Arita, Porcelain production center in Nishimatsuura district, Japan
Arita is a town in western Saga Prefecture known for porcelain production. The area is surrounded by hills and home to numerous workshops, a ceramic museum, and shrines connected to its long pottery tradition.
In 1616, a Korean craftsman discovered kaolin deposits in a local quarry, leading to the establishment of Japan's first porcelain production. This discovery attracted other artisans and transformed the town into a major manufacturing center.
The name Arita comes from its role as a pottery center, and throughout the town you can see homes and shops that keep this craft tradition alive. Ceramic studios are scattered across the streets, and you can watch artisans at work as they shape and decorate pieces by hand.
Visitors can purchase ceramic pieces in shops, visit active workshops, and explore the local museum that displays the craft's history. It helps to arrive early in the day to find the best selection in stores and watch artisans at work.
The Tonbai alleys are narrow lanes lined with walls made from discarded ceramic pieces and bricks created by craftsmen. Many of these walls date back centuries and display layers of different production periods.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
