Kunenan Villa and Garden

During the Meiji period, businessman Itami Yataro wanted a second home in the mountains of Saga. He and his architect set to work designing Kunenan, named the Nine Year Garden for the amount of time it took to create. Today, this property is only open to the public for four days in May (May 3-6 for 2014) and nine days in November (November 15-23 for 2014). That's when the grounds are at their best, with copious maple trees turning stunning shades of red. A sukiya style house with open verandas makes for a photogenic backdrop against the changing foliage.