Karatsu, Saga

history

,is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of KyÅ«shÅ«, Japan. Its name, formed from the Japanese words å” kara (China, or continental East Asia in general), and æ´¥ tsu (port), signifies its historical importance as a link between Japan and China. The central area of Karatsu, which does not include the former cities and villages of Higashimatsuura District, has a population of 78,386.

Geography

Due to its proximity to mainland Asia, Karatsu has long been known as a stopover to Korea and China.
  • Mountains: Mt. Sakurei (887.1 m), Mt. Hachiman (763.6 m), Mt. Tonbo (535 m)

Adjoining municipalities

History

Under ritsuryÅ, 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 .

  • 1889-04-01 - The modern municipal system is established. The current city region is occupied by 1 town, Karatsu, and 19 villages: Hamasaki, Irino, Kagami, Karatsu, Kirigo, Kitahata, Kuri, KyÅ«ragi, Minato, Mitsushima, Nagoya, Nanayama, ÅŒchi, ÅŒmura, Onizuka, Sashi, Uchiage, and Yobuko.
  • 1896-07-28 - ÅŒmura is renamed Tamashima.
  • 1922-07-01 - Hamasaki gains town status.
  • 1922-11-01 - Nagoya changes the kanji of its name.
  • 1924-01-01 - Mitsushima is incorporated into Karatsu Town.
  • 1928-08-01 - Yobuko gains town status.
  • 1931-02-01 - Karatsu Village is incorporated into Karatsu Town.
  • 1932-01-01 - Karatsu Town gains city status.
  • 1935-09-01 - Sashi and ÅŒchi both gain town status.
  • 1941-11-03 - Sashi is incorporated into Karatsu.
  • 1952-05-03 - KyÅ«ragi gains town status.
  • 1954-11-01 - Kagami, Kuri, Minato and Onizuka are all incorporated into Karatsu.
  • 1956-09-30 - Hamasaki and Tamashima merge to form the town of Hamasaki-Tamashima, and Nagoya and Uchiage merge to form the town of Chinzei.
  • 1958-11-01 - Kirigo is incorporated into Karatsu and Irino, and Irino gains town status and is renamed Hizen.
  • 1966-11-01 - Hamasaki-Tamashima is renamed Hamatama.
  • 2005-01-01 - Karatsu merges with Chinzei, Hamatama, Hizen, Kitahata, KyÅ«ragi, ÅŒchi and Yobuko and retains the name Karatsu.
  • 2006-01-01 - Nanayama is incorporated into Karatsu.

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 paper mache) being carried around the city's narrow streets to chants of "Enya! Enya" or "Yoisa!", from the members of Karatsu Kunchi.

In between Karatsu Station (å”津駅) and the main bus centre (大手å£ãƒã‚¹ã‚»ãƒ³ã‚¿ãƒ¼) is a 170 metre arcade containing many small shops that specialize in Karatsu Kunchi omiyage, and the Korean-influenced local pottery. Also, many events happen during the year around this area.

Yobuko

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

Yobuko is famed for its fresh squid, ika (çƒè³Š) 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å­å¤§æ©‹).

Yobuko has a festival known as Yobuko Tsunahiki (呼å­å¤§ç¶±å¼•), 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
  • Karatsu Commercial High School
  • Karatsu Higashi High School
  • Karatsu Minami High School
  • Karatsu Nishi High School
  • Karatsu Seisho High School
  • Karatsu Technical High School
  • KyÅ«ragi High School

Municipal Junior High schools and Elementary schools

  • Junior High Schools: 25
  • Elementary Schools: 44

National vocational schools

  • Karatsu Martime Polytechnical School

Schools for the handicapped

  • Saga Prefectural Hokubu School for the Handicapped

Transportation

Air

 The closest airports are Saga Airport and Fukuoka Airport.

Rail

Road

  • Expressways:
    • Nishi-KyÅ«shÅ« Expressway

  • Major Prefectural roads:
    • Karatsu-Yobiko Route 23
    • Imari-Hatagawachi-KyÅ«ragi Route 32
    • Karatsu-Hizen Route 33
    • KyÅ«ragi-Fuji Route 37
    • ÅŒchi-Yamauchi Route 38
    • Hamatama-ÅŒchi Route 40
    • Hizen-Yobiko Route 47
    • Karatsu-Kitahata Route 50
    • Yamamoto-Hatatsu Route 52

External links

home | This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. See full license termsIt uses material from the Wikipedia article "Karatsu%2C_Saga ". | compliance | January 22nd 2009