What to know
Arita and Imari are two towns in western Saga Prefecture renowned for their pottery. About 400 years ago, they became the birthplace of Japanese porcelain after kaolin—the essential mineral for making porcelain—was discovered on a local mountain, and skilled craftsmen were brought from Korea.
The new technology was highly valuable for the local ruler, as porcelain was stronger and more refined than traditional pottery, selling well both domestically and abroad. Arita and the remote mountain village of Okawachiyama were the main production centers, while Imari served as the port for shipping finished goods.
