Arita ware porcelain

Arita-cho

Loved the world over, this white porcelain boasts a history of 400 years.

Arita ware is the name of a certain type of porcelain fired in the vicinity of Arita-cho in Saga Prefecture. Boasting a 400-year history, Arita is also renowned as the area where porcelain was fired for the first time in Japan. Before long, the elegant appearance of Arita ware porcelain made it extremely popular overseas. At that time, due to the fact that ships loaded with Arita ware porcelain departed from the port of Imari, it became known overseas as Imari, and was much loved by the court and nobility of Europe.

To learn about the history of porcelain, head to the Kyushu Ceramic Museum.

Variously named both “Arita" and "Imari," this porcelain was highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas. Since the predominant techniques changed with each era, it can be somewhat difficult to grasp the entire picture. But if you want to know more about Arita ware, visit the Kyushu Ceramic Museum. Its collection is not limited to Arita ware porcelain; it is a repository for ceramics from all over Kyushu. Among these, must-see attractions include the Kanbara collection of ancient Imari ware and the Shibata collection of Arita ware porcelain from the Edo era. The cunningly constructed Arita porcelain clock that plays a melody every 30 minutes is also worth a look.

Encounter modern potters at the Gen-emon Kiln.

After you tour the Kyushu Ceramic Museum, take a peek at the Gen-emon Kiln to see the work of living potters. The tradition of pottery has been built for over 260 years in the Arita area. Under the traditional division-of-labor system, professional potters handle each process, passing down craftsmanship of the highest quality. On weekdays, tours of the kiln run until from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M. This enables you to view this precious pottery up close and see the artisans’ handiwork. A pottery fair also is held in Arita-cho during spring and fall. Nearly 200,000 people visit this event from all over Japan, granting another opportunity (in addition to the Gen-emon Kiln) to handle the work of contemporary working potters up close.

For reference

Kyushu Ceramic Museum

Address

3100-1 Toshaku-otsu, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga-ken
Telephone

0955-43-3681 
Opening hours

 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. 
Closed

 Mondays
Price

 Admission free (although special exhibitions incur a fee) 
URL

http://saga-museum.jp/ceramic/

  Gen-emon Kiln 

Address

 2726 Maruo-hei, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga-ken 
Telephone

 0955-42-4164
 Opening hours

8 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. 
Closed

 Open seven days a week
 Price

 Free to view 
URL

http://www.gen-emon.co.jp/

Access

Kyushu Ceramic Museum

Saga Airport is a 90-minute flight from Haneda Airport.
Saga Station is 30 minutes by limousine bus from Saga Airport.
Arita Station is 40 minutes via the Limited Express Midori rail service from Saga Station. 
Kyushu Ceramic Museum is about a 20-minute walk from Arita Station.

Gen-emon Kiln

Saga Airport is a 90-minute flight from Haneda Airport.
Saga Station is 30 minutes by limousine bus from Saga Airport.
Arita Station is 40 minutes via the Limited Express Midori rail service from Saga Station.
 Gen-emon Kiln is about a 20-minute walk from Arita Station.