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Nicknamed Maizuru-j¨­ (Dancing Crane Castle), this elegantly proportioned white castle (built 1608, rebuilt 1966 and refurbished 2017) is picturesquely perched on a hill overlooking the sea. Inside are antique ceramics, samurai armour and archaeological displays, amid walls lined with Karatsu-yaki (Karatsu pottery) tiles. Download the Karatsu Castle app to scan QR codes for detailed English descriptions of select pieces. The climb up the hill can be a slog, especially in muggy summer heat, but there's a diagonal elevator.

The views from the castle grounds are breathtaking: Karatsu Bay and the town of Karatsu lie below, making it easy to see why the location was such prime real estate for Lord Terasawa, a chief retainer to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

  • °­²â¨±²õ³ó¨± Ceramic Museum

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    About 15 minutes on foot from Arita Station, this large, hilltop operation is the most comprehensive ceramics museum in the region. The Shibata Collection¡­

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  • ?kawachiyama

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    The area's renowned pottery kilns are concentrated in photogenic ?kawachiyama, a 15-minute bus ride from the station. Around 30 workshops and public¡­

  • Ji-in to Ky¨­kai no Mieru Michi

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    This street, rising up a steep hill from town, is one of the most photogenic vantage points in all of °­²â¨±²õ³ó¨±. The Buddhist temples and large Christian¡­

  • Nakazato Tar¨­emon

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    0.82 MILES

    Karatsu-yaki is defined by the work of 14 generations of the Nakazato family. Walk through the shop, which feels like a museum unto itself, and cross the¡­

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Nearby °­²â¨±²õ³ó¨± attractions

2. Karatsu-jinja

0.51 MILES

Founded AD 755, this scenic shrine sits near the centre of town and is fronted by an unusual white torii (gate). It sponsors the Karatsu Kunchi Matsuri,¡­

4. Nakazato Tar¨­emon

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Karatsu-yaki is defined by the work of 14 generations of the Nakazato family. Walk through the shop, which feels like a museum unto itself, and cross the¡­

5. Yobuko Morning Market

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This colourful morning market for squid, fish and produce animates the quaint, dwindling fishing port of Yobuko (ºô×Ó) each day, drawing visitors from all¡­

6. Nakao Mansion

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At the far end of the Yobuko Morning Market is this painstakingly refurbished home and processing house of a whaling family. It's filled with historical¡­

7. Imari City Ceramic Merchant's Museum

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In Imari town near the river, this museum houses some priceless pieces of Koimari (as old Imari ware is known) from the 18th and 19th centuries. It's in¡­

8. ?kawachiyama

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