June 16 is 'Wagashi Day': 16 Types of Saga Wagashi with a Sugar Road Heritage Gather at SAGA MADO for a Limited-Time 'Wagashi POP UP'

The Saga Prefectural Products Distribution Design Corporation (located in Saga City, Director: Noriko Ishii) will hold a pop-up event at its select shop 'SAGA MADO' from Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to Sunday, June 28, 2026, for 13 days, featuring 16 types of delicious wagashi (Japanese confections) from Saga Prefecture. Saga Prefecture is located on the Nagasaki Kaido, also known as the 'Sugar Road,' which was the route used to transport the first imported sugar from Nagasaki to Edo during the Edo period. As a result, confectionery-making has flourished in the region since ancient times, and 'wagashi' such as Ogi Yokan and Maruboro are still beloved by many prefectural residents. In line with the 'number 16' of 'Wagashi Day,' a pop-up event gathering 16 types of delicious wagashi from within Saga Prefecture will be held at SAGA MADO. Furthermore, from Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, June 21, a campaign will be held concurrently to celebrate the 6th anniversary of SAGA MADO's opening, offering an original masking tape to customers who purchase 2,500 yen or more (tax included). (Available while supplies last.) Please take this opportunity to visit SAGA MADO. 'Wagashi POP UP' in SAGA MADO Overview Event Period: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – Sunday, June 28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Location: SAGA MADO Special Area (1F, Combobox Saga Ekimae, 1-4-17 Ekimae Chuo, Saga City) *Media coverage and photography are welcome during the period. Please feel free to contact us. About June 16: Wagashi Day In 848 AD, Emperor Ninmyo received a divine oracle and offered sweets and mochi associated with the number 16 to the gods on June 16, praying for health and good fortune, and changed the era name to 'Kasho' (or 'Kajo'). The practice of eating the offered wagashi to pray for good health and freedom from disease, a tradition called 'Kasho' that continued until the Meiji era, was revived in modern times as 'Wagashi Day,' which was officially established by the Japan Wagashi Association in 1979. SAGA MADO 6th Anniversary Campaign 'Combobox Saga Ekimae' and SAGA MADO, located at the south exit of Saga Station, will celebrate their 6th anniversary on June 20, 2026. As a token of gratitude for your continued patronage, from Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, June 21, customers who make a purchase of 2,500 yen or more (tax included) at 'SAGA MADO' will receive an 'Original Masking Tape' as a gift. ■ Original Masking Tape Two types of original masking tape featuring Saga Prefecture's specialty fruits and flowers. The design is by Eri Shimazuka, a globally active textile designer. ➢ Saga no Kudamono (Saga Fruits) A Nordic-style design with pop and colorful Saga fruits arranged on a light beige background. With a fun and lighthearted atmosphere, it adds color to notebooks and wrapping. Motifs: Fruits (persimmon, fig, green plum, mandarin orange, kiwi, strawberry, grape, dekopon, peach, loquat, pear) ➢ Saga no Hana (Saga Flowers) A gorgeous design with roses, Turkish bellflowers, carnations, and other flowers drawn in a soft touch on a pink background. Gentle and warm, it is perfect for gifts and interior decoration. Motifs: Flowers (rose, dahlia, Turkish bellflower, carnation, gerbera) Campaign Period: Saturday, June 13, 2026 – Sunday, June 21, 2026 Summary: Customers who spend 2,500 yen or more (tax included) at SAGA MADO will receive one original masking tape. *Limited to one per person, while supplies last. Planned Products for Sale (Partial) *All prices include tax ① Community Journal 'Maruboro Tasting Set' 1,400 yen How many Maruboro shops are there in Saga? I love Maruboro, so I want to try and compare Maruboro from different shops! The 'Saga Maruboro Tasting Set' was created in response to the voices of such Maruboro fans. It includes 9 types of Maruboro. ② Takahashi Mochi Honpo Fukuya 'Takahashi Mochi (3 pieces)' 450 yen *Limited sale on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays A traditional mochi made by pounding high-quality glutinous rice 'Hiyoku Mochi' from Saga Prefecture with a pestle, wrapping a lightly sweetened koshian (smooth bean paste). This is the flagship product of Takahashi Mochi Honpo Fukuya. Available in three types: plain white, red, and yomogi (mugwort) mochi. ③ Takahashi Mochi Honpo Fukuya 'Honey Butter Dora' 300 yen A popular dorayaki made by kneading fragrant Saga-produced multi-floral honey into butter, and sandwiching it with Hokkaido-produced red bean tsubuan (chunky bean paste) in a soft, fluffy skin. ④ Imoame Gotou 'Imobee' 350 yen 'Imobee' is a popular item from the Gotou Masterpiece Series, featuring potato chips coated with candy, offering an exquisitely unique texture and deliciousness. ⑤ Etoile Horie 'Imari-yaki Manju (5 pieces)' 960 yen A visually beautiful creative confection inspired by Imari/Nabeshima ware. It meticulously reproduces the crackle patterns of ice-crackle ware, traditional designs, and even the walnut knob. An elegant taste with a gentle sweetness combining egg yolk anko and milk anko, wrapped in a secret-recipe dough. ⑥ Usagiya Kashibo 'Kinkato (Sea Bream, Small 2 pieces)' 300 yen A sugar confection made by boiling down water and sugar, pouring it into a dedicated mold, and coloring the surface. It is said to have originated in the Edo period, imitating the Portuguese 'Alfeloa' (confiture). An indispensable auspicious item for celebrations in Saga. ⑦ Muraoka Sohonpo 'Cashew Nut Yokan' 1,080 yen A yokan created under the concept of 'a Japanese confection that goes well with coffee.' It features the richness of nuts added to traditionally made honneri yokan, and is characterized by not being too sweet. ⑧ Tachibanaya Yatsugashira Yokan 'Ogi Yokan Shigure' 702 yen 'Shigure Yokan,' which contains Dainagon (large red beans) in white bean paste, is characterized by its moist texture, offering the chewy feel and moist, elegant flavor unique to honneri yokan. ⑨ Takagi Yokan Honpo 'Black Fig Yokan' 1,620 yen 'Black Fig Yokan' uses two black figs per stick of yokan. A slightly Western-style yokan that is not too sweet, with a fruity, sticky texture and the unique grainy feel of figs. ⑩ Kobutsu Seika 'Wa Glace' 648 yen each Available in three types: , , and . These bite-sized wagashi are easy to eat, and their cute packaging makes them popular as gifts. ⑪ Ganso Yoshinoya 'Saga Ebisu Monaka (2 pieces)' 864 yen A monaka unique to Saga, where Ebisu worship has been popular since ancient times, and Ebisu statues can be found throughout the town. Please enjoy by sandwiching the separately attached light bean paste between the crispy wafers. ⑫ Okashi no Mizutaya 'Kosuzume Monaka (5 pieces)' 864 yen Modeled after the 'Fukura Suzume' (a plump sparrow), which fluffs up its feathers to endure the winter cold. Each piece is hand-filled by craftsmen with Hokkaido-produced red bean paste, creating an adorable, bite-sized monaka. ⑬ Genpachiya 'Chaiko' 540 yen A spicy 'Ikkoko' (a type of hard candy) with added cinnamon. When eaten with milk tea, it tastes just like chai. ⑭ Kobo no no Kaze 'Nonopon' 370 yen Puffed rice made from unpolished glutinous rice. A refreshing sweetness. It contains a little brown sugar and salt that do not interfere with the flavor and sweetness of the rice. A confection that can be enjoyed together by the elderly and even babies.