[Karatsu, Saga Prefecture: Travel Record]

#DomesticTravelRecord

Karatsu City is located in the northwest of Saga Prefecture and faces the Genkai Sea.

Karatsu Kunchi, famous for the autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine, is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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◼︎Karatsu Shrine

An old shrine said to have been built in the Nara period, it enshrines the Sumiyoshi Sanjin and Kanda Souji.

Long ago, when Empress Jingu was crossing the sea to the Three Kingdoms of Korea, she was unable to find her way by boat, so she prayed to the Sumiyoshi Sanjin and was able to safely achieve her goal. When she returned, she offered a mirror to the beach of Matsuura and made a prayer.

◼︎Former Oshima Residence

The former residence of Oshima, which still exists in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, was built in the Meiji period near Karatsu. This is the former home of Oshima Kotaro, who contributed greatly to the modernization of the area.

◼︎Former Takatori Residence
The residence of Takatori Koreyoshi (1850-1927), known as the owner of coal mines such as the Kishima Coal Mine, is located along the coast southwest of the main citadel of Karatsu Castle in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. It was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in December 1998.

◼︎Stone Wall Walking Trail
A 2km long path of stone walls built during the feudal era that stretches west from Karatsu Castle. It's a walking trail

◼︎Karatsu Castle
The first lord of the castle, Terazawa Shimanokami Hirotaka, was responsible for transporting troops and providing food supplies during the construction of Nagoya Castle and the invasion of Korea.
He was also trusted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and was given land, which led to the construction of Karatsu Castle.

◼︎Former Karatsu Bank Tatsuno Kingo Memorial Museum
A historical building supervised by Tatsuno Kingo in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture.
The former Karatsu Bank head office was completed in 1912.

◼︎Float exhibition hall

An exhibition hall where all 14 floats used in the Karatsu Kunchi festival (held every year from November 2nd to 4th) are lined up

◼︎Tamatori
Located in a corner of the complex KARAE
Produced by chef Otsuka Hitomi, who also designs food spaces, this Japanese restaurant serves dishes made with Karatsu ingredients by chef Ito Mai on tableware by Nakazato Hanako of "monohanako"

◼︎HOTEL KARAE
An art hotel on the 3rd floor of the complex KARAE where you can experience a trip that feels like living

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