Karatsu Castle

Karatsu, Japan, Japan

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Karatsu Castle is a historic Japanese castle located in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, overlooking Karatsu Bay.

Built between 1602 and 1608 by Terasawa Hirotaka, it became the center of the Karatsu Domain during the Edo period. The castle is especially notable for its seaside location, with parts of its stone walls rising directly from the water and the sea serving as a natural moat. The castle is also known as “Maizuru Castle” or “Dancing Crane Castle” because its layout and the surrounding coastline resemble a crane spreading its wings.

After the original structures were dismantled in the early Meiji era, the main tower was reconstructed in 1966 and now functions as a museum showcasing local history and artifacts. Today, Karatsu Castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks, offering panoramic views of Karatsu Bay, Nijinomatsubara pine forest, and the surrounding coastline.