In today's world, Karatsu, Saga is a topic that has gained great relevance and has captured the attention of a wide audience. From its origins to the present day, Karatsu, Saga has played a crucial role in society, influencing people of all ages and lifestyles. Its impact has been felt in different areas, from culture and entertainment to politics and economics. In this article, we will further explore the importance and impact of Karatsu, Saga, analyzing its historical aspects, its contemporary implications and its future potential.
Karatsu
唐津市 | |
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Coordinates: 33°27′N 129°58′E / 33.450°N 129.967°E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kyushu |
Prefecture | Saga Prefecture |
First official recorded | 4th AD |
City Settled | January 1, 1932 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Tatsurō Mine (from February 2017) |
Area | |
• Total | 487.59 km2 (188.26 sq mi) |
Population (January 1, 2020) | |
• Total | 117,663 |
• Density | 240/km2 (630/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
City hall address | 1-1 Nishijōnai, Karatsu-shi, Saga-ken 847-8511 |
Climate | Cfa |
Website | www |
Symbols | |
Flower | Wisteria |
Tree | Pine |
Karatsu | |||||
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Japanese name | |||||
Kanji | 唐津市 | ||||
Hiragana | からつし | ||||
Katakana | カラツシ | ||||
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Karatsu (唐津市, Karatsu-shi) is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Its name, formed from the Japanese word roots 唐 kara (China, or continental East Asia in general), and 津 tsu (port), signifies its historical importance as an ancient trading port between Japan with China and Korea. The central area of Karatsu, which does not include the former cities and villages of Higashimatsuura District, has a population of 78,386. As of January 1, 2020, the city had an estimated population of 117,663 and a population density of 241 persons per km2. The total area is 487.59 km2.
On January 1, 2005, the towns of Chinzei, Hamatama, Hizen, Kyūragi, Ōchi, Yobuko and the village of Kitahata (all from Higashimatsuura District) were merged into Karatsu.
On January 1, 2006, the village of Nanayama (from Higashimatsuura District) was merged into Karatsu.
Due to its proximity to mainland Asia, Karatsu has long been known as a stopover to Korea and China.
Climate data for Karatsu (2010−2020 normals, extremes 2010−present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 19.5 (67.1) |
22.8 (73.0) |
24.9 (76.8) |
27.1 (80.8) |
32.2 (90.0) |
33.5 (92.3) |
35.8 (96.4) |
37.0 (98.6) |
34.3 (93.7) |
31.6 (88.9) |
27.0 (80.6) |
24.8 (76.6) |
37.0 (98.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 10.0 (50.0) |
11.2 (52.2) |
14.8 (58.6) |
19.1 (66.4) |
24.0 (75.2) |
26.0 (78.8) |
30.2 (86.4) |
31.7 (89.1) |
27.4 (81.3) |
22.8 (73.0) |
17.8 (64.0) |
12.0 (53.6) |
20.6 (69.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 6.3 (43.3) |
7.2 (45.0) |
10.4 (50.7) |
14.5 (58.1) |
19.1 (66.4) |
22.2 (72.0) |
26.4 (79.5) |
27.6 (81.7) |
23.7 (74.7) |
19.0 (66.2) |
13.6 (56.5) |
8.1 (46.6) |
16.5 (61.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 2.7 (36.9) |
3.3 (37.9) |
6.3 (43.3) |
10.2 (50.4) |
14.7 (58.5) |
19.3 (66.7) |
23.6 (74.5) |
24.4 (75.9) |
20.7 (69.3) |
15.5 (59.9) |
9.5 (49.1) |
4.5 (40.1) |
12.9 (55.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | −4.6 (23.7) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
3.2 (37.8) |
6.9 (44.4) |
13.2 (55.8) |
17.4 (63.3) |
17.7 (63.9) |
12.6 (54.7) |
7.8 (46.0) |
1.9 (35.4) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 75.4 (2.97) |
85.4 (3.36) |
117.0 (4.61) |
146.3 (5.76) |
125.5 (4.94) |
280.0 (11.02) |
349.0 (13.74) |
314.1 (12.37) |
191.3 (7.53) |
126.7 (4.99) |
85.7 (3.37) |
94.6 (3.72) |
1,979.3 (77.93) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 7.8 | 9.4 | 9.7 | 9.3 | 7.4 | 11.9 | 12.5 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 7.4 | 8.6 | 9.2 | 113.3 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 111.2 | 118.0 | 172.0 | 186.8 | 213.4 | 124.2 | 175.2 | 219.7 | 151.4 | 166.7 | 141.3 | 101.5 | 1,890.3 |
Source: JMA |
Under ritsuryō, 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, Terazawa 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 .
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 many layers of paper mache) being carried around the city's narrow streets to calls of "Enya!". Some hikiyama members say "Yoisa!". This accompaniment is one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan. Regularly during Karatsu Kunchi, people in this town open their homes to friends and strangers to eat and drink; the primary focus is enjoying food, beer, and shochu, and having lively conversation.
In between Karatsu Station (唐津駅) and the main bus centre (大手口バスセンター) is a 170-metre arcade containing many small shops that specialize in Karatsu Kunchi omiyage, and the Korean-influenced local pottery which are called "Karatsu ware" since they refer to Japanese ceramic wares of Korean origin. The actual date of production of the 'Karatsu Yaki' is believed to have begun being produced sometime "during the first half of the 16th century in the late Muromachi period."
Museums in Karatsu include Kawamura Art Museum, Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum, and Matsurokan, and shrines, Kagami Jinja.
The former town of Yobuko merged with Karatsu on January 1, 2005.
Yobuko is famed for its fresh squid, Ika (烏賊) (いか) 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 (呼子大橋).
Yobuko has a festival known as Yobuko Tsunahiki (呼子大綱引), 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.
Hamatama is a major beach located close to central Karatsu and can be accessed by the JR Chikuhi Line.
The closest airports are Saga Airport and Fukuoka Airport.