Yobuko Morning Market

Yobuko Morning Market is a market rooted in local daily life. Fresh seafood landed from the Genkai Sea is lined up alongside locally harvested vegetables and fruits. It is considered one of Japan’s Three Great Morning Markets, alongside Wajima Morning Market (Ishikawa) and Takayama Morning Market (Gifu). Its origins are said to trace back to the Edo period, when fishermen and farmers exchanged their products; it took its modern form in the Taisho era. Walking along the market street, you can enjoy the lively atmosphere filled with spirited vendor calls. Visiting while snacking as a breakfast substitute is recommended. By public transportation, take a bus about 30 minutes from “Oteguchi Bus Center” (about 10 minutes on foot from Karatsu Station on the JR Karatsu Line), get off at “Yobuko,” then walk about 1–3 minutes. By car, it is about 1 hour from Taku IC (Nagasaki Expressway) or about 30 minutes from central Karatsu.