Karatsu, Saga

Karatsu
唐津市
City

Top: View of Matsuura River and downtown Karatsu
2nd left: Oteguchi Bus Terminal, 2nd right:Karatsu Castle
3rd: Nijinomatsubara pine forest area
Bottom: Karatsu Kunchi in November.

Flag

Location of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture
Karatsu

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 33°27′N 129°58′E / 33.450°N 129.967°E / 33.450; 129.967Coordinates: 33°27′N 129°58′E / 33.450°N 129.967°E / 33.450; 129.967
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Saga Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Toshiyuki Sakai
Area
 • Total 487.42 km2 (188.19 sq mi)
Population (March 1, 2010)
 • Total 127,766
 • Density 262/km2 (680/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Pine
 • Flower Wisteria
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 1-1 Nishijōnai, Karatsu-shi, Saga-ken
847-8511
Website www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/foreign/english/index.html
Karatsu Castle
Karatsu Castle overlooks the city of Karatsu
A fresh squid in Yobuko

Karatsu (唐津市 Karatsu-shi) is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Its name, formed from the Japanese word roots 唐 kara (China, or continental East Asia in general), and 津 tsu (port), signifies its historical importance as an ancient trading port between Japan with China and Korea.[1] The central area of Karatsu, which does not include the former cities and villages of Higashimatsuura District, has a population of 78,386.

As of March 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 127,766 and a population density of 262 persons per km². The total area is 487.42 km².

On January 1, 2005, the towns of Chinzei, Hamatama, Hizen, Kyūragi, Ōchi and Yobuko. and the village of Kitahata (all from Higashimatsuura District) were merged into Karatsu.

On January 1, 2006, the village of Nanayama (from Higashimatsuura District) was merged into Karatsu.

Geography

Due to its proximity to mainland Asia, Karatsu has long been known as a stopover to Korea and China.

Adjoining municipalities

History

Under ritsuryō, the current city area was part of the Hizen Province. In 1591, on the coast of the northern part of the city (formerly the town of Chinzei), Nagoya Castle was constructed. The following year, it became the location from which the Imjin War was launched by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In the middle of 1593, Terasawa Hirotaka created the Karatsu domain and began governing it. In 1602, replacing Nagoya Castle, Karatsu Castle was constructed in what is now the heart of Karatsu. The tower of Karatsu Castle was built in 1966 .

Culture and tourism

The graceful Karatsu Castle stands watch over this castle town.

Karatsu is famous for its Karatsu Kunchi festival, which runs annually from November 2 to November 4 and is visited by approximately 500,000 visitors from all over Japan. The festival consists of 14 hikiyama (floats made of many layers of paper mache) being carried around the city's narrow streets to calls of "Enya!". Some hikiyama members say "Yoisa!". Regularly during Karatsu Kunchi, people in this town open their homes to friends and strangers to eat and drink; the primary focus is enjoying food, beer, and shochu, and having lively conversation.

In between Karatsu Station (唐津駅) and the main bus centre (大手口バスセンター) is a 170-metre arcade containing many small shops that specialize in Karatsu Kunchi omiyage, and the Korean-influenced local pottery which are called "Karatsu Yaki" since they refer to Japanese ceramic wares of Korean origin.[2] The actual date of production of the 'Karatsu Yaki' is believed to have begun being produced sometime "during the first half of the 16th century in the late Muromachi period."[3]

Yobuko

The former town of Yobuko merged with Karatsu on January 1, 2005.

Yobuko is famed for its fresh squid, Ika (烏賊) (いか） in Japanese, which is offered sashimi style, or it can be eaten while the squid is still alive. Yobuko also attracts local tourists, who come to see the Yobuko Big Bridge (呼子大橋).

Yobuko has a festival known as Yobuko Tsunahiki (呼子大綱引), or the Yobuko Tug of War, which takes place annually on the first Saturday and Sunday of June. The event involves a big tug-o-war between two factions in the town, the fishermen and farmers, and local legend says that if the hills faction wins, there will be a good harvest that year; and if the sea faction wins, there will be a good fishing harvest that year.

Beaches

Hamatama is one of the nicest beaches in Saga Prefecture. It is located close to central Karatsu and can be accessed by the JR Chikuhi Line.

Sister cities

Education

Prefectural senior high schools

Municipal junior high and elementary schools

National vocational schools

Schools for the handicapped

Transportation

Air

The closest airports are Saga Airport and Fukuoka Airport.

Rail

Road

References

  1. ↑ The New Encyclopædia Britannica, Micropædia, Vol:6,, 15th edition, 2003. p.740
  2. ↑ Britannica, Micropædia, 15th edition, p.740
  3. ↑ Britannica, Micropædia, 15th edition, p.740
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