Karatsu Castle Wisteria Viewing Guide

Here's my personal guide✅ to viewing the wisteria blossoms 🌸 at Saga's Karatsu Castle. I hope it helps with your trip! 📍Karatsu Castle, located on a hilltop in central Karatsu. The castle's upper tower and lower roofs resemble the head, body, and wings of a white crane, earning it the nickname "Dancing Crane Castle." 📅Bloom Time: Late April to mid-May, with the best viewing period lasting about two weeks. To see the wisteria in full bloom, be sure to check the bloom forecast for the year in advance so you don't miss the peak season. 🚗Transportation: From Fukuoka, take the JR to Karatsu Station. From there, it's about a 10-minute bus ride to Karatsu Castle. 💰Admission: Entry to Karatsu Castle Park is free. If you want to climb the castle tower, you'll need to purchase a ticket, which is very affordable and offers a panoramic view of the wisteria blossoms. 📷Photo Spots: The front of the castle tower is an excellent photo spot, where the ancient architecture and wisteria complement each other, creating photos with a historical ambiance. Under the wisteria tunnel, stand beneath the flower clusters and shoot upwards with the blue sky as your backdrop for stunning portraits. By the park's stone bridge, the water reflects the wisteria, creating a poetic and beautiful scene. 🍡Food: Try local specialties like Karatsuyaki tile crackers, which have a unique shape and crispy texture. There's also fresh kaisendon (seafood rice bowl), with various sashimi laid over rice for a sweet and satisfying bite. ❤️I hope everyone has a wonderful spring memory at Karatsu Castle!