Highlights
- Nov 3 Otabisho Shinko: the floats are hauled into and out of the sandy Otabisho ground at Nishinohama
- Nov 2 Yoiyama from about 7:30pm: lantern-lit floats gather in front of Karatsu Shrine
- 14 floats in order of age, from the Red Lion of Katanamachi (No. 1) to the Shippo-maru of Egawamachi (No. 14)
- Hoo-maru (No. 6, Oishimachi) and Hiryu (No. 7, Shinmachi) turn 180 in 2026
- Free to watch, no paid seats
Background & story
A UNESCO-listed autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine held for over 400 years, famed for its papier-mache-and-lacquer floats.
Karatsu Kunchi 2026 runs Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November. According to the Karatsu Tourism Association's Japanese-language page, it is the autumn grand festival of Karatsu Shrine and is held every year on 2, 3 and 4 November. Watching is free and there are no paid viewing seats (checked 2026-10-13).
2026 schedule
| Date | Event | Timing (as the organiser describes it) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 Nov | Yoiyama (evening float parade) | Around 7:30pm the Katanamachi float sets off east from Ote-guchi; the others join in turn and all line up in front of Karatsu Shrine |
| Tue 3 Nov (holiday) | Otabisho Shinko | Around 9:30am the floats escort the portable shrine to the Otabisho on Nishinohama |
| Wed 4 Nov | Yokujitsu-sai (final day) | About 8 km through the old castle town on nearly the same route as the day before, without the portable shrine |
The organiser's Kunchi page does not give a start time for the final day. Most listings, including Nippon Travel Agency and Wikipedia, give 10:00am. For the 2026 time, call the Karatsu Tourism Association on +81-955-74-3355 (checked 2026-10-13).
What to see
- The beach pull (3 Nov): the organiser calls hauling the floats into and out of the sandy Otabisho ground the festival's highlight. The floats weigh 2 tonnes or more and their wheels sink into the sand.
- Yoiyama (2 Nov, evening): lantern-lit floats wind through the old town and all 14 gather in front of Karatsu Shrine.
- 14 floats in order of age: from No. 1, the Red Lion of Katanamachi, to No. 14, the Shippo-maru of Egawamachi.
- Two floats turn 180 in 2026: No. 6 Hoo-maru (Oishimachi) and No. 7 Hiryu, the flying dragon (Shinmachi), both built in 1846.
Getting there and parking
- The festival fills Karatsu Shrine and the streets of the old castle town. Karatsu Shrine says it is a 10-minute walk from JR Karatsu Station.
- The organiser asks visitors to use public transport, paid car parks or the temporary free car parks.
- The 2026 route map, temporary parking and road closures were not yet published on 2026-10-13 (the route page still shows the 2025 edition). In 2025 there were temporary free car parks around the city, including Matsuura Kahan Park, and no shuttle bus ran from Kahan Park to Karatsu Station.
- Enquiries: Karatsu Tourism Association +81-955-74-3355 / Karatsu Station Tourist Information +81-955-72-4963
Rules for spectators (from the organiser)
- Keep away from the floats and their ropes, and do not walk alongside or behind a moving float
- Leave the road wide open, especially at corners, and do not step onto the parade route
- No sitting on the road to watch, and no selfie sticks
- No drones on the parade route or around Karatsu Shrine
- Follow instructions from police and float crews
Some shops in central Karatsu close during the festival.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- 10-min walk from JR Karatsu Station Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families, groups of friends
Good to know
The 2026 route map, temporary parking and road closures were not yet published on 2026-10-13 (the official route page still shows 2025), so check the Karatsu Tourism Association page shortly before you go. The organiser asks visitors to come by public transport; in 2025 no shuttle bus ran from Kahan Park to Karatsu Station. No sitting on the road, no selfie sticks, no drones, and keep corners clear. Enquiries: Karatsu Tourism Association +81-955-74-3355, Karatsu Station Tourist Information +81-955-72-4963.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Karatsu Kunchi 2026?
- Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November 2026: Yoiyama on the 2nd, Otabisho Shinko on the 3rd (a national holiday) and the final-day parade on the 4th. The Karatsu Tourism Association's Japanese-language page says the festival is held every year on 2, 3 and 4 November (checked 2026-10-13).
- What time do the parades start?
- Yoiyama starts around 7:30pm on 2 November, when the Katanamachi float sets off from Ote-guchi. On 3 November the procession to the Otabisho starts around 9:30am. The organiser does not publish a start time for 4 November; most listings, including Nippon Travel Agency and Wikipedia, give 10:00am. For the 2026 time, call the Karatsu Tourism Association on +81-955-74-3355 (checked 2026-10-13).
- Where is the best place to see the beach pull?
- At the Otabisho (Myojindai) on Nishinohama during the 3 November Otabisho Shinko, when the floats are hauled into and out of the sandy ground. The organiser calls it the festival's highlight.
- Do I need a ticket or a paid seat?
- No. Watching is free, and the Karatsu Tourism Association states there are no paid viewing seats and warns readers about outdated information claiming otherwise (checked 2026-10-13).
- Is there parking, and are roads closed?
- The 2026 route map, temporary parking and road closures were not yet published on 2026-10-13. In 2025 there were temporary free car parks such as Matsuura Kahan Park, and no shuttle bus ran from Kahan Park to Karatsu Station. The organiser asks visitors to use public transport.
- What is not allowed when watching?
- The organiser bans sitting on the road to watch, selfie sticks, and drones on the parade route or around Karatsu Shrine. Keep away from moving floats and their ropes, and stay off the parade route.
Getting there
Karatsu Shrine and city streets / Nishinohama Beach — 3-13 Minamijonai, Karatsu, Saga
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