Karatsu, Port city in Saga Prefecture, Japan
Karatsu is a port city on the northern coast of Kyushu, stretching between forested hills inland and a rocky coastline where the sea breaks against small bays. The city includes a historic district near the castle ruins, residential neighborhoods that climb gently toward the slopes, and an active harbor where fishing boats unload their catch in the morning.
During the Edo period, a local feudal lord administered the area from the castle overlooking the bay, controlling trade routes to Korea and China. The pottery tradition began in the 16th century when Korean potters were brought here, and their techniques still shape the workshops today.
The city has been known for its pottery for centuries, and several workshops open their doors to visitors who want to watch the artists at work. In the streets around the castle, small shops sell handmade ceramics, and many travelers join short workshops to shape a bowl themselves.
The central train station sits near the castle district, and from there most sights are within a 20-minute walk. Local buses connect more distant beaches and caves along the coast, and schedules are posted at the stops.
Along the coast east of the harbor, seven sea caves line up in a row, carved by waves into the basalt cliffs over thousands of years. Boats enter the chambers when the sea is calm, and visitors hear the echo of waves hitting the dark walls.
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