Saga Ganjin Festival Kentoshi Boat Race

About

Each late summer in Saga, crews race wooden boats on the Kase River. The boats are built to resemble the envoy ships once sent to Tang China, and the 12 rowers in each team paddle by hand in unison. More than 1,200 competitors come from inside and outside the prefecture. The event draws on the legend that Ganjin (Jianzhen), the monk who helped Tenpyo-era culture flourish, came ashore at Kasetsu in Saga. The 2026 race is the thirtieth, a commemorative edition, held on August 23 from 8:00 to 17:00 on the stretch of river downstream of Kasegawa Bridge, west of the Saga Prefectural Forest Park. From the JR Saga Station bus center, take a bus toward Kase or Tokuman to the Kasebashi stop and walk about 5 minutes; the park's west car park is free.

Sources

• OfficialSaga Ganjin Festival Kentoshi Boat Race Executive Committee (secretariat at Saga Mizu Monogatari-kan) sagamizu.jp
• OfficialSaga Prefectural Cultural Tourism Federation (Asobo Saga) www.asobo-saga.jp
• Referenceさが水ものがたり館「さが鑑真和上まつり第30回記念遣唐使船レース」応援参加 www.sagamizu.jp

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026. Event information is based on official announcements, but changes may not always be reflected here. Please check each official website for accurate details.

Other events this month

• Kashima Odori Dance Festival
• Taku Yamakasa