Takeo

Takeo (武雄市) is a city of 49,000 people (2016) in Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Mifuneyama Rakuen Garden

Understand

Takeo and its hot springs have existed for over a thousand years.

Tourist information site

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Get in

Takeo is approximately 28 km (17 mi) west of Saga City and approximately 30 km (19 mi) east of Sasebo.

Takeo Onsen Station is the eastern terminus for the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen. From Nagasaki, the Shinkansen is the fastest way to reach Takeo Onsen Station. The eventual plan is to connect it to Hakata Station however, until then, Limited Express Trains are the fastest way to get here from Hakata Station. There are also Limited Express Trains from Sasebo.

Get around

Takeo is not completely walkable; buses run from Takeoonsen Station.

See

Great Camphor Tree of Takeo Shrine

• 1 Takeo Shrine (武雄神社), 5327 Takeo-cho, ☏ +81 954-22-2976. daily 9AM-noon, 1PM-5PM. The shrine is home to The Great Camphor Tree, a 3000-year-old tree sacred tree. It is known as a "power spot" and must be seen to be believed. (updated Jun 2024)

• 2 Mifuneyama Rakuen Garden (御船山楽園), 4100 Takeo-cho. 8AM-5PM daily. An expansive garden constructed by the local lord Shigeyoshi Nabeshima in 1845 below Mount Mifune. (updated Jun 2024)

• 3 Saga Prefecture Science and Space Museum (佐賀県立宇宙科学館), 16351 Takeo-cho (a 10-minute taxi ride from the station), ☏ +81 954-20-1666. 9:15AM-5:15PM daily. Promises science fun for the whole family. (updated Jun 2024)

Do

Takeo Onsen

Do some reading, enjoy a coffee, or update your blog at the Takeo Epochal Library, the first library in the world to have a public-private partnership with a large music store chain. Check out the Starbucks inside!

Don't forget Takeo Onsen, the ancient hot springs. It is within walking distance of the station and the nightclubs, and you can sleep here if you like. There are three hot springs to choose from.

Eat

Eat with the locals at Gyoza Kaikan, 5 minutes from Takeo Station. The gyoza and ramen here are cheap "B-class gourmet," but they're well-known in the area and the atmosphere is always lively.

Drink

Directly to the west of the station is a street of bars and nightclubs. The American hamburger restaurant there closes at midnight.

Go next

• Ureshino
• Arita
• Imari
• Kashima
• Karatsu
• Saga
• Hasami
• Sasebo
• Nagasaki

Routes through Takeo

Nagasaki ← Ureshino ←

W  E

→ Taku → Tosu