Karatsu immigrantMakoto Tabuchi

We asked a Karatsu migration support group

We interviewed "NPO Karatsu Switch", which supports migration to Karatsu City, about the migration situation.

-Please tell us about the role of NPO Karatsu Switch.

We have been commissioned by Karatsu City to act as a non-profit organization for immigration consultation. The number of consultations is increasing every year, and last year there were more than 1,000 consultations, and about 50 families relocated. There are many people who have come to Karatsu once or those who learned about Karatsu through media such as TV and want to move here.

-What do people who want to immigrate find attractive about Karatsu?

Karatsu is a municipality where many people in their 30s and 40s who are raising children receive immigration inquiries. People seem to think that the natural environment is good, it's not too rural, it's not inconvenient, and it's easy to access Fukuoka, so it's just the right place. Many of these people find employment at local companies after immigrating, and we introduce them to job openings and work with advisors in Saga Prefecture. Additionally, more and more people are continuing to work from home, and some are renovating old houses and starting businesses. Karatsu is a city that is very close to nature, so when I'm not working, I tend to my vegetable garden, play at the beach on weekends, and interact with the local people.

-When you moved here, did you find that it was different here?

I also immigrated from Aomori Prefecture, and I found that the people's temperament was much different from Tohoku than I expected. Karatsu is a port town that has been trading with foreign countries since ancient times, and is also a tourist destination, so I feel that there are many people who are very accepting and welcoming. Also, there are many people who are nosy in a good way, and will approach you if you have any trouble. There may be more opportunities to communicate in rural areas than in cities. Areas with relatively large numbers of people are not so crowded, so there is a wide range of areas that people can choose depending on what kind of lifestyle they want to live in.

-Are there any things I should be careful about when moving?

The three things you need when moving are "housing," "work," and "community." The destination you are moving to is often far away from your current location, so there are many things you won't understand until you actually go there. It is important to see the place you plan to live and interact with the people there before moving. At our NPO, we provide support by providing opportunities to talk with local people before moving, and we also operate a trial facility where you can experience life in Karatsu for a month.

-Please tell us about the good things about Karatsu.

Karatsu City was originally a municipality that merged nine municipalities, but each area has a different natural environment such as the sea, rivers, mountains, and remote islands, and each area has its own unique history and culture. I think it's very attractive that a variety of lifestyles are rooted in one city.
Also, the food is delicious. Yobuko's squid is famous, but the soul food "fish roquette" is also recommended. This is a croquette made with fried minced fish, but the standard curry flavor is standard.

-What do you think is the charm of Karatsu Castle, the symbol of Karatsu?

Karatsu Castle is like a symbol that stands out casually in our daily lives. At night, it is lit up in blue and stands out in the middle of the city. Climbing up Karatsu Castle gives you a panoramic view of the city, so it's a great way to get a bird's-eye view of Karatsu. The cherry blossoms and wisteria are beautiful, and it's great to be able to take a leisurely walk around the castle facing the sea while enjoying the scenery.

-Please give a message to those who are thinking of immigrating.

Karatsu is a really nice town, so if anyone is interested, please feel free to contact me. I would be happy if you could visit Karatsu once and feel the atmosphere of the castle town.