Saga Prefecture Tourism Pass, which grants unlimited rides on local trains and buses, plus discounts at museums and restaurants.