Karatsu Castle, located on the north side of Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture, is a seaside fortress also known as the “Dancing Crane Castle.” Built on Mount Mitsushima overlooking Karatsu Bay, it has the Matsuura River at its back and the sea to its front. From a distance, the castle and the opposite Niji-no-Matsubara pine forest form a picturesque view, resembling a white crane spreading its wings — hence its elegant nickname. The castle was originally constructed in the early Edo period by Terazawa Hirotaka, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and took six years to complete. During construction, the mountain was separated from the mainland and the course of the Matsuura River was redirected toward the sea. Materials from Nagoya Castle were also reused, and many feudal lords from Kyushu contributed to its completion.
Although the stone base for the main keep was built, historical records provide no evidence that Karatsu Castle ever had a completed tenshu (main tower) during its original period. Over the Edo era, the Karatsu Domain saw several changes of lords, eventually coming under the rule of the Ogasawara clan until the Meiji Restoration. Following the abolition of feudal domains, Karatsu Castle was dismantled, and most of its buildings were lost. The current keep was reconstructed in 1966 (Showa 41) as a historically inspired replica. Though not original, it preserves a strong historical atmosphere and now houses a museum displaying the history and culture of the Karatsu Domain.
Today, the castle grounds, known as Maizuru Park, are a popular cherry blossom viewing site. Each spring, hundreds of cherry trees bloom around the castle, creating a romantic backdrop against the historic walls. Some stone walls and moats have been preserved, and turrets as well as the main gate have been reconstructed, allowing visitors to imagine the castle’s former appearance. Because of the steep elevation difference, a sloped elevator has been installed to make access to the castle more convenient.
From the top of Karatsu Castle, visitors enjoy sweeping views of the magnificent Niji-no-Matsubara pine forest and the blue waters of Karatsu Bay, a landscape now emblematic of the city. Today, Karatsu Castle is not only a historic site but also a major tourist attraction that blends history, natural scenery, and urban culture, drawing visitors from across Japan and beyond.
