The places I love visiting in Karatsu!

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It's been almost 6 months since I moved into Karatsu. I've found out that many foodies from all over Japan moved here for a slower life near the spaceyand sunny beaches and great food. 

Today I gathered where and what I like doing in Karatsu so far!

The Castle and the Sea












I walk about an hour everyday around sunrise near the Karatsu Castle every day, and when I can sunset as well.

It's just 10 minutes walk to the castle from where I live in the city center area, and there is a walking path along the beach going to the castle.

The beach is managed by Karatsu City and Saga Prefecture, so it's very organized and clean. It's spacey and relatively empty, so plenty of breathing space.

I only see a few people swimming or walking like me, and some fishing.

I wrote about my walking experience here.

Fishing in Karatsu
















Karatsu Bay is very rich in nutrients and a whole varitey of seafood can be fished here including: horse mackerel, mackerel, seabream, seabass, eel, and squids.

It's probably uneasy to find the points and the right equipments, so if you're interested you should use a professional that will cater to your needs.

I've asked locals and Tomonomaru is a legitimate fishermen that fishes seabream and Isaki seabass, but they have a boat that can take you to the nearby remote islands or fishing experience on weekends. (around 5000JPY/person, varies what your needs are)

If you need help inquiring with them about their service or interpretation in general, comment on this feel free to blog or DM me.

Dining at Genyou 玄洋













Genyou is local's favorite live squid sashimi shop.

When you enter the restaurant, seabreams, amberjack, and horse mackerels swim in their tanks along with the squids nearer to the kitchen.

The layout of the restaurant is comfortable with the tatami mats in Horigotatsu style you can get a feel of Japan dining there.



Interacting with locals

Karatsu is a small city with 110,000 in population even after smaller villages joined together. So people tend to be closer to each other.

When you talk to them they are much more welcome than in bigger cities.

So I have good conversations with neighbors and wherever I spend time in the city, but the most interaction I get is at Choko Bar where I work on Thursdays.





Many local regulars come to the shop for coffee and drinks, and local small plates all put in Karatsu ware.

It hasn't been very long since I moved into the city so what locals tell me about Karatsu is very inspiring and I enjoy it a lot.

Choko Bar introduces sample size local sake of Saga Prefecture, and Taiko 太閤 is Karatsu local's favorite sake! Their premium brand 瀧 (means water dragon) which is a mineral sake that goes really well with seafood.

Taiko has a shop just right outside Karatsu Station, and tastings are available to find your favorite Taiko太閤 or Taki瀧 Sake. Their Umeshu is very good, too!!

   

Going to Yobuko













Yobuko is a popular tourist destination, and is also one of my favorite fishing spots for Arakabu rock fishes.

It used to be a big whale hunt base but now it's more of squids, seabreams, and bluefin tuna.

The Asaichi 朝市 morning market is very historical, and is a cute street that sells local seafood.












I like the restaurant Manbo萬坊, they're a very popular destination as you can dine underwater looking at the local fishes swimming.













Their specialty is live squid sashimi, and other seafood dishes in sashimi, grill, and deep fried. 

Renting a car is better in Karatsu!

Although Karatsu City Center is very compact and walkable, it's better to rentacar so you can visit places like Yobuko area that is famous for seafood, Umakamon Ichiba, local market that attracts a lot of locals and visitors from our neighboring prefectures, Fukuoka and Nagasaki, and more rural places like Uki for soba and a visit to Homan Shrine.

I recommend taking the bus or train from Fukuoka area to Karatsu station, which is just one direct ride then it's only 5 minute walk to Toyota Rentacar.
 
  

Related:

Come see me in Choko Bar just in front of Karatsu Station

I work as a sake bartender at Choko Bar, a bar/cafe where you can try local sake and light meals with Karatsu dishes and cups.


I'm currently in charge of Thursdays, on Friday it will be someone who used to run a jaz kissaten cafe in Sapporo, and on weekends and public holidays a very nice and gourmet lady from Kitakyushu.

The owner wants me to make it a place for international travelers to know more about Karatsu, and I'll do my best to connect you with the local regulars that know a lot about this small but very interesting Bushido and foodie town!

Come join me on the journey at Karatsu. 

I moved into Karatsu on March, 2025 from the variety of fish it has.

But I want to try to work with the local businesses and the government to show you hints of the samurai town.

It has great traditional content that is interesting, but it's still hidden.

It will be my pleasure to show you the charms of the samurai city as an experience that we all can learn from to better our lives.

    Where to stay in Karatsu:

    松 Higher Class: Yoyokaku, Mizuno Ryokan
    Apartment style with kitchen: Hotel Nine States Karatsu

    Where to eat in Karatsu:

    What to do in Karatsu:

    Thanks for Reading! 

    Follow me on my journey discovering the best fish dishes of Japan. I will open a fish laboratory in my akiya abandoned house I'm going to live soon.

    I would love to connect with people interested in fishes, cooking, and Japanese food. Share me your interests, and let's hang out!

    This will be my long game, and I look forward to sharing what happens.

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