Karatsu combines coastal scenery, a reconstructed hilltop castle, and one of Japan’s most celebrated festivals, offering a compact but historically rich stop in Saga Prefecture.

Built into a steep hillside in Saga Prefecture, Yutoku Inari Shrine is one of Japan’s top three Inari shrines. Its elevated main hall, supported by vivid red pillars, offers sweeping views, peaceful forest trails, and a striking alternative to Kyoto’s more crowded shrine experiences.