Karatsu Kunchi is the autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, held every year on November 2–4. Fourteen giant floats called hikiyama—shaped like lions, a samurai helmet, a sea bream, and a mythical sea creature (shachi)—are pulled through the old castle town to flutes, drums, and cries of "Enya, Enya." They range from the No. 1 float, the "Red Lion" of Katana-machi, to the No. 14 "Shippomaru" of Egawa-machi, each standing over seven meters tall.
Recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, the festival draws more than 500,000 people over three days. This guide covers the 2026 dates and daily schedule, the festival's main highlight, and—since there are no paid seats—where to stand for the best view.
There are no paid grandstand seats at Karatsu Kunchi. The highlight is the "hikikomi" at noon on November 3, when all 14 floats are hauled into the sand at Nishi-no-hama.
For the wider picture, see our guide to Japan's autumn festivals.
Dates and daily schedule for 2026
In 2026, Karatsu Kunchi runs from Monday, November 2 to Wednesday, November 4. Karatsu City's official page (updated September 2026) lists the main times for each day.
Date | Event | Main times |
|---|---|---|
Mon, Nov 2 | Yoiyama (evening procession) | 19:00–21:30 (procession starts from Ote-guchi) |
Tue, Nov 3 (holiday) | Otabisho-shinko (shrine procession) | 9:30–16:30 (haul-in at noon, haul-out 15:00) |
Wed, Nov 4 | Yokujitsusai (final day) | 10:00–16:40 (lineup at noon, haul-out 14:30) |
Each day has a different character. If you can only go once, pick your day based on the scene you most want to see.
What to see on each day
The first night is Yoiyama. Lit by lanterns, the floats move through the dark castle town — a scene you'll only catch on this first night. The floats pass JR Karatsu Station during the evening procession (roughly 19:00–21:30), so if you wait by the station early, you can watch all 14 pass right in front of you.
Day two, the Otabisho-shinko, is the heart of the festival. The main venue is the Otabisho at Nishi-no-hama, on the coast northwest of Karatsu Shrine. At noon, the 14 floats—each weighing two to three tons—are hauled one after another into the sand. This "hikikomi" is the peak of the three days, as teams strain to drag the heavy floats across soft sand. The floats then stay lined up on the beach until the haul-out.
On day three, the Yokujitsusai, the floats wind slowly through town in daylight. They gather at noon on Komeyamachi street, near JR Karatsu Station, and are returned to the exhibition hall by evening. Crowds are lighter than on the 3rd, so this day suits anyone who wants a close look.
No paid seats: where to watch
Karatsu Kunchi has no paid grandstand (sajiki) seats — the Karatsu tourism association says so directly, so ignore any outdated listings that mention them. You can watch the floats for free from anywhere along the route.
The best spot is the Otabisho at Nishi-no-hama. The wide beach gives an open view, so it's easier to find a comfortable place and settle in. Because it is the highlight, the area is busiest around the noon haul-in—arrive before noon to get a place near the front.
Note that you cannot enter the procession route itself. Sitting in the road, using selfie sticks, and flying drones are all prohibited.
Access: Fukuoka to Karatsu, and getting around town
From Fukuoka, take a subway Kuko Line train that runs through to the JR Chikuhi Line. Fukuoka Airport to JR Karatsu Station takes about 1 hour 40 minutes and costs around 1,330 yen by IC card. Note that IC cards cannot be used on some sections of the Karatsu and Chikuhi lines, so you may need a paper ticket on those stretches.
The festival itself centers on Karatsu Shrine and, on the coast to its northwest, Nishi-no-hama (the Otabisho). The shrine is about a 10-minute walk from JR Karatsu Station, and the procession route is concentrated nearby, so you can get around on foot.
During the festival (November 2–4) there are traffic restrictions downtown, and roads and parking fill up. Karatsu City publishes the procession route and times; it is best to skip the car and come by public transport, following the city's guidance and on-site directions.
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Seeing the floats on other days
The 14 floats are normally on display at the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall. In 2026 this is the temporary hall inside Karatsu Furusato Kaikan Arpino; a permanent new hall next to Karatsu Shrine is due to open in spring 2027. Admission is 310 yen for adults and 150 yen for elementary and junior-high students, and hours are 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:40). It is closed on November 3 and 4 for the procession, so on festival days you'll be seeing the real floats out in the streets anyway.
Before you go
In past years, the shrine's guidance has stated that the festival proceeds as usual each day, with the times for moving the floats between neighborhoods adjusted according to the weather. No clear cancellation rule for severe weather is published, so check the forecast and the latest official notice before you set out.
With more than 500,000 visitors across three days, give yourself plenty of time and wear comfortable shoes. Early November evenings turn chilly, especially during the Yoiyama, so bring a warm layer.
Another Kyushu autumn festival worth seeing is Nagasaki Kunchi—see our Nagasaki Kunchi 2026 guide.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.
