# Karatsu (JP KAR)

**UN/LOCODE:** JP KAR  
**Country:** Japan  
**Water Body:** Korea Strait; North Pacific Ocean  
**Harbor Size:** Small  
**Harbor Type:** Coastal (Natural)  
**GPS:** 33.4833, 129.9667

On the north-west coast of Kyushu, in Saga Prefecture, Karatsu faces the Genkai Sea, its harbour split into east and west basins by Oshima island. Known from antiquity as Kara-no-Tsu, the port leading to China, it grew on coal exports during the Meiji era. Its defining scheduled service today is the ferry to Iki island in Nagasaki Prefecture, running since 2007. Cargo work is modest – coastal traffic and breakbulk – and there is no significant container terminal, so boxed freight routes through Hakata at Fukuoka. Road links and the Karatsu rail line connect the port inland, while parts of the waterfront are being redeveloped for logistics and leisure.

## Transit Times & Routes

- [Tokyo → Singapore](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/tokyo-singapore)
- [Tokyo → Bangkok](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/tokyo-bangkok)
- [Tokyo → Ho Chi Minh City](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/tokyo-ho-chi-minh-city)
- [Tokyo → Jakarta](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/tokyo-jakarta)
- [Tokyo → Kuala Lumpur](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/tokyo-kuala-lumpur)
- [Tokyo → Manila](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/tokyo-manila)

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*Freight Academy — Seaport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/karatsu-port-jp-kar](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/karatsu-port-jp-kar)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/karatsu-port-jp-kar](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/karatsu-port-jp-kar)*

*LLM-Summary (JSON): https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/seaports/karatsu-port-jp-kar/llm-summary?lang=en*