Saga station; a station in time

Built in 1891 by Kyushu Railway, Saga station was built to be the terminus station for the line running through Tosu to the east. Just four years later, the station was modified to allow a through line serving Takeo onsen. For the next twelve years, Saga Station served as a stop on the line connecting several big cities within the prefecture to Fukuoka and the east of Japan.  

 In 1909, Saga station joined up with the Nagasaki main line after JGR took over the railways. However, it wasn’t until 1935 that the station would become a stop on its own Saga line. This line remained open until 1985. Two years later, everything passed into the hands of the current owners, JR (Japan Rail). IC cards can be used on most lines within the prefecture, apart from the Karatsu line, where it stops before Karatsu do not support IC. 

So, let’s look at statistics from 2020: Saga was the 11th busiest station in Kyushu, and it saw a little over 8,500 passengers daily. In 2025, Kyushu saw a surge in tourism, and even the rural sleepy Saga saw a boost in visitors. Saga prefecture is rural, and much of it is farmland, tea terraces, or mountains. Many who embark on their journeys from Saga station are usually travelling to Fukuoka for work or to nearby stations, for school. Saga is served by four tracks with two platforms on either side. The southern side of the station is curved, and the northern is straight, which is a footnote in the ongoing story that is the proposed Shinkansen. Often an unpopular topic to discuss with anyone in the prefecture. Before this, trains departed on the Tosu side, an elevated piece of track can be seen 600 meters from the station.

 The design of the station is elevated another footnote towards a story not completed. The station is accessible with lifts and offers a direct undercover walk to the bus center. Along this walk, visitors can see shops and places to eat. The western side has many restaurants too, and outside the station is a taxi stop which serves the station till very late.

All in all, Saga Station provides a glimpse into the changing nature of the Japanese railway and into a possible future. The station is small in comparison to most capital cities it shows us a glimpse of the past. There are small features to look out for on the platforms, such as the statue of the deity of fishing, also replicated downstairs in the bus center. The station is also home to a bakery selling amazing handmade goods, and I fully recommend checking them out.