【Address】
1162-1 Tokusue, Kitahata, Karatsu, Saga
【Hours】
9：00～18：00
【Holidays】
New Year 12/30～1/2
【Contact】
TEL：0955-64-2033
【Access】
2 minutes by car from the Kitahata Civic Center
A rest place for kitahata residents, surrounded by nature
There are archeaological remains of Karatsu's ceramic past scattered throughout Kishidake. They are symbols of Japan's ceramic industry.
【Address: 】3372-104 Hieda, Kitahata, Karatsu, Saga
【Access:】10 minutes by car from Kitahata Civic Center
These ruins represent the rise and fall of the Hata family and the Matsuura domain.
Built in the early Kamakura period, and a valuable example of medieval Japanese castle architecture. Even after 400 years, one can feel the history in these crumbling walls.
【Address】Hieda, Kitahata, Karatsu, Saga
【Access】10 minutes by car from Kitahata Civic Center
Kitahata, the birthplace of Karatsu ware
Inheriting the legacy of the potters of old
Visit the local kilns while enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings of Kitahata.
Beautiful flowers bloom throughout the year in Kitahata. There are also many delicious local specialties.
Trade with the mainland resulted in familiarity with the mainland's tea culture.
The harvested leaves are processed into high quality aromatic tea.
The harvested leaves are processed into high quality aromatic tea.
Riverside park with canoes
This riverside park was built along Karatsu's Tokusue River. There are 14 canoes with which visitors can try their hand at canoeing. The area is surrounded by trees and fields. There is a legend that the Kappa (mythical water goblins) live in the Tokusue River, and there is a Kappa statue on the riverside.
【Address】361 Tokusue, Kitahata, Karatsu, Saga
【Contact】Kitahata Civic Center
TEL：0955-53-7135
【Access】5 minutes by car from Kitahata Civic Center
This park is beautiful to visit all 4 seasons of the year
Osmanthus, Cherry, and Azalea are among the 2,000 shrubs and trees planted at this park, enough variety to bloom year round. You can enjoy the blooms and trees of the park's nature path, while kids can enjoy a 30 meter long roller slide and grass ski slope.
【Address】589-11 Kishiyama, Kitahata, Karatsu, Saga
【Access】5 minutes by car from Kitahata Civic Center
At Houanji Temple, beginning with a 10 meter stone image of the enlightened Buddha, there are over five hundred images of the Buddha carved into the rock, and over 3,000 azaleas and 1,500 hydrangeas filling the landscape.
In 1592, Lord Hata angered the Taiko, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and was stripped of his title along with his vassals. Houanji was constructed in 1923 to appease their spirits. There are 500 images of the Buddha carved into the rock face of a cliff. One of them is 10 meters in length, making it the largest in Japan. In April, 3,000 azaleas, and in June 1,500 hydrangeas envelop the grounds in color.
【Address】361 Tokusue, Kitahata, Karatsu, Saga
【Access】10 minutes by car from Kitathata Civic Center
Supporting fine handmade objects
Supporting Karatsu
Soudensha is a ceramic art gallery specializing primarily in Karatsu ware. Soudensha also conducts classes in tea ceremony and offers guide services to the local kilns and tourist spots. They curate individual and group ceramic shows, and handle pottery related events, management, PR, and production. They also offer media consulting, local public relations assistance, and assistance for visitors to the area.
【Address】1030-3 Tokusue, Kitahata, Karatsu, Saga
【Contact】TEL0955-64-3540
【Access】1 minute walk from Kitahata Civic Center
Tokusue Gion is a festival held in Tokusue on Saturday and Sunday in late July. Large floats, called Yama, are carried through the streets, accompanied by the music of whistles and drums.
It is estimated that Tokusue Gion was established 270 years ago. Its practice died out, but was revived in 1982.
Video here
