PLACES TO EAT • DRINK • RELAX
While there are a lot of things to do and see in the area, its hard to know which places are have the best food, will be friendly to foreigners, or where to go to have a cold drink in a great atmosphere. The following is a list comprised by the Karatsu Foreigners Club of places we like and frequent in town. Not everything is going to be high end on this list, but these are the places you'll get the unique local dish, that secret piece of information that makes this place truly interesting or have a great laugh over a beer with a local. Some of these places are actually owned wholly or in part by the foreigners living here, but they are not affiliated with this list in any way. These are just the places we enjoy.
Looking for some more touristy stuff?
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF PLACES TO GO.
Having trouble getting around Karatsu or communicating with local shop owners? Try DOGANSHITATO, its an app available for iOS or Android provided by the local government. They can help you get around, will translate with shop owners in multiple languages and can provide you will lots of useful information. Plus, its free.
Looking for some more touristy stuff?
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF PLACES TO GO.
Having trouble getting around Karatsu or communicating with local shop owners? Try DOGANSHITATO, its an app available for iOS or Android provided by the local government. They can help you get around, will translate with shop owners in multiple languages and can provide you will lots of useful information. Plus, its free.
HAREYA
HAREYA is a FANTASTIC little yakitori shop on Nakamachi street, right in the middle of town. Run by a charming Japanese couple, this is the place for the authentic Izakaya experience. Hareya has a unique charm to it and the food is unbelievably good, on the cheaper side and highly recommended by the locals in town.
Yakitori at a counter mostly, with local delicacies and a great atmosphere. Hareya is open until midnight, last order is at 11:30.
Yakitori at a counter mostly, with local delicacies and a great atmosphere. Hareya is open until midnight, last order is at 11:30.
ZERO
ZERO is an authentic, truly authentic, little Japanese bar close to the Bus Center in the middle of town. While Karatsu has its shares of small places, Zero is a place you'll remember forever with just one beer. Very little else like it, yet its the quintessential Japanese experience.
Wood counter bar, seats about a dozen friendly faces. Foreigner friendly, english speaking owner (kind of) cheap, and a fun place to end your night. Open late and two blocks from the bus center.
Wood counter bar, seats about a dozen friendly faces. Foreigner friendly, english speaking owner (kind of) cheap, and a fun place to end your night. Open late and two blocks from the bus center.
JOOK
DJs • Darts. Drinks
JOOK is the late night mainstay bar, restaurant and de facto club space in the area. It has dart machines, a wicked sound system and a great vibe with the local DJ's and music groups in Karatsu. Most major music events and running parties will be found at Jook during the month, as well as local darts tournaments and other one off parties.
Jook has a full bar and also serves food, is open late and is located two blocks from the bus center.
JOOK is the late night mainstay bar, restaurant and de facto club space in the area. It has dart machines, a wicked sound system and a great vibe with the local DJ's and music groups in Karatsu. Most major music events and running parties will be found at Jook during the month, as well as local darts tournaments and other one off parties.
Jook has a full bar and also serves food, is open late and is located two blocks from the bus center.
CAFE DIRO
CAFE DIRO is a cute little cafe and dining spot across the street from Karatsu Station. Its called a 'Cafe" but they serve alcohol and have a decent menu of Japanese and Western food. If you have had a long day, or are about to start one, Cafe Diro is a good bet for getting ready to see all the spots around town or catching a bite before you hop on the train.
Popular with the "Yuri on Ice" travelers, You can get some themed drinks here before you head out to Kagamiyama Onsen.
Popular with the "Yuri on Ice" travelers, You can get some themed drinks here before you head out to Kagamiyama Onsen.
KARATSU BURGER
KARATSU BURGER is probably the most famous independent burger shop in all of Kyushu. The burgers are fantastic, but they are only available during the daytime. There are two locations close to downtown, one near NIJINOMATSUBARA and the one downtown across the street from the Bus Center.
If you haven't had one and are at either of these places in during lunchtime, Karatsu Burger is a GREAT option to see what the locals eat. Karatsu Burger closes at 7pm.
If you haven't had one and are at either of these places in during lunchtime, Karatsu Burger is a GREAT option to see what the locals eat. Karatsu Burger closes at 7pm.
SUSHI ESAKI
ESAKI is one of the local treasures in town. The sushi here is absolutely exquisite and the master is a foreign friendly, English speaking sushi superhero who is as good as it gets. Ezaki seats less than a dozen people but it is always crowded, so its best to check in with him to see if there are seats available.
Esaki serves traditional Japanese sushi, seasonal delicacies as well as local Japanese liquors (like Shochu and Sake) and beer. Absolutely fantastic place. Esaki closes at 10pm.
Esaki serves traditional Japanese sushi, seasonal delicacies as well as local Japanese liquors (like Shochu and Sake) and beer. Absolutely fantastic place. Esaki closes at 10pm.
MASALA MASTER
MASALA MASTER is a Indian and Thai restaurant in Watada, about a 100m walk from the stairs at Watada Station. The food here is quite good and the spice level can be tailored to your needs.
Masala Master does dine-in, parties in a back room and also will make some food for you if you call ahead for take out. Masala Master sells alcohol, is open for lunch and closes at 10pm.
Masala Master does dine-in, parties in a back room and also will make some food for you if you call ahead for take out. Masala Master sells alcohol, is open for lunch and closes at 10pm.
NEUF
NEUF is a small bakery located in Nishi Jonai next to Nishinomon and across from Taishi elementary school. Run by a delightful couple, they have a nice selection of sandwiches, breads, rolls and pastries. Also, probably the only place you'll find a Japanese take on Russian Piroshki. There is also a cafe in the rear of the building for lunch.
Neuf is walking distance from the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall or Karatsu Shrine and serves a variety of Japanese food and baked goods until 8pm.
Neuf is walking distance from the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall or Karatsu Shrine and serves a variety of Japanese food and baked goods until 8pm.
TORIMASA
TORIMASA is the most recommended yakitori restaurant by locals in Karatsu. Wonderful creative yakitori, coupled with it not costing to much means its almost always crowded but the food is excellent. Pretty much everyone in town frequents this place.
Torimasa serves traditional Japanese yakitori, along with some more traditional japanese food, seasonal dishes and has draft beer and a cocktail menu. Torimasa is located in the center of town about 50m from the Saga Bank building and is open until 1am.
Torimasa serves traditional Japanese yakitori, along with some more traditional japanese food, seasonal dishes and has draft beer and a cocktail menu. Torimasa is located in the center of town about 50m from the Saga Bank building and is open until 1am.
BONITO
BONITO is a little on the high end, but its also impossible to go wrong here. Bonito is a wine bar on Gofukumachi. A wide selection of great wines, and classic French food makes this place mostly an outlier on a street filled with fried chicken and ramen shops. This is the place you want to go for a decent glass of vino with a date.
Full service kitchen with a great wine list and a full bar, dinner or Ala Carte. Bonito is open until 2am.
Full service kitchen with a great wine list and a full bar, dinner or Ala Carte. Bonito is open until 2am.
FURAIBO
FURAIBO is a great little inexpensive izakaya restaurant that is pretty good at everything they serve. The famous item here is probably the sweet chicken wings but you can get a lot of seasonal dishes from the chef as well.
Furaibo also serves traditional Japanese food, and has draft beer and a cocktail menu. Furaibo is located in the center of town about 50m from the Saga Bank building (across the street) and is open until 11pm.
Furaibo also serves traditional Japanese food, and has draft beer and a cocktail menu. Furaibo is located in the center of town about 50m from the Saga Bank building (across the street) and is open until 11pm.
SABAIJAI
Have you seen the Tuk Tuk driving around Karatsu these days? It belongs to SABAIJAI, a fantastic little place hidden off the main strip in Watada in between Nafco and Yamada Denki.
Open for lunch and dinner, with a native Thai chef and they have an authentic Tuk Tuk available if you give them a call and if you are located within a few miles of the area. Full bar, wonderful staff, and they have a room in the back where you can actually fish in an aquarium?
Open for lunch and dinner, with a native Thai chef and they have an authentic Tuk Tuk available if you give them a call and if you are located within a few miles of the area. Full bar, wonderful staff, and they have a room in the back where you can actually fish in an aquarium?
MILAN
MILAN is a fantastic Indian food and curry restaurant in Karatsu located near the Nishi-Kyushu Karatsu IC. The food is amazing and the owner, Shyam, and the staff are wonderful. Great smooth and creamy curries, custom ordered to your heat factor, tantalizing Tandoori chicken and incredible samosas are just some of the food that can be found at Milan.