Karatsu Shrine

Karatsu Shrine is located in the center of Karatsu City, and its striking white torii gate stands out prominently. It is also the shrine where the harvest thanksgiving festival “Karatsu Kunchi” is held every year for three days on November 2, 3, and 4. Karatsu Kunchi was designated a Saga Prefecture Important Tangible Cultural Property in 1958 (Showa 33), and a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1980 (Showa 55). Today, the Hikiyama float event of Karatsu Kunchi is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage listing “Yama, Hoko, Yatai Float Festivals in Japan.” Next to Karatsu Shrine is the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, where the festival floats are displayed. The largest floats reach about 6 meters in height and weigh around 3 tons, and they are sometimes described as among the world’s largest lacquer art crafts—luxurious and overwhelmingly impressive. Although the festival itself takes place at the shrine beside the hall, videos shown inside the exhibition hall make it easy to understand the atmosphere and scenes of the festival. Access to Karatsu Shrine: by public transportation, about a 15-minute walk from JR Karatsu Station (JR Karatsu Line / JR Chikuhi Line). By car, about 15 minutes (about 8 km) from Karatsu Chijigakayamada IC on the Karatsu–Imari Road via Prefectural Route 320.