Karatsu: Festival Floats, Deep Community Spirit
journeys in japan

Karatsu Kunchi is a three-day festival held in November each year in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. The highlight is the gigantic floats known as hikiyama that are hauled through the streets of the old town. This tradition has a history dating back more than 300 years. In 2016, the festival was included in UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Kyle Card visits Karatsu to discover the spirit of Kunchi. He observes the 14 floats, which each belong to a different neighborhood. And he meets some of the men who make this event happen.

Duration: 28 minutes and 3 seconds

Episode Number: 436

About Journeys In Japan:

The lifestyle series JOURNEYS IN JAPAN, provides an eye-opening look at the many unique places to visit in Japan.

English-speaking visitors travel the length of the country, exploring the culture, meeting the local people, visiting historic sites and offering travel hints rarely found in guidebooks.


Future Broadcast times for "Journeys In Japan": (show all)

Sun, Apr 5 10:30 A.M. Journeys In Japan     NH Create (11.4)
Sun, Apr 12 10:30 A.M. Journeys In Japan     NH Create (11.4)
Sun, Apr 19 10:30 A.M. Journeys In Japan     NH Create (11.4)
Sun, Apr 26 10:30 A.M. Journeys In Japan     NH Create (11.4)


NHPBS Over-the-Air Broadcast

WENH-TV Ch. 11 Durham

WLED-TV Ch. 48 Littleton

WEKW-TV Ch. 18 Keene

W50DP-D Ch. 50 Hanover

W34DQ-D Ch. 34 Pittsburg

Cable and Satellite Channels


NHPBS Five Channels

NHPBS - 11.1

Explore - 11.2

World - 11.3

Create - 11.4

Kids - 11.5

All of our channels and NHK World Japan are streaming LIVE ONLINE and on the PBS App, available on most devices.

Learn More


 

Community Impact

NHPBS NHPBS Passport Passport

History with David Rubenstein | Ben Steil
The Making of The American Revolution | The Making of The American Revolution
Nature | The Greatest Adventure | Parenthood
Finding Your Roots | Artistic Roots
Antiques Roadshow | Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Hour 2
American Masters | Sun Ra: Do The Impossible [EAD]
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History |
NOVA | Mammal Origins
Austin City Limits | Leon Thomas
Secrets of the Dead | The Quest for Camelot
Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine | Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine
Raise Your Head Up: Freedom Colonies in America | Raise Your Head Up: Freedom Colonies in America
A Fuller Education | A Fuller Education
North to New York: The Great Migration in NY's Capital Region | North to New York: The Great Migration in NY's Capital Region
Bigger than Africa | Bigger Than Africa
The Puzzle Lady | Episode 1
All Creatures Great and Small | Episode 1: Gathering the Flock
American Experience | Bombshell
From That Small Island: The Story of the Irish | New Worlds
London's New Year's Day Parade | The London Parade 2026
Rome New Year's Day Parade 2026 | Rome New Year's Day Parade 2026
Bookish | Slightly Foxed, Part 1
Happiness | Episode 1
Great Performances | Nutcracker from English National Ballet
Miss Scarlet | Episode 3: The Delivery
POV | Between Goodbyes
Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir | Hope of the Season: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir
London Parade - A Tribute to 40 Years | London Parade - A Tribute to 40 Years
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years to Come | The St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years to Come
Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen | Charlotte Church