Photo: Pekachu / CC BY-SA 4.0Open in Google Maps · Directions from your berth
Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada
The Karatsu Kunchi festival of 2–4 November sends 14 giant floats of washi, lacquer and gold leaf through the streets, each hauled by 200 to 400 people; the oldest, the red lion, dates from 1819. The festival is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. The hall keeps all 14 on show the rest of the year.
Three things the plaques won't tell you
- Check which hall: the floats move from Arpino to the new Karatsu Civic Hall, which opens on 25 September 2027. When the old hall closes for the move is not yet published.
- The new hall adds a 180-degree film of the festival.
- Both halls are indoors: the rain pick.
The hall keeps all 14 on show the rest of the year.
Questions people ask here
Where are the Karatsu Kunchi floats shown?
At the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall in Arpino, next to JR Karatsu Station, 09:00–17:00, adult ¥310. From 25 September 2027 they move to the new Karatsu Civic Hall beside Karatsu Jinja, open 09:00–21:00, ¥1,000 for visitors from outside Karatsu.
When is the Karatsu Kunchi festival?
2, 3 and 4 November every year. The new hall closes from 2 to 5 November while the floats are out.