Karatsu, Saga
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Karatsu 唐津市 |
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Top: View of Matsuura River and downtown Karatsu
2nd left: Oteguchi Bus Terminal, 2nd right:Karatsu Castle 3rd: Nijinomatsubara pine forest area Bottom: Karatsu Kunchi in November. |
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 Location of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture |
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 Karatsu
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| Coordinates: 33°27′N 129°58′E / 33.450°N 129.967°ECoordinates: 33°27′N 129°58′E / 33.450°N 129.967°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Kyushu | |
| Prefecture | Saga Prefecture | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Toshiyuki Sakai | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 487.42 km2 (188.19 sq mi) | |
| Population (March 1, 2010) | ||
| • Total | 127,766 | |
| • Density | 262/km2 (680/sq mi) | |
| Symbols | ||
| • Tree | Pine | |
| • Flower | Wisteria | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| City hall address | 1-1 Nishijōnai, Karatsu-shi, Saga-ken 847-8511 |
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| Website | www |
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Karatsu (唐津市 Karatsu-shi?) is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Its name, formed from the Japanese word roots 唐 kara (China, or continental East Asia in general), and 津 tsu (port), signifies its historical importance as an ancient trading port between Japan with China and Korea. The central area of Karatsu, which does not include the former cities and villages of Higashimatsuura District, has a population of 78,386.
As of March 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 127,766 and a population density of 262 persons per km². The total area is 487.42 km².
On January 1, 2005, the towns of Chinzei, Hamatama, Hizen, Kyūragi, Ōchi and Yobuko. and the village of Kitahata (all from Higashimatsuura District) were merged into Karatsu.
On January 1, 2006, the village of Nanayama (from Higashimatsuura District) was merged into Karatsu.
Due to its proximity to mainland Asia, Karatsu has long been known as a stopover to Korea and China.
Under ritsuryō, the current city area was part of the Hizen Province. In 1591, on the coast of the northern part of the city (formerly the town of Chinzei), Nagoya Castle was constructed. The following year, it became the location from which the Imjin War was launched by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In the middle of 1593, Terasawa Hirotaka created the Karatsu domain and began governing it. In 1602, replacing Nagoya Castle, Karatsu Castle was constructed in what is now the heart of Karatsu. The tower of Karatsu Castle was built in 1966 .
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