Karatsu and Yobuko are home to tourist attractions such as Kumano Shrine, Suwa Shrine, and Karatsu Castle; tourist events such as Karatsu Kunchi, Kyushu Fireworks Festival, and Aichi-Kunchi; and local delicacies such as fish cakes, salted squid, and pickled wasabi.
Karatsu has a beautiful coastline of white sand and green pine trees stretching for about 5 km. Among them, Niji-no-Matsubara, where about one million black pine trees, some more than 200 years old and some younger, have been planted, is considered one of the three most beautiful pine groves in Japan.
Karatsu Castle, located on a hill overlooking a white beach stretching from east to west that looks like wings, is also known as "Maizuru Castle" because it looks like a crane. The Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, where visitors can view the floats representing the grand festival "Karatsu Kunchi" held every year from November 2 to 4, is also a popular spot.
The area is also known as a production center of Karatsu-yaki pottery, and there are various famous kilns in the area. Ryuta Kiln," whose dishes are highly favored by professionals, and "Nakazato Tarouemon Pottery," whose current owner is the 14th generation of the family, both exhibit and sell their wares.
Although both of these kilns are famous for their high-end products, some of them can be used in daily life, and you may come across unexpected bargains. It is also recommended to stop by the Hodo Shrine, which is reputed to be a good place to win the lottery.
Yobuko is also known for the Yobuko morning market, one of the three largest morning markets in Japan. The market is held every morning from 7:30 a.m. except on New Year's Day, and the sight of fresh seafood and mountain products all gathered in one place is spectacular.
Nearby are Nanatsugama, a series of seven caves formed by the erosion of basalt by rough seas, and other wondrous sights. At high tide, visitors can enter the caves on the small boat "Ika-maru.
At Cape Hato on the verdant Higashimatsuura Peninsula, there is an underwater observatory where visitors can enjoy the view of the Genkai Sea. In summer, the beaches are open and the area becomes even more crowded.
After a day at sea, fresh seafood is waiting for you. Squid is one of the area's representative specialties, and in fact, squid also has its own season, with squid, squid, squid, squid, squid, squid, squid, etc. available in each season.
There is a wide variety of live fish restaurants, some of which have fish tanks, so you can enjoy a full meal of freshly caught, freshly prepared fish.
Uniquely, a tree decorated with dried squid, cast nets, and vacuum-packed dried sea bass and horse mackerels appears at Christmas time. Each customer can take one dried fish home with him or her, a nice Christmas present.
Nanatsugama, meaning “Seven Pots” or “Seven Caves,” is a spectacular coastal attraction in the northwestern part of Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Located within Genkai Quasi-National Park, this remarkable natural formation consists of a series of sea caves carved into towering basalt cliffs by the powerful waves of the Genkai Sea over countless years. Designated as a National Natural Monument of...»
Karatsu Castle, also known as Maizuru Castle, stands in Maizuru Park in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Rising above the coast of Karatsu Bay, the castle is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Its elegant white keep, stone walls, and surrounding pine forests create a striking landscape that can be admired from Maizuru Bridge and other viewpoints around the city. The castle is particular...»
Niji-no-Matsubara is a magnificent coastal pine forest stretching along Karatsu Bay in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. The contrast between its white sandy beaches, deep-green pine trees, and blue sea creates a landscape known in Japan as hakusha seisho, meaning “white sand and green pines.” It is one of Japan's most celebrated scenic coastal areas and is counted among the Three Great Pine Groves o...»
Mt. Kagamiyama Observation Deck is a scenic viewpoint located at the summit of Mount Kagamiyama in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Rising approximately 284 meters above sea level, the mountain offers magnificent views of Karatsu Bay, the famous Niji-no-Matsubara pine grove, and the surrounding coastline. From the observation area, visitors can look down over the sweeping arc of Niji-no-Matsubara, ...»
The Rice Terraces in Hamanoura are among the most beautiful rural landscapes in Japan. Located along the coast of Genkai Town in Saga Prefecture, these rice fields spread across a sloping inlet overlooking the Genkai Sea. Layer upon layer of paddies climb the hillside like a giant staircase, creating a striking scene shaped by both nature and generations of farming communities. The terraces are p...»
Mikaeri Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located in Ouchi Town, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Situated within Tenzan Prefectural Natural Park, it is one of the region's best-known natural attractions and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Waterfalls. The waterfall is located on the left Ikisa River, a tributary of the Matsuura River. Its impressive flow descends through a lush mounta...»
Matsuura Pickle is a traditional specialty of Yobuko, a coastal town in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. This distinctive preserved food is made from the cartilage found in the upper jaw of a whale, known as kabura-bone. Finely chopped and carefully prepared, the cartilage is pickled in sweetened sake lees, the aromatic residue left over from sake production. The dish is particularly appreciated fo...»
Gyorokke is a popular local specialty of Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture. This distinctive fried food has been enjoyed by local residents for many years and is a familiar part of the city's everyday food culture. Convenient to eat and full of flavor, it is enjoyed in many ways: as a snack between meals, as a side dish with rice, or as an accompaniment to drinks. Gyorokke is particularly popular i...»
Ika Shumai is a distinctive local specialty of Yobuko, in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. It combines the rich flavor of locally caught squid with the familiar form of Japanese shumai, or steamed dumplings. When steamed, the dumplings open out like flowers, creating an attractive appearance as well as an interesting texture. The dish was developed by local chefs who wanted to make better use of fr...»
Ika shiokara is a traditional Japanese delicacy made by salting and fermenting squid. In Saga Prefecture, it is particularly associated with Yobuko, a coastal town in Karatsu City renowned for its squid cuisine. The town is famous not simply because of the quantity of squid caught there, but because local people developed ways to handle this delicate seafood and bring it to customers while it is s...»
Whale cutlet is a popular street food specialty at Yobuko Morning Market in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. It is known for its juicy flavor, mild taste, and surprisingly light finish. Carefully prepared to remove the characteristic odor sometimes associated with whale meat, this fried delicacy is an appealing way to experience a traditional ingredient in a familiar form. Yobuko Morning Market is ...»
Whale cuisine has a long history in Saga Prefecture, particularly in the Karatsu area. Whale meat was valued as an important source of protein and was eaten by local people from long ago. The tradition is closely connected with the history of whaling, which once played a significant role in the economy and everyday life of the region. During the Edo and Meiji periods, Karatsu prospered through wh...»
The Squid Burger is a distinctive local specialty from Yobuko, in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. As its name suggests, squid is the star ingredient throughout the burger: it is used not only in the patty but also in the bun. This unusual combination creates a chewy texture and a gentle sweetness, making it a memorable variation on the familiar hamburger. Yobuko is famous for its seafood, especial...»
A Communal Dish Traditionally Prepared in Large Quantities Dabu is a traditional local dish from Saga Prefecture, particularly associated with the former Hamatama Town and the Nanayama area of Karatsu City. Passed down through generations, it is closely connected with the customs and everyday lives of local communities. Dabu is often served on important occasions when people gather, including ce...»
Expert Knife Skills That Prepare a Whole Squid in Around 30 Seconds Ikizukuri is a Japanese style of preparing seafood while it is still alive, and the live squid sashimi of Yobuko in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, is one of its best-known examples. It is admired for its extraordinary freshness and the skill of the chefs who prepare it. The squid used for this specialty includes Japanese spear s...»
Karatsu's Yobuko: A Treasure Trove of Squid Yobuko, in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, is so closely associated with squid that the name of the town immediately brings this seafood specialty to mind. Located in the Genkai area, Yobuko is a rich fishing ground where several varieties of squid are landed, including Japanese spear squid (kensaki-ika), spear squid (yari-ika), bigfin reef squid (aori-i...»
Premium Tiger Pufferfish Raised in a Special Land-Based Aquaculture Facility Fuku Shumai is a luxurious Japanese steamed dumpling made with premium tiger pufferfish. It generously incorporates the finest meat of the fish, its milt, and its skin, all carefully wrapped in a translucent dumpling wrapper with a pleasantly chewy texture. The tiger pufferfish used in this specialty is raised in a land...»
A Premium Seafood Specialty from the Ariake Sea Umitake kasuzuke is a traditional preserved delicacy made by pickling umitake shellfish in sake lees. Umitake is highly prized as a premium seafood delicacy from the Ariake Sea, which lies between Kyushu and western Japan. Its distinctive flavor and pleasantly crisp texture make it a memorable regional specialty....»
High-Quality Tea Supported by Nature and Careful Cultivation Karatsu Tea is a high-quality Japanese tea produced in and around Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture. The region's rich natural environment, together with the careful cultivation techniques of local tea growers, produces tea with a full, well-balanced flavor. The area benefits from a mild climate, clean water, and fertile soil. These favo...»
Yobuko's fresh-dried squid is one of the best-known specialties of Yobuko, in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Made from fresh squid nurtured by the abundant waters of the Genkai Sea and dried naturally in the sun, it is prized for its rich aroma and concentrated flavor. Yobuko has flourished as a fishing port since ancient times and is widely known throughout Japan as the “Town of Squid.” Many visi...»
Natural Horse Mackerel Chazuke is a popular seafood specialty made with high-quality horse mackerel from the Genkai Sea. Generous portions of fresh fish, suitable for eating as sashimi, are combined with fragrant sesame seeds from Amakusa to create a dish with a rich aroma and delicious flavor....»
Yobuko Morning Market is a traditional market held in the port town of Yobuko, in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. With a long history and a lively atmosphere, it is regarded as one of Japan's leading morning markets and is widely known as one of the country's four major morning markets, together with Wajima Morning Market in Ishikawa Prefecture, Katsuura Morning Market in Chiba Prefecture, and Miya...»
Nagoya Castle was a massive fortress built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in what is now Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Constructed as a forward military base for the Japanese invasions of Korea during the late 16th century, it played a central role in Hideyoshi's ambitious plans to expand his influence across the Asian continent. Although the castle was abandoned after Hideyoshi's death, its extensive ru...»
The Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum is located in Chinzei, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, beside the ruins of Nagoya Castle. The castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a military base for his campaigns on the Korean Peninsula in the late 16th century. Taking advantage of this historic setting, the museum introduces the long history of interaction between the Japanese archipelago and the K...»
Yobuko Bridge is a striking road bridge in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, connecting Kabe Island with the Kyushu mainland. Its graceful curved profile stretches across the blue waters near Yobuko, creating one of the area's most recognizable coastal landmarks. The bridge is not only an important transportation route for the residents of Kabe Island but also an impressive example of civil engineer...»
Cape Hado is a scenic cape located at the northernmost tip of the Higashimatsuura Peninsula in Chinzei, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Facing the Genkai Sea, it is known for its beautiful coastal scenery, rich natural environment, and wide ocean views. The cape forms part of Genkai Quasi-National Park and is one of the most appealing seaside destinations in the Karatsu area. The Higashimatsuura P...»
Mount Kagamiyama is a 283.56-meter-high mountain in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Known for its beautiful panoramic views and legends associated with ancient Japanese history, it is one of the best-loved natural landmarks in the area. The mountain is also known by the name Hirefuriyama, meaning “the mountain where a scarf is waved.” This name comes from the legend of Princess Matsuura Sayohime, ...»
Hōtō Shrine stands on Takashima, a small island in Karatsu Bay, approximately 2 km north of Karatsu Castle in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. It is particularly famous as a place where visitors pray for good fortune and success in the lottery. The shrine is associated with Shioya Shrine, which enshrines the local guardian deity of Takashima....»
Karatsu City is located in the northwestern part of Saga Prefecture, facing the Genkai Sea. It is the prefecture's second-largest city by population after Saga City and serves as an important urban center for the northern part of the prefecture. With its historic castle-town atmosphere, beautiful coastal scenery, and traditional culture, Karatsu attracts visitors from throughout Japan and overseas...»
Kabe Island is a beautiful island in the Genkai Sea, belonging to Yobuko-cho in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Located approximately 500 meters offshore from Yobuko Port, it is connected to the mainland by Yobuko Ohashi Bridge. The island attracts visitors with its natural beauty, historical heritage, and locally produced specialties....»
Tashima Shrine stands on Kabe Island in Yobuko-cho, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. With a history extending back to ancient times, it has long been an important center of religious worship in northern Kyushu. The shrine is located in the area traditionally associated with the ancient kingdom of Matsuro, which is mentioned in the Chinese historical account known as the Records of the Three Kingdom...»
Suwa Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Ham玉町, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, formerly part of Higashimatsuura District. It has long been cherished by local residents and is also a place of interest for visitors exploring the area's history and folklore. The shrine is especially well known for a tragic love story involving a falconer who came from the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje and a woma...»
The Former Karatsu Bank Head Office is a historic bank building in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Designed in the architectural style known as Tatsuno-style, it is a representative example of bank architecture from the Meiji era. The building is also known as the Tatsuno Kingo Memorial Hall, in recognition of the renowned architect who supervised its design....»
Mikaeri Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located in Ochi Town, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Situated within Tenzan Prefectural Natural Park, it is one of the region's most celebrated natural attractions and has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. Visitors are drawn to its impressive flow of water and the changing scenery of the surrounding landscape throughout the four seasons....»
Warabino Rice Terraces are located in Hirayama-kami Warabino, Ochi Town, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Built along the northern slopes of Mount Hachimandake, which rises to 764 meters, these extensive terraced fields cover approximately 40 hectares. The landscape is a remarkable example of Japan's traditional rural scenery, with layers of stone retaining walls supporting rice fields across steep...»
Kashibaru Marshland is a beautiful highland wetland in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Located at an elevation of 591 meters and covering approximately 120 hectares, it is renowned for its rich natural environment and diverse ecosystem. Often described as the “Oze of Kyushu” because of its distinctive wetland landscape and valuable wildlife, it is an important place for nature conservation and obse...»
Masuda Shrine is a distinctive shrine in the Takagushi area of Hizen Town, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. It is known as the only shrine in Japan dedicated to a police officer. The enshrined figure is Keitaro Masuda, a police constable who devoted himself to preventing the spread of cholera during a major epidemic in the late 19th century and ultimately lost his life through his work. The shrine'...»
Genkai Town is located in northwestern Saga Prefecture, in Higashimatsuura District. Facing the Genkai Sea, the town is blessed with beautiful coastal scenery, a rich natural environment, and a long history. It has the smallest population of any municipality in Saga Prefecture, yet it attracts attention for its distinctive local culture, historical heritage, and initiatives involving energy produc...»
Kagami Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located at the foot of Mount Kagami in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Revered since ancient times as the principal guardian shrine of the Matsuura region, it has long been an important center of local faith and remains deeply connected with the history and culture of the area. Today, the shrine is widely known as Matsuura Sōchinju Kagami Shrine. Throughou...»
Ōuo Shrine is located in Tara, Tara Town, Fujitsu District, Saga Prefecture, facing the Ariake Sea. It is particularly famous for its unusual torii gates standing in the sea. Their appearance changes dramatically with the tides: at high tide, the gates are partially or completely submerged, while at low tide, visitors can walk across the exposed seabed toward them. The striking combination of the...»
The Nanatsugama Sightseeing Boat, known as Ikamaru, departs from Marine Pal Yobuko in Yobuko Town, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. This approximately 40-minute cruise takes visitors along the beautiful coast of the Genkai Sea to Nanatsugama, a spectacular natural landmark where powerful waves have carved a series of sea caves into the cliffs. The boat has a distinctive design inspired by a squid, ...»
Located in Yobuko, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Marine Pal Yobuko is a popular sightseeing destination where visitors can experience the beautiful waters of the Genkai Sea. It offers two distinctive cruises, each providing a different perspective on the natural wonders of Yobuko: one takes passengers beneath the surface of the sea, while the other explores the coastline from the water. With exp...»