An Illustrated Japan / Saga / Culture & Tradition

Karatsu Kunchi

Also written: 唐津くんち · 唐津宫日节

An autumn grand festival where huge, brightly colored hikiyama floats parade through the streets; inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, its energetic spectacle astonishes visitors from around the world.

Saga Kyushu-Okinawa Culture & Tradition

About this place

Karatsu Kunchi is the principal autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine in Karatsu City, Saga, held November 2–4, with the eve float pull Yoiyama on the 2nd, the Otabisho Shinko on the 3rd, and the Yokujitsu Matsuri on the 4th. Rooted in a mikoshi procession said to have begun in the Kanbun era (1661–73), the first hikiyama float, the red lion Akajishi, was dedicated in 1819, and by 1876 fifteen floats had been built, of which fourteen survive. Each of the fourteen towns owns one float, constructed by the kanshitsu (dry lacquer) technique, layering 200-plus sheets of washi over a clay mold, coating with lacquer many times, and finishing with gold and silver leaf. The resulting 2–3 ton floats, valued at 100–200 million yen in today's terms, parade through the former castle town to the calls of “Enya, Enya” and “Yoisah, Yoisah” accompanied by flutes, drums and bells. The sandy plaza called Sunaji, the current Otabisho, is the climax where floats are hauled through deep sand. The 14 floats are designated Prefectural Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties (1958), the festival as National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property (1980), and in 2016 inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list as part of Yama, Hoko, Yatai Float Festivals. The 2024 edition drew a record 640,000 visitors, showing the pride and community cohesion of the town teams who preserve the craft and train year-round.