“From Saga, With Love” is a Malaysian romantic comedy series following four Malaysian main characters as they navigate love and life in Saga Prefecture. This compelling drama has brought Saga’s captivating beauty to international eyes, showcasing its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and the genuine warmth of its people, igniting an unprecedented Saga tourism boom from Malaysia. In this article, we’ll take you to the iconic filming locations where the series’ most memorable scenes unfold, along with additional must-see destinations that capture the same spirit portrayed on screen. Ready to experience Saga’s irresistible blend of natural beauty and heartfelt charm through the lens of this beloved drama?
“From Saga, With Love” is a charming romantic comedy directed by Umi Salwana Omar, following a group of Malaysian men and women on their adventures in Japan. Shot entirely in Saga Prefecture in 2023, this delightful series became a cultural phenomenon when it premiered on Southeast Asian streaming platform “Viu” in September 2023, claiming the top spot for two consecutive months. The show’s success earned it Malaysian representation in both the Best Comedy Programme and Best Actor/Actress in a Comedy Role categories at the prestigious AACA (Asian Academy Creative Awards), which celebrates creative excellence across 17 Asia-Pacific nations. Following this triumph, Season 2 was released in Malaysia in 2024.
Karma, who always seems to have her head up in the clouds, stumbles into an opportunity to travel to Saga, Japan, alongside actress-influencer Bianca and her photographer boyfriend Bob. Despite speaking no Japanese, Karma fabricates credentials as a guide to secure her spot on the trip. Along the way, she meets Sham, a fellow Malaysian learning traditional Japanese pottery craft, and from there, the quartet embarks on a transformative journey where cultural boundaries blur in unexpected ways.
The distinguished Arita pottery studio “Noritou Kiln” serves as the atmospheric backdrop for Sham’s master’s workshop and home throughout the series. The kiln’s adjoining gallery showcases exquisite pieces crafted with their signature “rihaku glaze” – a proprietary blend incorporating local minerals and mandarin orange ash. These elegant white ceramics, with their distinctively soft and calming finish, seamlessly transition from art pieces to everyday treasures. Eagle-eyed fans will spot autographs from the cast and crew displayed throughout the gallery!
On weekends (Friday through Sunday), the on-site soba restaurant offers an authentic culinary experience featuring fragrant hand-pulled soba noodles made exclusively from stone-ground buckwheat flour. Each bowl, served in the kiln’s own handcrafted ceramics, delivers perfect texture and nuanced flavor. Experience how the same hands that shape clay also create culinary magic with buckwheat!
©Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Karatsu Castle stands as a testament to the vision of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the legendary warlord who unified Japan. Construction of this majestic fortress started in 1602 by one of Hideyoshi’s loyal retainers, requiring seven years to complete. While the current five-story keep was reconstructed in 1966, it maintains the castle’s commanding presence overlooking the azure waters of the Genkai Sea and the renowned pine forest of Niji no Matsubara.
The castle’s most striking feature lies in its dramatic silhouette. Pine groves gracefully extending east and west from the main tower create the illusion of a crane spreading its wings in flight, inspiring the nickname “Maizuru Castle” (Dancing Crane Castle). The surrounding Maizuru Park transforms into a spectacular floral showcase throughout spring – late March brings cascades of delicate cherry blossoms, while late April unveils magnificent purple wisteria clusters that drape the landscape in royal splendor.
©Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Spanning approximately one hectare, Keishu-en represents the absolute pinnacle of Japanese landscape garden artistry. This masterpiece was crafted by Nakane Kinsaku, whose visionary work graces internationally acclaimed sites including the world-renowned Adachi Museum of Art and Boston Museum of Fine Arts gardens. The design ingeniously incorporates the distant silhouettes of Mount Mifune and Saga’s tea plantations as “borrowed scenery” – a classical technique that seamlessly blends the cultivated garden with the natural horizon – along with nearly 2,000 tons of carefully selected natural stones, from which crystal-clear streams emerge. The resulting scenery remains in the heart long after visitors depart.
Throughout the seasons, Keishu-en unveils different facets of its beauty – vibrant azaleas paint the landscape in spring pastels, while autumn transforms the garden into a tapestry of fiery maples and golden leaves. This ever-changing natural theater provided the perfect backdrop for one of the drama’s most memorable scenes, where the protagonists savor traditional sencha tea surrounded by this living work of art.
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Ureshino tea stands among Japan’s most celebrated tea varieties, with its cultivation tracing back to around 1650. The terraced plantations that cascade across Ureshino’s hillsides have slowly become the region’s most iconic vista. What sets Ureshino tea apart is its distinctive rounded leaf shape and remarkably intense aroma and umami-rich flavor profile. These picturesque tea fields provided the stunning backdrop for the scene where Bianca, resplendent in traditional kimono, enjoys a tranquil tea ceremony surrounded by nature’s bounty.
While filming took place during the month of June, the optimal time for visitors to experience Ureshino’s tea culture is during the prime harvest season from late April to early May. During this magical period, the plantations come alive with vibrant new growth. Visitors can even participate in traditional tea-picking during this time!
Nestled deep within verdant mountain valleys, Okawachiyama stands as the revered “Village of the Secret Kilns,” a sanctuary of ceramic artistry. This secluded haven once served as the exclusive domain of the Nabeshima clan’s official pottery workshops, and today approximately 30 traditional kilns continue to safeguard centuries-old craftsmanship with unwavering dedication. Visitors can immerse themselves in this living history through the preserved checkpoint ruins, ancient climbing kiln remains, and the educational exhibits at Nabeshima Domain Kiln Park.
Another enchanting spot to visit while you’re at the village is the Meotoshi Tower which creates a symphony of gentle melodies as hundreds of delicate Imari-style wind chimes dance in the mountain breeze – a soul-stirring experience that captures the village’s serene spiritual essence. The year 2025 marks a momentous milestone as Okawachiyama celebrates 350 years of continuous pottery tradition. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular calendar of seasonal festivities: the vibrant Spring Kiln Market (April 29–May 5), the melodious Summer Wind Chime Festival (mid-June through August 31), and the grand Autumn Nabeshima Clan Kiln Festival (November 1–5).
Perched at Kyushu’s northwestern extremity, Hado Cape ranks among Saga Prefecture’s most magnificent sunset viewing destinations. As the sun begins its descent toward the horizon, the surrounding seascape transforms into a breathtaking, contrasting canvas where sunset waters create dramatic silhouettes against distant islands. This stunning location plays a pivotal role in Season 2.
The cape’s specialty shops offer freshly caught sazae (turban shells) prepared as “tsuboyaki” – expertly grilled over charcoal by seasoned local vendors. Just a scenic 15-minute drive away, food enthusiasts can also discover “Manbou Yobuko Main Store,” the birthplace of Yobuko’s renowned “ika shumai” (squid dumplings).
©Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
During the Edo period (1603-1868), precious sugar was imported through Nagasaki’s Dejima trading post and along the historic Nagasaki Kaido highway that connected Nagasaki with Kokura. The town of Ogi, positioned along this vital trade route, not only received these exotic sweeteners but also absorbed the confectionery techniques that accompanied them, eventually earning its enduring reputation as “the town of yokan.”
Despite its modest population of around 50,000 residents, Ogi maintains an extraordinary concentration of over 20 traditional yokan shops today. The celebrated “Ogi Yokan” captivates with its rich azuki bean essence and satisfying crunch of the outer layer, attracting fans thanks to its sophisticated and time-enduring flavor.
©Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
To fully appreciate this confectionery heritage, visit the enchanting Muraoka Sohonpo Yokan Museum, housed within a beautifully preserved 1941 brick sugar warehouse converted into an elegant Western-style pavilion. Through immersive video presentations, authentic manufacturing implements, and rare historical documents, visitors can discover the profound cultural significance and artisanal mastery behind Japan’s beloved sweet treats.
©Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Complete your cultural journey at the adjacent store, where you can select from an array of exquisite yokan varieties to take home as edible souvenirs.
©Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Located right beside the Ariake Sea, Roadside Rest Area Kashima offers a unique activity where visitors can walk directly on mudflats. These nutrient-rich flats are home to diverse marine life found only in the Ariake Sea. The Mudflats Community Center provides telescopic views of the entire area, making it a popular family-friendly nature destination.
©Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
The market “Senjaichi” features an impressive selection of local vegetables, fresh seafood, bento boxes, and sweets. The shop also stocks many processed products made from Ariake Sea specialties, perfect as travel souvenirs.
Roadside Rest Area Kashima will appear in Season 2, so be sure to watch for it!
©Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Legend tells that approximately 300 years ago, a stranded magistrate was miraculously rescued by a giant fish when abandoned on a remote island. In gratitude for this divine intervention, he established Ouo Shrine and erected a sacred torii gate 200 meters offshore in the sea. Since then, local fishermen have continuously offered prayers for maritime safety and bountiful catches at the shrine, and the community has flourished under its protection. During low tide, visitors can walk beneath the torii gate, while high tide transforms it into an ethereal apparition floating on the water’s surface.
Each August, the Sen no Toro Festival creates a mesmerizing spectacle as the torii and approximately 500 glowing lanterns illuminate the night, quietly captivating all who witness this mystical scene.
Established in 1830, Ryokan Omuraya holds the distinction of being the most historic inn within Ureshino Onsen, one of Japan’s top three great hot springs for beautiful skin. This charming ryokan served as the accommodation for Karma, Bianca, and Bob in Saga and appeared in various scenes.
Guests can indulge in natural spring waters flowing directly from the source through four distinct private bath options as well as newly renovated Japanese-Western rooms featuring in-room hot spring baths. The inn’s unique philosophy of “enjoying music and books after bathing” creates distinctive experiences through spaces such as the Yukemuri Lounge for analog record listening and the cozy Library After-Bath Collection.
You can now view a digital map of the filming locations in “From Saga, With Love” in several different languages! Featuring scene introductions and behind-the-scenes insights, it’s essential for fans of the drama. The map also includes comprehensive tourism and dining information, making it invaluable for planning your trip to Saga Prefecture.
View the digital filming location map:
Stunning natural beauty, long-standing traditions, and genuine human warmth – if the stories set in Saga have touched your heart, why not step onto that very stage and discover its magic for yourself?
Hyogo Prefecture, bordered by both sea and mountains and adjacent to the cities of Osaka and Kyoto, offers striking natural scenery. A route that takes you from the historic port city of Kobe to Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea invites travelers to embrace “wellness tourism,” engaging with nature while reconnecting with body and mind.
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