Explore the Birthplace of Japan's Porcelain
If you are in Kyushu and have an interest in traditional Japanese artistry, especially pottery, Arita is a essential stop. The pottery town is quaint, quiet and filled with narrow alleys, old buildings, and protruding chimneys from the pottery kilns. Arita is most famous for its pottery; however, a trip to these location also provides an intimate glimpse into the world of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Many of the techniques have been passed down through generations, and are still being practiced today.
Dotted with traditional buildings and pottery workshops, Arita is a quaint village surrounded by lush wooded mountains. Its historical relevance lies in the fact that it was the first place in Japan to produce porcelain when kaolin, the clay mineral required to make porcelain, was discovered here at the beginning of the Edo period in 1616. Arita's artisans have been crafting masterpieces since then, with Arita ware boasting about 400 years of illustrious history and fortune. The exquisite Arita ware was so appreciated (and still is) that it wasn't only produced for the domestic market but also imported to China and Europe, resulting in great prosperity for the town.
A great deal of porcelain history has taken place in this area, so a recommended first stop for you is The Kyushu Ceramic Museum. Here you can learn about the origins of the region as well as ceramic production, and its evolution over time. Each year during Japan's Golden Week, which generally runs from April 29 to May 5, Arita hosts one of the largest ceramic fairs in Japan. Hundreds of vendors set up shop. It's an opportunity to obtain some very special pieces at affordable prices. Golden Week isn't the only time reserved for ceramic hunting. There's also the Arita Ceramics Home Plaza, which is open year-round and features over 20 stores offering a vast selection of quality ceramic items.
Considered some of the finest porcelain in Japan, Arita ware is not only recognized for the amount of craftsmanship that goes into realizing it, but it is also prized for being thin, light yet solid, and durable. For this reason, it's appreciated for the production of tableware.
Dotted with traditional buildings and pottery workshops, Arita is a quaint village surrounded by lush wooded mountains. Its historical relevance lies in the fact that it was the first place in Japan to produce porcelain when kaolin, the clay mineral required to make porcelain, was discovered here at the beginning of the Edo period in 1616. Arita's artisans have been crafting masterpieces since then, with Arita ware boasting about 400 years of illustrious history and fortune. The exquisite Arita ware was so appreciated (and still is) that it wasn't only produced for the domestic market but also imported to China and Europe, resulting in great prosperity for the town.
A great deal of porcelain history has taken place in this area, so a recommended first stop for you is The Kyushu Ceramic Museum. Here you can learn about the origins of the region as well as ceramic production, and its evolution over time. Each year during Japan's Golden Week, which generally runs from April 29 to May 5, Arita hosts one of the largest ceramic fairs in Japan. Hundreds of vendors set up shop. It's an opportunity to obtain some very special pieces at affordable prices. Golden Week isn't the only time reserved for ceramic hunting. There's also the Arita Ceramics Home Plaza, which is open year-round and features over 20 stores offering a vast selection of quality ceramic items.
Considered some of the finest porcelain in Japan, Arita ware is not only recognized for the amount of craftsmanship that goes into realizing it, but it is also prized for being thin, light yet solid, and durable. For this reason, it's appreciated for the production of tableware.
