A Scenic Coastal Castle with Bay Views from the Tower—Affectionately Known as Maizuru Castle
About this spot
A rare castle by the sea standing atop Manshima, a promontory in Karatsu Bay. The arcing Niji no Matsubara (Rainbow Pine Forest) and sandy beach spreading left and right of the main tower resemble a crane with wings spread, earning it the affectionate nickname 'Maizuru Castle' (Crane Castle). Built by Terazawa Hirotaka, a samurai of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the current main tower now serves as an observation facility. From its top floor, enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of the Niji no Matsubara, Karatsu Bay, and the Karatsu townscape. It's also known as a spot for wisteria and cherry blossoms; the sight of seasonal flowers with the white tower is spectacular. In addition to stone steps leading from the base, a paid inclined elevator has been installed for ascending the slope.
Tips
Stone steps lead from the base to the main tower, but if you want to conserve energy, the paid inclined elevator is convenient. On windy days, the observation floor at the top may have strong sea breezes, so hold your hat by hand to keep it from blowing away. Early morning sees fewer tourists, and the morning sun light beautifully illuminates the Niji no Matsubara.
Best time to visit
Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. In morning light, the Niji no Matsubara and Karatsu Bay are most brilliantly blue.
Access & map
〒847-0016 Saga Prefecture, Karatsu City, Higashijoenai 8−1
Model course featuring this spot
Karatsu: A Day Strolling Through the Castle Town with Sea Breezes, Karatsu Castle and Niji no Matsubara
Saga
Explore features & model courses
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