Karatsu is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. This is the place where the food is fresh and delicious and also both natural and historical places to visit! Let’s go.
1. Karatsu, Where is it?
You can easily travel from Fukuoka city by subway to Meinohama station and transfer to JR Meinohama to Karatsu station. Regular train ride costs about 840 yen. Then, if you want to travel within the city, just take the Showa bus in town.
2. Morning Market Yobuko
The Yobuko Morning Market is one of the three largest morning markets in Japan operating for more than 130 years. Fishermen are selling their own fish in the morning after the hunt. As you walk through the shops, you should find a fresh sea urchin (Uni, うに), and a giant Squid rice cracker which is the must-try food. Most of the shops will be open from 7.30 am till noon. Normally, there will be about 40 shops. On Sunday, there will be 60 shops open.
Photo by asobo-saga.jp
3. Fresh Squid Yobuko
Lively fresh squid is cut and eaten while still moving. It is a must try delicacy. The characteristic of the Yobuko squid is clear to see. If you have the Sashimi, the soft and sweet texture would melt the mouth. You can also try a tempura way as well.
Here are the recommended restaurants Ikahonne which is a fine place to have a Sashimi and Tairyosenka where you can have a BBQ style seafood.
4. Heart statue at Cape Hado
Hadomisaki is a small cape in Karatsu City. Not merely offering picturesque scenery, the Hadomisaki proximity is a resort area with an abundance of fun activities such as hiking, fishing, camping and swimming in the sea. The symbol of this place is the Heart statue where visitors must take a photo with a heart. If not, it would not be called that you have come here.
Nearby there is a sea oyster, abalone grilled shop that is caught from the Genkai Sea. Let’s try when you have come here together.
5. Grilled Seafood shop
Fresh turban shell, abalone, squid, oysters can be eaten at the best price. The aunties grill seafood in front of you!
6. Underwater Observation Tower
The islands of the Genkai Sea can be seen from the deck of the 86m pier which connects to the subsea observation tower. From the subsea observation tower at a depth of 7 meters, visitors can see seasonal fish in their natural surroundings.
7. Niji-no-Matsubara
Niji-no-Matsubara, stretching along the Karatsu Bay coastline, is designated as a national scenic beauty spot and is considered one of the three greatest pine forests of Japan. Niji-no-Matsubara is approximately 5 km in length, 1 km wide and made up of around 1 million Japanese Black Pine trees.
8. Karatsu Burger
A famous, long-standing hamburger shop can be found within the beautiful area of Nijinomatsubara in Karatsu City. This shop is a remodeled minibus with the words “Karatsu Hamburger and Coffee Shop” painted on it in Japanese as a telltale sign for visitors.
9. Karatsu Castle
This castle was constructed in 1608 by the first lord of the Karatsu Domain, Hirotaka Terasawashima-Nokami. The Maizuru Park located on the periphery of the castle is a famous spot to view cherry blossoms and wisteria flowers when they are in full bloom. The Karatsu Castle is illuminated at night, making for a gorgeous sight to behold.
10. Mt. Kagamiyama
Mount Kagami, with its height of 284 meters above sea level, is famous as a spot for taking in spectacular views of Karatsu city.
How is the city of Karatsu? Saga yet has more tourist destinations … wait until next time.
