■Karatsunmon dayori ●December 2nd, 2009● Illumination at Sari Hot Spring The 38th news letter " Karatsunmon dayori " issued by Saga prefecture Karatsu Tourism Association. We provide you events・sight-seeing information. 【INDEX】 Special features : Illumination of Karatsu 　■ Ikasu (means "nice") Christmas Tree & events　～Yobukocho～ 　■ The power of the residents in the area produce beautiful illumination 　　～Hamatamacho Ooe area～ 　■ Garden Illumination 2009 ～Ouchicho Sari Hot Spring～ 　■ Hand made illumination spread around new bed town 　　～Ouchicho Nakayama area houses & arcade in front of JR Ouchi station～ 　■ Rice paddy field of Hamanoura ・ Saint place for lovers 　　 Christmas Illumination ～Genkaicho～ 　■ 180 meter high chimney is the canvas. Let's get together and 　　make a huge tree of light ・Recruiting 10,000 persons for Mega Tree Owners 　　　 ～Karatsu Mega Tree Project～ 　　● Enjoy luxury! ～Mega Tree Cruising～ Sight seeing spot・event preview 　■ " Come on Karatsu " Chonin Matsuri Fuyunoichi 2009 　■ Winter taste ～Year End ・New Year Yobuko morning market～ Recruiting participants 　■ Music producer Yoshihiko Nishio selects the future star 　　 " Karatsu Junior Music Festival 2010 " Recruiting participants!! 　■ ATA Dayori 　 ～Houtou Shrine and Houman Shrine Good Luck Prayer Bus Tour～ 　■ Karatsu Ware Story 　　The 9th Variety of Karatsu Ware ～No.4 ～ 　■ Karawan Diary (3) 　 ～ Karawan in December recommended event " Merry Christmas at the library! " ～ Karatsu Yomoyama Story 　■ Castle town " Walk around! " No.8 　　・ Zaimoku machi 　■ The place noted in connection with Hawks in Karatsu Special features : Illumination of Karatsu ■ Ikasu (means "nice") Christmas Tree & Event ～Yobukocho～ Ikasu( means "nice") Christmas Tree Christmas presents for tourists The special tree showed up in the Yobuko morning market this year. The name is " Ikasu Christmas Tree. " The hight is about 5 meters. 5,000 light balls are used. It is a small tree, but locates in bay town, Yobuko. Therefore, fishing net is used. Blue ball images blue ocean. Colorful shells are decorated on the tree. The bright squid shines on the top. Dried fish and squid are used as ornament. They are vacuum-packed. During the illuminated period, they are refilled. Tourists are able to take one per person. Recently, the number who wants these dried fish have increased. There is a rumor that the tree will change to something else after the illumination is over. Wait and see.... ☆Tree Illumination 【PERIOD】 Until December 26 (SAT), 2009 【HOURS】 18：00～22：00 ☆Event " Present from Morning market Santa " 【DATE】 December 6 (SUN), 2009　 8:10～ until the last present given away (Lottery starts at 8:20. Estimated time of ending is about 10:00am.) On this day, plenty Santas come out on the Yobuko morning market street. Aunties are putting on Santa clothes and waiting for you. The morning market starts at 7:30 am. After you get there, please receive lottery mount and enjoy shopping. It doesn't matter from who you buy, just collect two stamps. After the mount was filled, please challenge lottery under the tree. You might win general merchandise, fresh vegetables, dried fish, ika shumai, cruise ship ticket, meal ticket, or hotel ticket and so on...... No one draw a blank. If you stay at a hotel in Yobuko the night before, you get one stamp. All you have to do is to buy a souvenir. Then you are ready to draw! Let's challenge! Aunties in Santa clothes welcome you at Yobuko morning market [CONTACT] 　Karatsu Tourism Association Yobuko information counter 　PHONE : 0955-82-3426 ■ The power of the residents in the area produces beautiful illumination ～Hamatamacho Ooe area～ The big Christmas tree standing in the field. 13 meter high tree shows up this year. 　 The big Christmas tree and light tunnel You can see small kids playing inside of the light tunnel. Ooe district, Hamatamacho, Karatsu city. This peaceful town changes to beautiful light town in December. This is the 10th Ooe district Christmas Illumination. Houses are lighted up. 13 meter high Christmas Tree is decorated in the field and about 8,000 light emitting diodes perform brilliant space. This illumination is absolutely fantastic. Actual expenses for this event were paid by local residents. Their unity made up this beautiful performance. This year is the 10th one. It was upgraded. Please come and enjoy beautiful illumination world. ☆Christmas Illumination at Ooe, Hamatamacho, Karatsu city Big and small Christmas Trees are decorated in the field. 【LOCATION】 Ooe district, Hamatamacho 【PERIOD】 December 1 (TUE) ～ January 9 (SAT) * Lighted up btw.　18:00～23:00 【CONTACT】 Karatsu Tourism Association Hamatama branch PHONE : 0955-56-6937 ■ Garden Illumination 2009 ～Ouchicho Sari Hot Spring～ This pyramid shaped building covered with magic mirrors all over is the hot spring for women. This is the symbol of Sari Hot Spring and decorated by illumination and flowers for people to enjoy. Sari Hot Spring Toeiso started garden illumination since 12 years ago. 12,000 light balls are used. The blue light is very beautiful and make you feel like being in aero space. Illuminated pyramid in the garden is actually the hot spring covered by glass walls. This building is the symbol of Sari Hot Spring and for women only. Flowers are blooming inside of it and surround the hot spring. Female customers are able to enjoy the illumination outside through the magic mirrors. The water is alkaline and effective for making beautiful skin. Not only this " Flower Hot Spring ", but also " Kusunoki Hot Spring " surrounded by grove, " Komorebi Hot Spring " which is open air bath (for men only), they have. Please visit Sari Hot Spring. (Fees: adult 600yen, child 300yen) ☆ Illumination 【PERIOD】 December 1 (Tue), 2009 ～ March 24 (Wed), 2010 【LIGHTING HOURS】 Sunset ～ 21:00pm 【LOCATION】 Garden of Sari Hot Spring, Sari, Karatsu city 【CONTACT】 Sari Hot Spring Toeiso　PHONE : 0955-62-3218 ■ Hand made illumination spread around new bed town. 　　　～Ouchicho Nakayama area houses & arcade in front of JR Ouchi station～ Not to be stereotyped, they change the electric decorations every year. Picture contribution:Mr. Okusa Yasuyuki(Furusatojuku) 　http://www2.saganet.ne.jp/ankou/ Nakayama district is the housing area spread along Kyuragi river in Ouchicho. Since 2004, the number of houses have increased in the region. Several houses have started decorating illumination in their yards. Not to be stereotyped, they made changes every year, and gradually decorations became fancy. Year after year, the illumination has spread in the area and gotten bigger and bigger. The local chamber of commerce started illumination in front of the JR Ouchi station, and the houses and shops near there started immitating also. 　 Illumination decorated in front of Ouchi Station by local Chamber of Commerce. 【LIGHTING PERIOD】 　 Middle of November ～27 of December, 2009 【CONTACT】 Karatsu Tourism Association Ouchi branch PHONE : 0955-51-8312　 ■ Rice paddy field of Hamanoura. Saint place for lovers Christmas Illumination 　　～Genkaicho～ " Rice paddy field of Hamanoura " is certified for the 44th " Saint place for lovers " in 2007, as most appropriate place for propose by selecting committee include designer Katsura Yumi. 　 " Saint place for lovers Christmas Illumination " will be lighted up at " Rice paddy field of Hamanoura " in Genkaicho. During the period, Christmas tree is set up near " Saint place for lovers monument " and decorated. " Rice paddy field of Hamanoura " is certified for the 44th " Saint place for lovers " in 2007 as most appropriate place for propose by selecting committee include popular designer Katsura Yumi. How about spending wonderful winter night at " Rice paddy field of Hamanoura・St. place for lovers Christmas Illumination " with someone special. 【LIGHTING PERIOD】 December 12(Sat) ～December 25(Fri), 2009 【LOCATION】 Rice Paddy Field of Hamanoura Hamanoura, Genkaicho, Higashimatsuura-gun 【CONTACT】 Karatsu Tourism Association Genkai Branch PHONE:0955-51-3007 ■ 180 meter high chimney is the canvas. Let's get together and make a huge tree of light. Recruiting 10,000 Mega tree owners!! ～Karatsu Mega Tree Project～ Image of lighted up Mega Tree Whenever you go up on a hill, you can see the two huge chimneys of thermal power plant standing by Karatsu port. These are 180 meter high. Karatsu Mega Tree Project has a theme; " Let's make a huge tree of light using the chimney! " We are planning to use one of these chimneys this year. We are widely recruiting Mega Tree Owners!! Supporters receive Owner Certificates and will be registered on the Mega Tree homepage. They receive privileges whenever they do the Mega Tree related events. Mega Tree Project Team are recruiting 10,000 persons. 1,000yen per person. Owner Certificate is valid as long as the lights are up. To make the new sightseeing symbol of Karatsu in winter, please participate. Thank you for your cooperation. 【LIGHTING PERIOD】 Dec 24(Thu), 2009 ～ Feb 28 (Sun), 2010 【OBJECT】 Individual, group, Organization etc 【PARTICIPATION FEE】 1,000yen per person 【CONTACT】 Karatsu Tourism Association " Karatsu Mega Tree Project Committee " PHONE: 0955-74-3355 【URL】 http://www.karatsu-kankou.jp/megatree/ 　　　Enjoy luxury! ～Mega Tree Cruising～ AMI CRUISE CLUB produces Karatsu ocean cruising tour by Yamaha CR27 cruiser and commences Mega Tree Night Cruising Tour during Mega Tree lighting up period. After departing the port, enjoy looking up brilliant Mega Tree and lighted up Karatsu Castle from the sea. It is amazing view! You can hardly experience this romantic luxury from the land. Feel free to bring in snacks or beverages if you would like to. If you show your Mega Tree Owner Certificate when you ride the boat, you can get 500yen discount. Tour is riding together with other customers. If you would like to charter, please contact Captain Miyazaki at 090-4513-6143. 【LOCATION]】 　 3-11-20 Futago, Karatsu City (in front of Miyazaki Real Estate ) YAMAHA CR27 Cruiser Feel free to bring in snacks & beverages. The bathroom is very clean. Comfortable for women! 【PARKING SPACE】 Three car spaces are available. 【FEES】 Mega Tree Cruising About 30 min: 2,500yen per person Under 12 years old is 1,000yen per child *Mega Tree Owners get 500yen discount. (MAX 8 persons) *Minimum pax to depart cruising is 2 persons. 【CONTACT・RESERVATION】 PHONE:090-4513-6143 (Captain Miyazaki) 【URL】 http://amiclub.yu-nagi.com/ Sightseeing spot・event preview ■ " Kitenne Karatsu " Chonin Matsuri Fuyunoichi 2009 characters on the stage 　 Have some fun with characters Characters will come to the arcade area in central Karatsu city. About 20 Yuru characters from all over Japan include our Karatsu city character " Karawan " come and share wonderful time with people in Karatsu. Some other events such as local products sale, pounding mochi, kindergarten kids Christmas concert will be held. Forget about busy end of the year for a while and enjoy happy relaxing time at Fuyunoichi 2009. 　☆Stage Event Schedule Oteguchi Temporary Stage ・Karawan and buddies gathering Part 1 11:00～11:50 ・FM Saga live broadcasting " Odekake Housoukyoku in Karatsu Chonin Matsuri " 12:00～12:30 ・Brass Band Joint Concert Karatsu W HS, Karatsu Kougyou HS 12:40～13:10 ・Karawan and buddies gathering Part 2 13:20～14:20 ・Joint Singing Show Roppongi Hiroshi & Honney voice☆Tomonori 14:30～16:00 【DATE】 December 19 (Sat) 【LOCATION】 Karatsu City central arcade area 【PEDESTRIAN ONLY】 Oteguchi Hiroba 　10:00～17:00　　Nakamachi St.　12:00～17:00 【CONTACT】 Karatsu City Shigaichi Kasseika Suishinshitsu PHONE:0955-53-7500 Karatsu Tourism Association Information Desk PHONE: 0955-72-4963 ■ Taste of winter 　　～End of the year ・New Year Yobuko Morning Market～ Winter seafoods and products are on sale at Yobuko Morning Market. 　 At the Morning Market, winter seafoods such as oyster, sea cucumber, sunfish started showing up. Others are like Mizu and Kou squid. vegetables are like Chinese cabbage, potatoes, tsukune potatoes. Dried stuff are like seasonal mackerel milinboshi, mizu squid ichiyaboshi. They are all fresh and tasty. Well, unfortunately, sea-ears and turbos are not there, yet. Don't worry! They start harvesting those after December 20th. Until the end of December, they sell hand made buckweat noodles, hand made New Year decorations, dried persimmons, round mochi, sea urchins etc.... In addition, vegetables are recommended; especially sweet potatoes. They made new kind of sweet potatoes, which have ridiculously long name. The last part of the name is " 28gou ", so people nicknamed them " Tetsujin 28 gou." On the Morning Market street, there is a popular meat shop, which sells Saga beef. Yobuko Morning Market is open until 31 of December, so please stop by and enjoy shopping for the New Year. The New Year Day is off. Yobuko Morning Market starts from 2nd of January. On 2nd of January, fish and shells are not available because fisher men don't go out for fishing on the New Year Day. They start selling dried stuff and vegetables. Sea-ears and turbos are perfect for New Year dishes! 【LOCATION]】 Morning Market street, Yobukocho, Karatsu City 　 【HOURS】 (OFF on New Year Day) 7：30～12：00 【CONTACT】 Karatsu Tourism Association Yobuko Branch 　 PHONE:0955-82-3426 　(OFF 12/31～1/2) Recruiting participants ■ Music producer Nishio Yoshihiko selects future star. " Karatsu Junior Music Festival 2010 " recruiting participants!! 　　 Last year commendation Left is Mr. Nishio Yoshihiko Mr.Nishio Yoshihiko is from Karatsu and runs Music School "Voice." He is active on the front line of Japanese Music Scene and has produced Ayaka, Yui, and Maria etc.... He makes action to tell the importance of searching for their dreams to young generation. The 3rd " Karatsu Junior Music Festival <<Nishio Yoshihiko Music Award>> " is one of them. The age range is from 9 years old to 23 years old. Mr. Nishio said, " I'd like to find and raise professional musicians and make vigorous Karatsu through music. " 　 Click to enlarge 【FIRST EXAM】 　 December 25 (Fri), 2009 【DATE】 February 21 (Sun), 2010 13：00～17：00 【LOCATION】 Bunka Taiikukan Bunka Hall, Karatsu City 【SPONSOR】 Karatsu City Bunka Shinkou Zaidan Karatsu Junior Music Festival 2010 Jikkoiinkai, Karatsu City Educational Committee 【CONTACT】    Karatsu Junior Music Festival 2010 Jikkoiinkai Office PHONE:0955-72-8278     　URL：http://web.people-i.ne.jp/~k-bunkashinko-j2/music/ ■ ATA Dayori 　 ～Houtou Shrine & Houman Shrine ・ Good Luck Prayer Bus Tour～ Due to great popularity, Good Luck Prayer Bus Tour is scheduled this year also! You might win a big fortune.... 　1. First of all, get rid of all the bad luck of this year. 　2. Next, go to Takashima " Houtou Shrine " and pray!　 　3. At secret good luck spot by the border of Nijino Matsubara clan, pray toward Kashiwajima! 　4. Booming secretly?? Pray at " Houman Shrine." 【TOUR PRICE】 ７，７７７yen (include tax) 【DATE】 December 12 (Sat:Taian) December 16 (Wed:Taian) December 20(Sun) * Accompanied by tour guide 【MEETING LOCATION】 JR Karatsu Station 【MEETING TIME】 　９：３０ am 【DEPARTURE TIME】 １０：００ am 【MINIMUM PAX】 ２０ persons 　Karatsu Tourism Association ATA 　(Karatsu Yokabai Club) 　　PHONE:0955-74-3612 　　FAX:0955-74-3612 　　http://www.yokabai-tabiclub.jp　 ■ Karatsu Ware Story 　 The 9th ～Variety of Karatsu Ware No.4/Kobiki Karatsu 　 Kobiki Karatsu uses darker color clay. While it's not dried completely yet, cover it up with kesho clay. After it's dried, poor choseki glaze or mokuhai glaze over it. Because of kesho clay, the surface is very smooth. ■ Karawan Diary (3) Hello, everyone! Merry Christmas! Chrismas decoration is everywhere in town. Karawan wonders what Santa's gift is this year. It's getting colder day by day, so be careful not to catch cold. Keep warm! I, Karawan went to many places in November. At " Habuhabu Festa " sponsored by Saga Newspaper office, twelve Yuru characters got together and had some fun with local people. Yuru character in Saga on stage Becomming friends with ultra men The home game of professional bascketball bj league " Rising Fukuoka" was held at Bunka taiikukan, Karatsu city for two days. Karawan performed dance and wave with cheer leaders during half-time and the entrance of players. How was the effect? They were excellent games. They won two times continuously. Congraturations! Karawan's passionate dance!　 Hot cheer leaders! If you'd like to see more Karawan, please go to" Karawan's blog. " Karawan is good at playing drums.　 Karawan is advertizing Karatsu burger. ●Karawan in December 　No. 1 recommended event " Merry Christmas at the library! " This time I'm going to introduce " Merry Christmas at the library! " Christmas event will be held at art hall on the first floor in the library on December 13 (Sun). It includes hand bell music show, Christmas mini concert, doll play " Little Red Riding Hood ", English Christmas by ALT. It will be held at 10:30am and 13:30pm. The presents for kids will be distributed. Admission fee is free. Please come and join our Christmas at the Karatsu city library. Karawan will be there, too. 【DATE】 December 13 (Sun) 　AM Part from 10:30~ (About 1 hour) 　PM Part from 13:30~ (about 1 hour) 【LOCATION】 1st floor Art Hall in Karatsu City Library 【CONTACT】 Karatsu City Library　PHONE:0955-72-3467 * There is a possibility to be cancelled due to flu influence. Christmas mini concert　 Karawan is waiting for you at the entrance. You might meet Karawan Santa. Karatsu Yomoyama Story ■ Castle town " Walk around ! " 　 Karatsu Castle picture map * Click to enlarge 　Present row of houses in Karatsu was made when Toyotomi Hideyoshi had ordered Mr. Terasawa Shimanokami to be the first Karatsu clan. Even now the same town and street names have been used. Let us introduce these names and also new ones, which were made due to road maintenance. No.8 " Zaimoku machi " Zaimokumachi St. 　 Zaimokumachi north side landfill border line Zaimokumachi is bigger town than others and runs east to west. After Meiji period, the north side of Zaimokumachi had been reclaimed, and new towns like Chiyodamachi, Sakaemachi were born. Before that, the area was Matsuura river and used to be used as timber yard. This town had a previlege to sell charcoals, so people couldn't get them without dealing with people in Zaimokumachi. Timber dealer Miyazaki family, charcoal business owner Hiramatsu family, senior town official Matsuyakiyama family, used to work there. Taguchi family, Kawasaki family used to run business as freight boat dealer. Ochiai family, Sasaki family used to make boats. When Karatsu castle was built, Mantousan inari was moved from Mantou mountain to Zaimokumachi. Presently, it is used as community hall. There was a town called Shioyamachi between Zaimokumachi and Uoyamachi. During Meiji period, Shioyamachi was combined with Zaimokumachi. Shinshyu branch, Fukusei temple used to be located in Shioyamachi; however, it was moved to present Nishikaratsu in 1917. Zaimokumachi dedicated 3rd Hikiyama, Turtle & Urashima Taro to Karatsu Shrine at Karatsu Kunchi. Old paintings of Karatsu Kunchi shows Treasure Ball instead of Urashima Taro. 　 Mantousan Inari Mantousan Inari Stone Statue Turtle and Treasure ball ■ The place noted in connection with Hawks in Karatsu. 　 Karatsu City and professional baseball team, " Fukuoka Soft Bank Hawks " declared total communication through sports in February 2006, aiming to raise healthy future generation, and to develope sports. We do have people and places noted connection with Hawks in Karatsu. Memorable two players Two framed relieves are hung in baseball field in Karatsu city to praise their efforts. Fujii Masao (left), Kizuka Tadasuke (right) 1-1,Odoi, Watada, Karatsu city PHONE:0955-72-7273 Mr. Fujii Masao (No15) was from Karatsu and contributed to lead Hawks to No.1 in entire Japan in 1999 and won more title than anybody else as pitcher in Pacific League. However, he died of age 31 due to lung cancer in 2000 without experiencing Major at all. Following his will, his close friends of players come to the baseball class run by Fujii Masao Support Group and teach baseball to kids in Karatsu every year. Mr. Kudo Kimiyasu who has backed on to The Lions since last year and Mr. Aragaki Nagisa joined the class in January this year. Next, Mr. Kizuka Chyusuke is also from Karatsu and entered " Nankai Hawks " ( present Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS ) after World War II and contributed to the team with his strong shoulder as shortstop base man. He won the title of " The King of Stolen Bases " for four times continuously. Whenever he ran, he reached second or third base; therefore, he was said, " His single hit means three-base hit." During 12 years as player, he was selected for "The Best Nine " for 7 times, and All-Star Games for 6 times. He was also chosen to be the representative of Japan team for Japan v.s. The U.S. baseball games. At last, he retired at the age of 34. He hit home run only for 42 times; however, he made inside-the part home run for 5 times. That is the Japanese record even now. To praise these two players, there are relieves in the baseball field in Karatsu city. " The Shrine of victory " Eagles are dedicated to Suwa Shrine. 1181 Hamasaki, Hamatamacho, Karatsu city PHONE:0955-56-6241 　 You can see the picture of victory prayer and the message from the manager Mr. Oh. Suwa Shrine in Hamatamacho is known that Ootomono Sadehiko had deified Suwamyojin to protect warship of Jingukougou when they suppressed Shiragi ( Present Korea ) about 1,500 years ago. Therefore, this shrine has divine favor of victory. Furthermore, this shrine has a romantic legend of hawk trainer, Sairai from Kudara and Suwa queen. A hawk that Kudara had donated to Yamatochotei as gift connected Sairai and Suwa queen. When they went to training with the hawk at Hamasaki beach, it was killed by snake. The insident was shock for her. She felt guilty and killed herself. Sairai grieved over her death. He didn't go back to Kudara and prayed for her and the hawk for the rest of his life. In 2007, Fukuoka Softbank Hawks related people and Hamatamacho fan club came down to this Shrine to pray for the victory. The picture they took at that time and the message Mr. Oh left are on the board in the yard. " The island where victory monument of hawks is located." Takashima-Hizen Bridge 　 Victory " Hawks " memorial monument written by Chairman Mr. Oh. Mongol Village:1646-1 Aoumen, Takashimacho, Matsuura city Phone:0955-48-2331 Takashima is in Nagasaki prefecture. To get there without using boat, you have to use the Takashima-Hizen Bridge. Japanese troops fought against Genko from Mongol and won by Kamikaze on this island, also. The population is about 2,500 people. You can hardly see the traffic lights. Please enjoy calm, peaceful scene of this island. Mongol village has been visited by many tourists due to the breath taking view. There are monuments written " victory " by Chairman Mr. Oh. The monuments consists of three stones and hawks. Many people take pictures in front of them.