Hikiyama Exhibition Hall

Hikiyama Exhibition Hall

Hikiyama Exhibition Hall Karatsu Kunchi Festival is certainly the highlight event of Karatsu's autumn season. The hikiyama (or giant floats) which are the main stars of Kunchi, are on display all year round here at Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, which is located next to Karatsu Shrine. The history of hikiyama dates back to 1819 when Akajishi, or red lion, was made as an offering to the shrine. Since then a total of fifteen huge floats were made. Unfortunately, the Kurojishi, or black lion, disappeared in the middle of the Meiji Period but the remaining fourteen hikiyama floats have been carefully protected down through the years. Over 100 years since the first hikiyama was built, they were designated as Saga Prefectural Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties. Hikiyama are made by attaching several hundreds of pieces of washi paper to clay or wooden molds, attaching hemp, applying several layers of red, gold or silver lacquer, and then adding dazzling decorations as the final touch. Hikiyama floats weigh between 2 and 5 tones. Taking time and expert skill to make, these beautiful and majestic hikiyama would not look out of place in a scroll painting. Leaving a strong impression, hikiyama continue to constantly amaze people.

 


● Access:
From train station: 10-minute walk from Karatsu Station on the JR Karatsu Line and Chikuhi Line
Car: 40-minute drive from Nagasaki Expressway Taku IC
Bus: 3-minute walk from Oteguchi Bus Center


● Admission Fees: 300 yen for adult (15 years and older), 150 yen for child (4 - 14 years old), *20% discount applicable to groups of 20 or more people


● Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00


● Closed: The first Tuesday and Wednesday in December and December 29 - 31


● Parking Lot: Available


● Contact: Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, Tel: +81-955-73-4361

Map

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