KARATSU SHORE EXCURSION: KARATSU CASTLE, PINE FOREST & HIKIYAMA FLOATS

Karatsu is a small, friendly town on the north-west coast of Kyushu, known for pottery and its autumn festival.

The route (about 5 hours)

• Karatsu Castle on a hill over the bay, with a lift up from the town.
• Niji-no-Matsubara, a pine forest about 5 km long, planted along the beach 400 years ago.
• The Hikiyama exhibition hall with the huge lacquered floats (a lion, a red sea bream, a samurai helmet) pulled through town each November.
• A pottery shop or kiln for Karatsu ware.

Yobuko, a fishing village famous for fresh squid, is about 30 minutes away if you want a seafood lunch.

How our Japan shore excursions work

• Private tour for your group only, from about 5 people in a minivan up to 40 in a full coach.
• A licensed English-speaking local guide meets you at the cruise terminal.
• We plan the day around your ship's times and bring you back to the pier well before all-aboard.
• The times on this page are a guide. Send us your ship name and port date and we fit the day to it.

Included

• Licensed English-speaking guide
• Private vehicle with driver, highway tolls and parking
• Entrance fees for the sights listed in the route you choose

Not included

• Lunch and drinks (your guide will point you to a good place)
• Tips for the guide and driver

Price

The price per person depends on how many people are in your group: a group of 30 pays much less each than a group of 6. Tell us your ship, date and group size and we will send a price.

More in Japan: all Japan shore excursions. Other ports: Matsuyama, Muroran, Maizuru. Or see all our cruise port tours in Asia.