Bizen, Traditional pottery city in Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Bizen is a coastal city in southeastern Okayama Prefecture that faces the Seto Inland Sea with a fragmented shoreline. Forested areas dominate the landscape, and the Imbe district houses numerous pottery workshops where ceramics are produced.
The city was established in 1971 and expanded significantly in 2005 after merging with the towns of Hinase and Yoshinaga. Pottery traditions, however, have deep roots in the region stretching back much further.
The Imbe neighborhood thrives as a center for pottery creation, where artisans shape clay using techniques passed down through families for centuries. Visitors can watch craftspeople work in their studios and see how local ceramic traditions remain central to daily life here.
The city is served by the JR West Sanyo Main Line and Ako Line, offering regular connections to larger regional centers. Several highways, including the Sanyo Expressway, also provide road access to surrounding areas.
The Shizutani School represents Japan's first public educational institution and continues to blend traditional architecture with landscaped gardens. The building demonstrates how a historic learning space functions in the present day.
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