- Culture
- Saga
Niji-no-Matsubara Pine Grove
Niji no Matsubara stands alongside Miho no Matsubara (Shizuoka Prefecture) and Kehi no Matsubara (Fukui Prefecture) as one of the three great pine groves of Japan. It is said to have its beginnings in pine trees planted along the beach on the shore as protection against the wind and tide by Terasawa Shima-no-Kami Hirotaka, lord of the Karatsu Domain, approximately 400 years ago.
Today, approximately one million pines, mainly Japanese black pines, line a stretch of land extending 4.5 km from east to west. This is said to be the most beautiful pine grove in Japan.
Mount Kagami Observatory
On Mount Kagami, close to Niji no Matsubara, there is a terrace from which you can gaze out over the bay of Karatsu and Niji no Matsubara. The peak of Mount Kagami forms a large park, featuring a pond with a circumference of 400 meters and Kagamiyama Shiratama Shrine. It attracts many visitors who come to see flowers during the cherry blossoms of April and the azaleas of May. It has recently become possible to enjoy hang gliding from here.
Location
| Name | Niji-no-Matsubara Pine Grove |
|---|---|
| Web Sites | (In Japanese) https://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/bunka/tanbo/shizen/matsubara.html |
| Address | Niji no Matsubara, Karatsu-shi, Saga |
| Access | 40 minutes' drive from Taku IC on Nagasaki Expressway |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0955-72-4963 (Karatsu Station Tourist Information Office) |
| Name | Mount Kagami Observatory |
|---|---|
| Web Sites | (In Japanese) http://www.city.karatsu.lg.jp/machidukuri/machi/toshi/kouen/terrace.html |
| Address | Mount Kagami Peak, Kagami, Karatsu-shi, Saga |
| Access | 40 minutes' drive from Taku IC on Nagasaki Expressway |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0955-72-4963 (Karatsu Station Tourist Information Office) |
| Admission | Free admission |