In a nutshell

Karatsu Castle, which stands beside Karatsu Bay, is unusual in that the stonework rises directly out of the water, using the ocean as a natural moat. It is a medium-size castle with the Honmaru, the inner bailey located on top of Mount Manto, the Ni-no-maru, second bailey, and the San-no-maru, the third, in the west, and the outer structures to the south.

Main stops

Nijinomatsubara Karatsu Castle Karatsu Float Museum Karatsu Shrine Hikiyama Tenjijyo * Marine center Osakanamura

The programme

First, we drive through Nijinomatsubara which is a 360-year-old pine forest in Karatsu, Saga. It has a width of 400 * 700 metres, a length of about 4 km, and a total area of 240 hectares. Enjoy the scenery of Nijinomatsubara which is one of the 3 biggest a pine‐covered area in JAPAN. Next, visit Karatsu Castle which is a hirayamajiro, a castle built on a plain rather than a hill or mountain. At the end of the Edo period, Karatsu castle was home to the Ogasawara clan, daimyo of Karatsu Domain. It was also known as "Dancing Crane Castle". Next, visit Hikiyama Tenjijyo (exhibition hall of Hikiyama) We always display eisan of 14 leading role of Karatsu kunchi. Finally, visit Marine center Osakanamura, we provide fresh fishes just caught in Karatsu, and also original dry fishes, Squid Shumai that are processed at our company. There are also marine products, special products, local specialty, it is a rare fun shop. There is a restaurant on the second floor where you can enjoy Genkai sea food until you are satisfied.