The Karatsu Shrine Autumn Festival, designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, attracts around 500,000 visitors over three days. Fourteen elaborately decorated festival floats, each passed down through local neighborhoods, begin their procession at 7:30 pm on November 2, setting off from the Oteguchi area near Karatsu Shrine. On November 3 and 4, the floats continue to parade through the historic castle town of Karatsu, accompanied by traditional music and lively shouts from the pullers. The highlight of the festival is the “Hikikomi” event on November 3, where the floats converge at Nishinohama Beach’s otabisho (sacred resting place).
• 11/2 (Sat.) 19:30~22:00, 11/3 (Sun., hol.) 9:30～16:30, 11/4 (Mon., hol.) 10:00~16:40
• Free viewing
• From Karatsu Shrine (3-13 Minami-Jonai, Karatsu City, Saga) to Karatsu City (course map)
• https://www.karatsu-kankou.jp/en/feature/karatsukunchi/
