By combining the world of video game Romancing SaGa with the prefecture of Saga, in southern Japan, this inventive tourism initiative gives rise to a unique rail and urban experience. Decorated trains, artistic sewage plates and exclusive tickets transform the daily lives of travellers into a real video adventure.
An alliance between JR Kyushu and Square Enix
Launched in 2022, this collaboration is part of a series of initiatives to promote the prefecture of Saga based on the popularity of the Romancing SaGa franchise, developed by Square Enix. Sixteen trains from JR Kyushu are decorated in the colours of the game. Each row displays on a flank illustrations of Tomomi Kobayashi and Satoshi Kuramochi, leading artists of the series, while the other side features pixel art sprites inspired by the old opus.
This project starts at the Saga station and crosses the whole prefecture, following a route mapped in advance. Visitors can board these special trains and enjoy a limited time pass allowing them to travel freely for two consecutive days on these lines. This operation targets both video game fans and curious people who want to discover Saga from a new angle.
Sewer plates transformed into public art objects
Another remarkable aspect of this collaboration is the installation of decorative sewage plates illustrated with the effigy of the characters and universe of Romancing SaGa. The first series was launched in 2020 in the city of Saga. In 2023, new plaques were laid in the cities of Yoshinogari and Taratesaki, bringing their total number to 30.
These works are designed locally in the factory of Hinode Water Supply Equipment Co., located in Miyaki, in the prefecture itself. In addition to their artistic aspect, they embody regional industrial know-how, combining artisanal heritage and popular culture. The plates thus become playful landmarks that travellers can locate with maps and routes designed for this purpose, transforming their visit into a real urban treasure hunt.
Map of Romancing Saga sewer plates
An adventure mailbox: the Roma Saga Post
To extend the playful experience in the prefecture of Saga, seven regions saw the appearance ofRoma Saga Post, a mailbox decorated in the colors of Romancing SaGa. Visitors are invited to place a souvenir postcard, illustrated with exclusive visuals related to the game universe. Two models of maps are available: a version specific to each accessible region after completing the stages of the SAGATOCO rally, and a special card dedicated to shopping in the partner shops of the collaboration A commemorative collector stamp, also in limited edition, complements this collection of items to collect for both game lovers and curious travellers.
A porcelain monument: the wall in Arita-yaki
Among the artistic initiatives of the collaboration between the prefecture of Saga and the Romancing SaGa series, an imposing Arita-yaki porcelain wall was installed as a monumental panel. This wall is adorned with iconic illustrations by Tomomi Kobayashi, star artist of the saga, as well as original calligraphy created by Shioli Ejima, native calligrapher of Saga. The construction of this monument was entrusted to the company Iwao Jiki Kōgyō, based in Arita, a high historical site of Japanese ceramics. The ensemble forms a lasting and aesthetic tribute to the encounter between video-based culture and local know-how.
An immersive experience between train, urban art and video game
This operation helps strengthen the image of Saga as an accessible, creative and connected destination to contemporary Japanese culture. The train becomes here more than just a means of transport: it is a means of immersion. Visitors can admire the exterior graphic decorations, but also enjoy a decorated environment inside the wagons, making the journey as significant as the destination.
The initiative targets both Romancing SaGa fans and visitors looking for an original experience. Families, art enthusiasts or foreign tourists can thus experience an exploration of the region through an unprecedented cultural reading, on the margins of classical tourist tours.
Practical information for interested travellers
To participate in this experience, just go to Saga station, accessible via Tōkyū Shinkansen (Tōhoku line) or other regional lines. The special ticket, proposed by JR Kyushu, gives unlimited access to the Romancing SaGa trains for two consecutive days. This pass buys at the station or via the usual sales platforms.
Some visitors choose to complete their journey by combining train, urban walking and breaks in cities with plaques, creating a hybrid circuit between rail and pedestrian exploration.
This unprecedented collaboration illustrates how video-based culture can integrate harmoniously into Japanese urban and rail landscapes. In Saga, a simple train ride or a walk through the street becomes an opportunity to dive into a narrative and artistic world accessible to all.
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