2026.04.16

[Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort] Table tennis in the world view of Karatsu-kunchi! The birth of "KUNCHI Rally" and "OZASHIKI Ping Pong" that enjoys traditional events in Karatsu with table tennis tables and spaces

The new openings "KUNCHI Rally" and "OZASHIKI Ping Pong" can be enjoyed at all-inclusive accommodation plans with table tennis experience and reception on the day.

At the all-inclusive resort hotel "Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort" (Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture / General Manager: Eiichi Koyama), one of Japan's three major Matsubara, and adjacent to the Sea of Genkai, Karatsu-kunchi and KUNCHI Rally and OZASHIKI Ping Pong, where you can enjoy table tennis, will open on April 25, 2026.
"KUNCHI Rally" and "OZASHIKI Ping Pong", which can be enjoyed at all-inclusive accommodation plans with table tennis experiences and receptions on the day, are designed with the image of "Karatsu Kunchi" and "Niji no Matsubara" in the space of table tennis tables, nets, and table tennis rooms. It is an experience where you can enjoy table tennis in the hall and touch local culture.

Karatsu-kunchito

"Karatsu-kunchi" is the autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine, which is held every year on November 2, 3, and 4. It is also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and is a representative festival of Karatsu, where 14 luxurious Hikiyamas go around the castle town according to the music.
＊Reference source: Travel Karatsu Karatsu Tourism Association| Karatsu-kunchi

KUNCHI Rally and OZASHIKI Ping Pong, a new space to enjoy table tennis

At Mercure, “Local Shared with Care” is the brand CONCEPT, which is inspired by local culture and focuses on delivering the unique charm of the area to customers through experience.
In Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort, as an opportunity to experience the charm of Karatsu's representative traditional event, Karatsu Kunchi, we will open a new sense of table tennis space "KUNCHI Rally" and "OZASHIKI Ping Pong" that combine local culture with the excitement of rally in cooperation with the construction and design of table tennis media "Rallys".
The flooring table tennis room "KUNCHI Rally" is a space where you can enjoy table tennis on the royal road in an atmosphere full of immersive atmosphere by directing the space with the world view of Karatsu Kunchi. On the other hand, "OZASHIKI Ping Pong" proposes a new style of playing with table tennis tables on tatami mats in Japanese banquet halls, taking off shoes and relaxing. In the room, while taking advantage of the Japanese taste, by incorporating the motif of Karatsu Kunchi in the table tennis table, you can enjoy table tennis while feeling local culture in both spaces. As an experience-based activity that is not affected by the weather, we aimed to create a space where people can get acquainted with Karatsu culture from children to ADULTS.

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“KUNCHI Rally” and “OZASHIKI Ping Pong”

Point 1 A specially designed table tennis table with Karatsu-kunchi and Niji no Matsubara motif

 

The traditional table tennis table will be renewed to a design that incorporates the culture and scenery of Karatsu. On the table surface, we used shades inspired by the special scenic spot "Niji no Matsubara", one of Japan's three major Matsubara spreading in front of the hotel.
In addition, the net part incorporates the motif of Hikiyama that appears in Karatsu-kunchi, and expresses the scene of traveling between the waves of Karatsu Bay in a cute and familiar design. Every time the rally continues, the net sways, and you can enjoy the excitement of your heart as if Hikiyama is moving through the waves.
In addition to the table tennis table with the motif of Karatsu-kunchi and Niji no Matsubara, a round table tennis table has also been newly introduced. By connecting the rally with four people, a different experience will be expanded. We provide a new sense of table tennis experience that combines visual fun with the diversity of play.

Point 2 A space where you can experience the world view of Karatsu-kunchi

"KUNCHI Rally" will redesign the table tennis venue as a special space where you can immerse yourself in the world view of "Karatsu Kunchi". From the entrance to part of the wall, the powerful graphics of Hikiyama spread, creating a sense of presence as if you entered the festival. Between play, you can enjoy a commemorative photo against the backdrop of exciting decorations.

Point 3 Supervision, design and construction by table tennis media "Rallys"

Table tennis tables and space design were supervised by the table tennis media "Rallys". "Rallys" is a professional media specializing in table tennis, and is a professional who is familiar with the fun and charm of the competition. Taking advantage of this knowledge, we have developed spaces and equipment that focus not only on design but also on the ease and quality of actual play. In addition to the fun of appearance, we provide a place where you can play comfortably.

[Rally's comment]
Rallys has expanded the new value of table tennis to society based on the mission of "making table tennis more accessible with ideas."
In this project, we sympathized with Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort's desire to have more customers enjoy table tennis, and we worked together to achieve this goal.
Round table tennis tables and design table tennis tables are intuitive to convey the fun of table tennis to first-timers and family members. Time to laugh with your family, time to be enthusiastic with friends, and new communication born from table tennis. I believe that each of these experiences will make the value of staying in this place richer.

Outline of the event
【Reservation start date】 Thursday, April 16, 2026
【Accommodation period】 May 5, 2026 (Tuesday/holiday) to full year
[Hours] Available between 15:00 - 22:00 / 8:00 - 10:00
[Fee] KUNCHI Rally 60 minutes with experience All-inclusive 16,500 yen ~ (tax included per person per room per 3 person, tax included)
KUNCHI Rally Reception on the day 40 minutes / 1,000 yen
OZASHIKI Ping Pong Reception on the day only 30 minutes per set / 500 yen

Plan details and reservation
※During Golden Week, pre-experience (charged) is possible by contacting us at the front desk.

Workshop where visitors can enjoy Golden Week and experience Karatsu culture

Experience with Karatsu ware tea utensils

"Karatsu ware" is a traditional craft that boasts an old history. In the world of tea ceremony, it is called "Ichii To Niraku San Karatsu" and has been highly regarded as a tea pot loved by tea masters.
In this program, we will hold a hands-on experience using Karatsu's proud Karatsu ware and Saga's famous "Ureshino tea".

[Date] Full year
[Hours] 9:00～12:00
[Venue] 1F Lobby
[Fee] Included in all-inclusive

Making Karatsu-kunchi original arrangements, Karatsu-kunchi Hikiyama painting experience

We prepare two manufacturing experiences during the period where you can touch the world view of Karatsu Kunchi. This is an experience of producing original "handling" used when conducting Hikiko (Hikiko) and a painting experience where you can freely color unglazed with Hikiyama motif. You can experience it while feeling the enthusiasm and tradition of the festival.

Making Karatsu-kunchi original arrangements
[Date] Full year
[Hours] 9:00～12:00
[Venue] 1F Lobby
[Fee] Included in all-inclusive

Karatsu-kunchi Hikiyama painting experience
[Date] April 25, April 26, April 29, 2026
[Hours] 15:00 to 18:30 Final reception 17:00
[Venue] 1F Lobby
[Fee] 1,500 yen / 1 unit ※Limited quantity: 10 units

Golden Week Event Information

 

Very popular last year! A treasure hunt with radio control will be held again this year

A radio control treasure hunt will be held during Golden Week and summer at the Rainbow Sandbox newly established last summer. The special venue using the sand of the country's special scenic spot "Niji no Matsubara" has been well received by customers.
This is an activity to operate the radio control of "working cars" such as excavators, and to discover pine cones, a symbol of "Niji no Matsubara" hidden in the sand.
Depending on the number of excavated pine cones, it can be exchanged for local goods packed with local attractions.
You can spend a time in the "Rainbow Sandbox" where the whole family can be absorbed, such as radio control operation that can be enjoyed as a game, a sense of accomplishment when searching for pine cones, and a prize that you win with your own efforts.

[Date] April 25, 2026 (Sat.) - May 5, 2026 (Tue./holiday)
July 1, 2026 (Wednesday) to August 31, 2026 (Monday)
[Hours] 15:00-18:00
[Venue] 1st floor shop back
[Fee] 1,000 yen per play (6 minutes)
[Recommended Age] Elementary school students or older

Treasure search details and reservation with radio control

CONCEPT is "Marche". Food that can be enjoyed by the family

The dinner and breakfast buffet, which has been well received by many customers since the opening of the restaurant, has been reborn as a content that is even more attractive to CONCEPT on April 1, the 2nd anniversary of its opening. During Golden Week and summer vacation, you can enjoy new menus such as "Buff Breze" and "Vegetable Wellington" as much as you want. We have developed a menu that is easy for children to eat at the Kids Corner so that customers with small children can come with peace of mind. In addition to popular French fries and fried chicken, new menus include "corn soup with popcorn", "teriyaki salmon rice with broccoli (breakfast only)" and " shrimp gnocchi tomato cream sauce (dinner only)" .

Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort, an all-inclusive and unforgettable stay

One of Japan's three major Matsubara, this is an all-inclusive resort hotel overlooking the Rainbow Matsubara, where about 1 million black pine trees grow over a total length of about 4.5 kilometers, and the blue sea in front of you. It is about 90 minutes by car from Saga Airport and about 90 minutes by car from Fukuoka City, the gateway to Kyushu, so you can easily go to when you think about it, and the lounge where you can enjoy evening breakfast buffet, alcohol at dinner, drinks and light snacks are included in the accommodation fee, so you can enjoy your stay without hesitation.

[Hotel name] Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort
[Telephone]　03-6627-4651 (Reservation Center)
[Fee] All-inclusive 1 night from 22,500 yen (per room for 2 people, including tax and surcharge)
※There is no charge for lunch.
[Details] https://mercure-sagakaratsu-resort.jp/
※No lunch. Some fees are charged.