Shiroishi: Seasonal Specialties and Autumn Traditions

Get to know Shiroishi through its seasonal foods and confections, as well as its shrines and autumn festivals. When planning your trip, it makes a difference whether you are looking for specific local products, CHLOÉ’s seasonal creations, or a cultural event. The selection of products changes with the seasons, while several of the events mentioned take place in October. If you are traveling for a particular product or festival, check the current offerings or exact date in advance.

Seasonal Specialties and Confections

The shop selling Shiroishi specialties carries seasonal vegetables and seafood from the Ariake Sea, including “まえうみもん.” Its range also includes “しろいしテンペ,” made from locally grown soybeans, as well as bento, side dishes, and manju made by a local agricultural processing group. Examples of the changing selection include lotus root, onions, strawberries, and corn; seaweed from the Ariake Sea is also available. The selection varies by season, so it is not the same all year round.

Yomogi mochi is a specialty with a clear time restriction: it is delivered to the shop only on Sundays. If you are looking for it, ask about current availability in advance. The shop is in Higashigō on National Route 207, near Shiroishi Police Station. This location helps you pinpoint the shop mentioned within the town.

CHLOÉ’s confections also reflect the seasons. Strawberries and citrus fruits are used in spring, while summer brings peaches, Shine Muscat grapes, and blueberries. Chestnuts and apples are listed for autumn, and chocolate and yuzu for winter. The ingredients described therefore change considerably over the course of the year. As seasonal offerings may change, it is best to ask about the current selection before making a special trip.

Torii Gate and Old Camphor Trees at Rokkaku Shrine

At Rokkaku Shrine, one architectural feature can be distinguished from the natural ones: the first torii gate is considered a relatively slender and rare Hizen-style torii. The grounds are also home to four large camphor trees. They are estimated to be 200 to 400 years old and are registered in Saga Prefecture as notable old trees. The age estimate and registration give the trees a point of reference, while the torii illustrates what makes the Hizen style distinctive.

Autumn Festivals and Legends

An Okunchi festival is held every year at Rokkaku Shrine on October 19. “Okunchi” refers to autumn festivals in northern Kyūshū. The festival features traditional Furyū performances and music on traditional instruments. If you are planning your trip around this date, check the exact event date and current arrangements in advance.

Another event held annually in October is the New Rice Festival at the shop selling Shiroishi specialties. It is a separate event from the Okunchi at Rokkaku Shrine; check the dates separately when planning your trip.

A legend also tells of the founding of a Tenmangū shrine: Sasaki Takatsuna is said to have founded it in the year 287, after Minamoto no Yoritomo rewarded him for his military achievements. This story has been passed down as a traditional account of the shrine’s founding.

Discover more destinations: Imari, Takeo, Ogi, Ureshino, Tosu, Tara, Karatsu, Taku.

Back to the regional travel guide: Saga Prefecture.