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Event Guide · Kyushu

Karatsu Kunchi

NovemberKaratsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen2026: Nov 2 (Mon) – Nov 4 (Wed), 3 days
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Overview

Overview

The autumn grand festival of Karatsu Shrine, held every year from November 2 to 4. Fourteen ornate hikiyama floats parade through the old castle town. It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1980 and inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016. More than 500,000 people come during the festival.

When
Every year November 2–4 (Yoiyama on the 2nd, Otabisho Shinko on the 3rd, Yokujitsu-sai town tour on the 4th)
Confirmed dates: 2026: Nov 2 (Mon) – Nov 4 (Wed), 3 days
Venue
Karatsu Shrine and the old castle town area of central Karatsu (including the Otabisho at Nishinohama)
Official website
https://www.karatsu-jinja.org/kunti
Official website (English) ↗
Highlights

Highlights

The highlight is the powerful procession of 14 floats weighing 2–3 tons each, shaped like lions, samurai helmets and sea bream, including Akajishi (Red Lion), Aojishi (Blue Lion), Tai (Sea Bream), Hoomaru (Phoenix Ship) and Hiryu (Flying Dragon); it takes about 50 minutes for all 14 to pass. On the 3rd comes the stirring scene of the floats being hauled one after another onto the sand at Nishinohama, and the lantern-lit Yoiyama on the night of the 2nd is magical.

Times

Times

Yoiyama (evening float procession)19:30 to around 22:00

November 2. At the signal of a fire arrow, the first float, ‘Akajishi’ (Red Lion), leaves Otemachi-guchi, and the floats line up in front of Karatsu Shrine around 22:00. Official 2026 information from the Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation also lists 19:30–22:00

Otabisho Shinko (procession to the Otabisho)9:30–16:30

November 3. The floats accompany the mikoshi to the Otabisho at Nishinohama. Per 2026 official information, the floats are pulled onto the sand from 12:00 and pulled out from 15:00. Otabisho ritual at noon

Yokujitsu-sai (town tour)10:00–17:30

November 4. Departs at 10:00 and tours the old castle town, finishing at the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall (a temporary exhibition hall during rebuilding). Official information for 2026

Traffic restrictions (around the procession route)2nd 18:00–23:30 / 3rd 7:00–18:00 / 4th 8:30–18:30

Official 2026 information from the Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation. Parking is prohibited along the entire procession route

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓The biggest moment is the hauling of the floats into the Otabisho at Nishinohama on November 3 (from 12:00 in 2026). Watching the floats pulled in as their wheels sink into the sand is thrilling
  • ✓For watching the procession, places with wide sidewalks such as the street in front of City Hall and the street north of Arpino are recommended (Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation guidance)
  • ✓Corners are especially dangerous, so leave plenty of room when watching. Sitting on the road to watch is prohibited
  • ✓In the early morning of the 3rd, the ‘Kabukabu Jishi’ lion dance is performed as an offering in the grounds of Karatsu Shrine
  • ✓Some street stalls take cash only, so bring cash. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket for chilly mornings and evenings
  • ✓Outside the festival, the floats can be seen at the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall (temporarily displayed at Furusato Kaikan Arpino Hall during rebuilding)
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • JR Karatsu Station (JR Chikuhi Line and Karatsu Line)About 10 min on foot (to Karatsu Shrine)Nearest station to the heart of the procession area
From major stations
  • Fukuoka (Hakata, Tenjin, Fukuoka Airport): JR Chikuhi Line, running through from the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line, to Karatsu Station
  • Fukuoka (Tenjin and elsewhere): Showa Bus highway bus ‘Karatsu-go’ to Karatsu
Extra buses & shuttles
In 2025, there was no shuttle bus from the Kahan Park parking lot to Karatsu Station. Free temporary parking lots are opened at various locations in the city (8 locations in 2025)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
According to the Karatsu Tourism Association’s 2025 guidance, IC transit cards cannot be used on JR trains coming from the Saga or Imari directions
Getting back
  • There are large-scale traffic restrictions around the procession route, and roads near parking lots get congested at certain times, so using public transport is recommended
  • Karatsu Station gets crowded when the procession ends, so allow plenty of time
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
The Otabisho Shinko on November 3 (especially the hauling-in at Nishinohama) and the Yoiyama on the night of November 2
Quieter times
The town tour on November 4 takes a long time to cover the whole old castle town, so it’s easy to watch if you choose your spot
Saving a spot
Secure a spot early for the hauling-in at Nishinohama. Along the procession route, places with wide sidewalks are recommended
Time needed
About 50 minutes for all 14 floats to pass. About half a day if you also watch the hauling-in
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
November normals for the Karatsu / Arita / Ureshino Onsen area (Ureshino) are a high of 17.3°C and a low of 6.8°C. It gets cold during the Yoiyama on the night of the 2nd
What to wear
Clothes that are easy to move in during the day, and warm layers such as a jacket or stole at night. Wear comfortable shoes
Rain, snow & typhoons
Check official announcements on whether events go ahead or change in rain
Where to check for cancellations
Karatsu Shrine official website (https://www.karatsu-jinja.org/), Karatsu Tourism Association (0955-74-3355)
☁ Kyushu weather in November →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Follow the instructions of police officers and float officials
  • !Do not approach moving floats or their pulling ropes. Walking directly behind a float is prohibited
  • !Sitting on the road to watch is prohibited
  • !Flying drones and using selfie sticks during the procession are prohibited
  • !Parking is prohibited along the entire procession route. Do not park on the street; use paid or temporary parking
  • !At Karatsu Shrine, bow once before the torii gate, and do not block the path of rituals or the mikoshi
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Paying at food stalls
Some street stalls are cash only, so bring cash
ATMs
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The procession route is extremely crowded, so getting around with a wheelchair or stroller may be difficult
Food

Food

Local favorites
Ara no sugatani (whole simmered longtooth grouper, a kunchi dish served in local homes)Street-stall food
Vegetarian & halal
Street stalls rarely label vegetarian or halal options, so it helps to look up nearby restaurants in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Accommodation in Karatsu gets busy during the festival, so early booking is recommended. You can also stay in Fukuoka City and commute on the Chikuhi Line

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Karatsu KunchiPR

PRSee more places to stay near Karatsu Kunchi on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

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Every year April 29 – May 5

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2026: Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct 9 (Fri), 3 days

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Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

PRKlookKaratsu Castle Admission TicketVisit the castle keep overlooking the castle town. An easy side trip from the Karatsu Kunchi procession areaView