Whether you are a Yuri!!! on Ice fan or a castle lover, a day trip to Karatsu is the perfect escape from the busy city of Fukuoka. Located in Saga Prefecture, one of Japan’s least-visited prefectures, this seaside town offers a blend of samurai heritage and coastal charm. Karatsu City was the real-life inspiration for Yuuri Katsuki’s hometown of Hasetsu in the hit 2016 figure skating anime Yuri!!! on Ice, so if you are a fan of the anime, you will enjoy following the footsteps of the characters.
Here is your guide to spending a perfect day in Karatsu.
How to Get to Karatsu from Fukuoka
Getting to Karatsu from Fukuoka takes about 60 to 90 minutes. From Karatsu Station, you can either take a a quick taxi ride or walk 20 minutes to the castle. I took a taxi to the castle but walked back so that I could check out Maizuru Bridge and Kyomachi Shopping Arcade since both appeared in Yuri!!! on Ice.
By Train (The Chikuhi Line)
This is the most popular route. Take the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line (which becomes the JR Chikuhi Line) from Hakata or Tenjin Station. If you want to be right next to the sea, try to snag a seat on the right side for stunning views of the Genkai Sea as you approach Karatsu (you will have to turn around in your seat to look out the window though, so if you prefer to face the sea sit on the left).
By Bus (Showabus “Karatsu-go”)
Frequent highway buses depart from the Tenjin Sanmitsu or Hakata Bus Terminal.
History of Karatsu Castle
Karatsu Castle was completed in 1608 by Terasawa Hirotaka, the first Lord of Karatsu. The original castle was dismantled in 1871 during the Meiji Restoration (a common fate for Japanese castles at the time). The current five-story keep was reconstructed in 1966.
The inside of Karatsu Castle’s castle tower was refurbished in 2017 and contains a modern museum housing samurai armor and Karatsu-yaki pottery. There is also an experience area where visitors can try wearing replicas of the outfits Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Lord Ogasawara Nagamichi used to wear, including their helmets.
Karatsu Castle is also known as Dancing Crane Castle because of its unique architectural silhouette. The main keep (tenshu) sits atop a hill while the two long stretches of pine forests flanking it known as Niji-no-Matsubara to the east and Nishino-Matsubara to the west look like the outstretched wings of a crane taking flight.
To reach the castle, you can either head up the long set of stairs where Yuuri and Victor trained in Yuri!!! on Ice or take an elevator (which you will pay about 100 yen to ride).
Karatsu’s Yuri!!! on Ice Connection
In the anime, Karatsu is essentially Hasetsu, the hometown of protagonist Yuri Katsuki. Walking through the town feels like stepping into the anime.
The Castle Grounds: In the anime, the castle and its surrounding park are frequently seen in the background of Yuri’s training runs.
The Training Steps: To get to the castle keep, you can either take the diagonal elevator or hike up the stone stairs. Fans will recognize these stairs as the spot where Yuri (and later Yurio) builds up his stamina.
The View from the Top: From the observatory deck, you get a 360-degree view of the bay. You can spot the bridge and the coastline where many of the show’s most emotional inner monologue scenes take place.
On an upper floor of the castle keep, you can see cardboard cutouts of the characters.
Maizuru Bridge: Just a few minutes’ walk from Karatsu Castle is Maizuru Bridge, which was featured in several scenes of the anime.
Kyomachi Shopping Arcade: Yurio finds his tiger sweater here in the anime, and 10 years later there is still a tiger sweater hanging outside one of the shops!
Tip: After visiting the castle, you can go to Kagamiyama Onsen by bus or taxi and order the famous Katsudon (pork cutlet bowl). Kagamiyama Onsen served as the model for “Yu-topia Katsuki,” Yuri’s family bathhouse. Sadly I didn’t go because I didn’t have time.
When is the Best Time to Visit to Karatsu?
Spring (Late March – Early April): The castle is a beautiful cherry blossom spot.
Late Spring (May): Massive purple wisteria vines hang from trellises in the castle park, creating a “flower tunnel” effect.
Autumn (November): Don’t miss the Karatsu Kunchi Festival, where giant, colourful floats (including a huge red sea bream) are paraded through the streets.
What is the Karatsu Kunchi Festival?
While Karatsu Castle is a great year-round day trip, timing your trip for early November so that you can attend the Karatsu Kunchi festival would completely elevate your experience!
Held annually from November 2nd to 4th in Karatsu, Karatsu Kunchi Festival features 14 floats (hikiyama) depicting sea creatures, samurai helmets, dragons and even a rooster. They are pulled through the streets by locals.
The Floats: Standing 5 to 6 meters high and weighing 2 to 5 tons, these floats are among the world’s largest dry lacquer art pieces. They are crafted from wood, layered with washi paper, and finished with gold and silver leaf.
They typically take 2-3 years to complete, with the oldest surviving one dating back to 1819. The original creations are usually on display at the Hikayama Exhibition Hall next to Karatsu shrine, outside of festival season.
Nov 2 (Hikiyama Shinko): The festival kicks off at night with a magical procession of all 14 glowing floats parading through the streets towards Karatsu Shrine.
Nov 3 (Otabisho Shinko): The biggest spectacle of the festival. The floats are dragged across the sand and pulled through the water at Nishinohama Beach, requiring immense teamwork and strength.
Nov 4 (Machi Mawari): The grand finale, where the floats are paraded around the castle town before finally being returned to their respective exhibit halls.
Crowds: The event draws upwards of 500,000 visitors, so arriving early and booking accommodations well in advance is highly recommended.
Local Food: The festival is deeply tied to community hospitality. Locals frequently welcome visitors into their homes to share special seasonal dishes like large whole-boiled sea bream.
The festival dates back to the Edo period (1603–1867) and was originally a harvest thanksgiving ritual.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re there to see the “Dancing Crane” castle or to visit locations from Yuri!!! on Ice, Karatsu is a hidden coastal escape worth leaving Fukuoka for! If you time your visit right, you can even attend the famous Karatsu Kunchi festival. Make sure to include Karatsu as part of your Kyushu itinerary!
