Saga

is the capital city of Saga Prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Saga was the capital of Saga Domain in the Edo period, and the largest city of former Hizen Province. As of August 1, 2020, the city had an estimated population of 232,736 and a population density of 539 persons per km2. The total area is 431.84 km2. Saga is located in the southeast part of Saga Prefecture. After the 2005 merger the city became very long north to south, bordering the Ariake Sea to the south and Fukuoka Prefecture to the southeast and north. The northern half of the city contains the Sefuri Mountains. Saga can also be regarded as within the Greater Fukuoka metropolitan area, and by extension, Fukuoka-Kitakyushu Metropolitan Area. History Municipal timeline April 1, 1889 - The modern municipal system was established and the city of Saga is founded. At the same time, the current city region is occupied by 21 villages from three districts. Kanzaki District: Hasuike and Mitsuse. Ogi District: Kitayama and Nanzan. Saga District: Higashikawasoe, Honjō, Hyōgo, Kamino, Kase, Kasuga, Kawakami, Kinryū, Kitakawasoe, Kose, Kuboizumi, Matsuume, Nabeshima, Nikita, Nishiyoka, Oseki and Takakise. June 6, 1899 - Kose changed the kanji of its name. October 1, 1922 - Kamino was incorporated into Saga. November 3, 1935 - Hasuike was elevated to town status. March 31, 1954 - Hyōgo, Kase, Kose, Nishiyoka and Takakise were all incorporated into Saga. October 1, 1954 - Honjō, Kinryū, Kitakawasoe, Kuboizumi and Nabeshima were all incorporated into Saga. March 1, 1955 - Higashikawasoe and Nikita were merged to create the town of Morodomi. October 1, 2005 - The towns of Fuji, Morodomi and Yamato (all from Saga District) and the village of Mitsuse (from Kanzaki District) merged with Saga. (population: 206,967 ; area: 355.15 km2) October 1, 2007 - The towns of Higashiyoka, Kawasoe, and Kubota (all from Saga District) were all incorporated into Saga. (population: roughly 240,000 ; area: 431.42 km2) Saga District was dissolved as a result of this merger.