Karatsu Castle (Maizuru-jo “Dancing Crane Castle”)

Castle / Ruins of Castle

This is a castle which could also be called a symbol of Karatsu, located in the northern part of Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Terazawa Hirotaka, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, spent seven years to build this castle. The inner citadel sits on Mt. Mitsushima which projects out into Karatsu Bay, while the outer citadel is on the west bank and the third citadel leads to a renkaku style flatland mountain castle. The inner citadel has now been turned into Maizuru Park, and also you can see the superb views of Matsuura Bay from that observation point, the current castle keep which was completed in 1966.

Spot details

Karatsu Castle (Maizuru-jo “Dancing Crane Castle”)

Address: Saga Pref. Karatsushi Higashijounai 8-1
Area: Karatsu / Yobuko / Genkai Area
Phone: 0955725697
Hours: 9:00-17:00
※depending on the season
Closed: 12/29-12/31
Fees: [Admission fee] [General] 500yen [Elementary and junior high school students] 250yen
Parking Lot: Available(170spaces)
Credit Card: Available (Store only VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Diners, Discover, UnionPay)
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Available
Note: Temporary suspension:Closed until May 31, 2020 (Information as of May 12, 2020)
* Information may be changed, so please be sure to check the official information.
Estimated stay time: 0-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Possible (using stair lift) * Suspended to prevent new coronavirus infection
Infant friendly: Yes (with nursing room)