Karatsu, Saga
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Karatsu (唐津市; -shi) is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan.
As of 2003, the city had an estimated population of 78,713 and a population density of 617.41 persons per km². The total area was 127.49 km².
On January 1, 2005, six towns and one village that belonged to Higashimatsuura District were merged into Karatsu. This merger made Karatsu the largest city in Saga Prefecture, with an area of 424.30 km², an estimated population of 133,234 (as of Jan. 1, 2005), and a population density of 314.01 persons per km².
The city was founded on January 1, 1932.
KaratsuCastle.jpg
The graceful Karatsu Castle stands watch over this castle town.
Karatsu is famous for its Karatsu Kunchi festival, which runs annually from November 2nd to November 4th and is visited by approximately 500,000 visitors. The festival consists primarily of hikiyama (floats) being carried around the city's narrow streets to cheers of "Enya! Enya" from the spectators.
External links
- Official website (http://www.city.karatsu.saga.jp/) in Japanese