Niji no Matsubara

Along the Karatsu Bay, a pine grove stretches in the shape of a rainbow. This national special scenic spot started when Karatsu Domain’s first lord, Terazawa Hirotaka began planting as a protection against wind and tide in the early 17th century. Roughly 1 million pine trees form a 4.5km-long and 500m-wide grove. It is one of the three most scenic pine groves in Japan along with Miho and Kii’s pine groves.

After soaking in the fresh pine air, head 5km south for a scenic spot Kagamiyama Observation Deck and take in the blue sky, the ocean and green pine grove. Poets in the Nara Period were inspired by its beauty and left many poems here.

Niji no Matsubara is also known for curious legends. Once Toyotomi Hideyoshi was going to Nagoya Castle, lots of cicadas were chirping at Niji no Matsubara. As he scolded them, “Too noisy,” cicadas stopped making noise ever since. When he was passing through the pine grove, tall trees were blocking his view. He glared at them, saying “Be lower,” and there are “Glared Pines” that have not grown. There are seven of such wonders.