Kyushu North 09

(information from North 09 and others)

Discover Kyushu North 09

Design & Story Trains (Sightseeing Trains) https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/index.html

Karatsu 唐津市

Matsuura Bridge

The Matsuura Bridge 松浦橋 spans 600 meters across the mouth of the Matsuura River in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Japan. It connects the central city to the coastal areas, offering pedestrians sweeping panoramic views of the Genkai Sea, the iconic Karatsu Castle, and the sweeping pine forests of Niji-no-Matsubara.

Niji No Matsubara Pine Grove

Niji No Matsubara (Rainbow Pine Grove 虹の松原) in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, is a 4.5-kilometer coastal forest featuring roughly one million Japanese black pines. Commissioned 400 years ago as a windbreak, it is celebrated as one of Japan’s Three Great Pine Groves, contrasting white sands with deep green foliage along the Genkai Sea.

Higashinohama Beach

Higashinohama Beach (東の浜海水浴場) is a beautiful two-kilometer stretch of white sand located in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, along the northern coast of Kyushu.

Karatsu Castle

Karatsu Castle (唐津城) is a stunning "seaside castle" in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, built in the early 1600s. Nicknamed "Maizuru Castle" (Dancing Crane Castle), its central keep towers over Karatsu Bay and is framed by the sweeping Niji-no-Matsubara pine forest, which resembles the wings of a crane in flight.

Guide Map

Jonai Bridge

Jonai Bridge (城内橋) is a 100-meter pedestrian arch bridge in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture. Spanning the mouth of the Matsuura River, it serves as an iconic, scenic walkway leading directly to the historic Karatsu Castle. Built with stone and wood, it is especially famous for its vintage lantern-style lighting and panoramic castle views.

San-no-maru Tatsumi Turret

The San-no-maru Tatsumi Turret (Yagura 唐津城三の丸辰巳櫓) is a reconstructed wooden watchtower located in the third bailey of Karatsu Castle in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu. Originally named for its position in the southeast ("Tatsumi"), this seaside fortress feature was authentically restored in 1993, enhancing the castle's traditional aesthetic overlooking the Genkai Sea.

Former Karatsu Bank

The Former Karatsu Bank (旧唐津銀行辰野金吾記念館) in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, is a stunning 1912 brick building designed by Minoru Tanaka, a protégé of renowned architect Kingo Tatsuno. Featuring the elegant British Queen Anne architectural style, this designated Important Cultural Property showcases the immense wealth generated by the region's historical coal mining boom.

Hikiyama Exhibition Hall

Located in Karatsu (Saga Prefecture), the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall (曳山展示場) houses the 14 giant, intricately lacquered floats used in the UNESCO-recognized Karatsu Kunchi festival. Built between 1819 and 1876, these vibrant floats depict mythical creatures, samurai helmets, and sea life. Visitors can view these historic masterpieces year-round and watch video footage of the festival.

Genkai 玄海町

Genkai Energy Park

Operated by Kyushu Electric Power, the Genkai Energy Park is a family-friendly educational theme park in Saga Prefecture, Japan. It features interactive exhibits on energy generation, a life-sized nuclear reactor model, expansive playgrounds, and a botanical greenhouse, making it both a fun and informative destination.