Eloquent scenic beauties of Karatsu truly are a gift from the nature. 284m Mt. Kagami is known for its dazzling flowers of cherry and azalea. The Kagamiyama Observatory atop provides a great view of Nijinomatsubara, one of the three best pine groves in the country, along with downtown Karatsu and Karatsu Bay.
Selected as one of the Top 100 Terraced Paddy Fields, the Hamanoura region is best for viewing at dusk during the seedling season. The entire sight of water-covered paddy fields turns into an atmospheric phenomenon, as it radiates nothing but bright orange beams from the light pillar during this season.
Boat ride tours are also available for Natural Monument Nanatsugama, a set of seven caves formed by the rough currents of the Genkai Sea.
Once flourished as a castle town and a coal-shipping port, Karatsu is home to various remnants and landmarks from those old times. The town’s beloved symbol is Karatsu Castle, which was constructed in 1608 by the first Karatsu Domain feudal lord, Terazawa Hirotaka.
The Former Residence of ‘coal mining King’ Koreyoshi Takatori and the Former Karatsu Bank Headquarters are representations of the region’s economic rise in the past from coal mining industry. The Hikiyama Exhibition Hall displays the heart and the passion of local people with their array of Karatsu Kunchi and Hikiyama festival floats.
Equipped with a variety of cultural amenities, Karatsu is great for experiencing art and history at first hand. The Kawamura Art Museum exhibits a collection of ceramics and glassware from the East and the West, along side the main collection of art works by painter Aoki Shigeru, who has passed away at the young age of 28.
The Karatsu City Library featuring a dedicated art hall hosts various exhibitions throughout the year. In addition to all of these, the city offers the Memorial Hall of Hideo Murata commemorating the late enka singer, the Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum with a comprehensive history of the cross-cultural relationship between the Japanese archipelago and the Korean Peninsula, and so forth. Many discoveries await you in Karatsu.
Survived with many historic sights, Karatsu carries on the dreams of the old times. One of the notable characteristics of the city is the high number of prestigious shrines and temples residing in the region.
Karatsu Shrine’s annual fall festivity, Karatsu Kunchi, is a domestically recognized event. Situated just north of the Nagoya Castle Ruins, Hoko-ji Temple draws many visitors during spring season for viewing of the double-flower cherry tree, presumably planted by no other than Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Hoto Shrine of Takashima Island in the bay of Karatsu and Houman Shrine in Uki are known for good luck in winning the lottery. Who knows? If you pray hard, you just might!
