Sitting high above the bay is Karatsu Castle, one of Karatsu City’s most iconic features. The castle, rebuilt in 1966, welcomes tourists and locals alike to Saga Prefecture’s picturesque coastal city. This castle is also called the “Dancing Crane Castle” or “Maizuru” due to how the castle is shaped to resemble a crane (tsuru) stretching out its wings.
Home to an abundance of seasonal flowers, the castle remains to be a photo spot favorite during cherry blossom and wisteria season.
Castle History
Photo by: PIXTA/ J6HQL The castle was rebuilt in 1966.
The original Karatsu Castle was built by Terasawa Hirotaka, a retainer of samurai and feudal lord Totoyomi Hideyoshi. Hirotaka had originally begun construction on a castle near the northernmost part of Karatsu in 1592, about 16 km from the present-day Karatsu Castle. However, after gaining control of most of the greater Karatsu area around 1600, he stopped construction of his original castle and began construction on Karatsu Castle in 1602, which finished in 1608. The Hirakata clan’s control of Karatsu would be relatively short-lived, as Hirokata’s son committed suicide without an heir in 1647.
Control of Karatsu Castle and Karatsu would frequently transfer hands over the next 200 years. In the late 1800s, the Japanese feudal system was slowly abolished, with Karatsu formally becoming part of modern-day Saga Prefecture in 1871. The original Karatsu Castle was demolished shortly afterward, with Maizuru Park being established in its place in 1877. However, in order to boost local tourism, the castle was rebuilt in 1966.
The Castle Today
Photo by: PIXTA/ Y.BLUE The land surrounding Karatsu Castle is known for its azalea, wisteria and cherry blossoms
The five-story structure acts mainly as a museum, showcasing the history of Karatsu and Karatsu Castle and featuring samurai armor, artwork and other artifacts from the Edo period. One of Karatsu Castle’s main attractions is the 360-degree lookout located on the fifth floor. One side of the tower provides a stunning view of Karatsu Bay, with the other overlooking downtown Karatsu City. Whether you are a tourist or a local, the view is sure to take your breath away.
The bottom floor of the castle is home to a gift shop featuring items related to Karatsu and Saga as a whole. Additionally, Karatsu was the inspiration for a location featured in the 2016 ice skating anime Yuri on Ice, so you might be able to see a few characters from the series scattered throughout the castle.
Maizuru Park and the land surrounding Karatsu Castle are known for their azalea, wisteria and cherry blossoms, lining the grounds with beautiful flowers when in season.
Karatsu Castle is only a few kilometers away from downtown Karatsu, making it a must-visit for those visiting for the yearly Karatsu Kunchi Festival, held each year in early November.
