Tourist Attractions

The Karatsu Kunchi (festival) is the large autumn-time festival of the Karatsu Shrine, continuing for over four hundred years. It was registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. At the festival float exhibition hall, you can see Karatsu’s festival floats on exhibit.
The Saga International Balloon Festival is a worldwide balloon convention. Held at the same time as the Karatsu Kunchi festival, it is a popular touristic spot.
Photo courtesy: Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation

the Uwabatei Ezarugi Main Store only uses Saga beef, Imari beef, and Saga wagyu beef when preparing their dishes. They cater from small parties to larger banquets as well and make sure to deliver a delicious time – tailored to your budget.
Photo Courtesy: Uwaba Meat Co., Ltd

Karatsu-yaki is a sort of pottery, also referred to as “earth matter.” It is said that the production of these items started during the Imjin Waeran – or the Japanese Invasion of Korea, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi – when the Japanese adopted the technique from the Korean Peninsula.
In Kagamiyama Kiln, not only tea ceremony equipment, but several dishes, utensils, and other merchandise are available as well. Apart from novels, you can also find books by artisans displayed here. For those who are interested in arts and crafts: you can also experience the making and decorating of ceramics yourself!

Conveniently located, just a few minutes away from the hotel on foot. Enjoy the sea of Karatsu fully with stand up paddle-boarding at Karatsu Beach Club. Long and shortboard surfing lessons are also available here.
Paddle along in the most scenic spots around Karatsu and get even closer to nature! This will surely prove to be a unique experience of your vacation. (Reservation required in advance.)

You can find Cape Hado just a little stroll away from the Nagoya castle ruins. Nanatsugama was appointed a natural treasure: the strong waves of Genkai-nada eroded it, so seven cavities of marine erosion can be spotted on them.
Please also remember to seek out the remains of a battle encampment from the era of Hideyoshi’s appointment as an Imperial Advisor. Take a walk around these remains, so rich in history.

Arita-yaki is a special kind of porcelain manufactured in Arita of Saga Prefecture. In the seventeenth century, a Korean-born potter, Yi Sam-Pyeong, discovered this pottery stone at Izumi Mountain, and began to fire porcelains for the first time in Japan. In that time, since the product was shipped out from Imari Harbour, the porcelain was called an “imari.”
Koransha, established during the Meiji period, took the elegant white and blue concept of Arita porcelain-making, and the splendour and design of woodblock prints, spiked with gold and silver, blue, and green glazing. It quickly became the leading manufacturer of Arita porcelain making.
At this place, you can marvel at several Arita-products, as well as buy your own sets.
Photo courtesy: Arita Main Store

This is a huge theme-park based on the aesthetics of Europe and especially The Netherlands. You can explore not only various attractions and rides but several museums installed in the park as well. You can take pictures in traditional Dutch clothes worn by the royalty. There is also an observation tower available on site. The Huis Ten Bosch Park also features an all-female musical theatre troupe. Several shops are also available on site, with special merchandise as well as cuisine from all over Europe. This is definitely the place for theme-park lovers!

One of Japan’s three biggest pine groves, and a special scenic spot. The view from Kagamiyama is exceptional. The main shop of “Karatsu Burger” is found in the middle of the Matsubara Rainbow grove, a very popular gourmet spot among visitors.

The speciality of Karatsu and Yobiko: live squid. Depending on the season, you can try different kinds of squid here. Alter you have thoroughly enjoyed the squid sashimi (raw live squid), they can grill it for you, or prepare it as tempura, a deep-fried dish.
In this branch, the ingredients are taken from the fishery located right in front of the restaurant, so they would always be freshly picked.

The castle of Karatsu is also known as “Maizuru” or the “dancing crane.” The castle was originally erected in the early seventeenth century, then rebuilt in 1966 after it was destroyed in the 1800s. You can get a 360-degree view of the city from the castle’s observation deck, and the castle gardens are also a good place to watch the cherry blossoms and the wisteria from in the season.
The former Bank of Karatsu, which was supervised by Tatsuno Kingo served as a venue during the 2018 Bakumatsu Restoration Fair, for the Karatsu Satellite. The Takatori Estate is an important cultural property, it served as the mansion of the Kishima Coal Mine’s proprietor, Takatori Koreyoshi. It is also equipped with a noh-stage.