Arita

What to know

Arita (有田) is a small town in western Saga Prefecture on Kyushu, renowned across Japan for its pottery, known as Arita-yaki. Most of the town's attractions revolve around pottery, including kilns, museums, archaeological sites, shops, and even the local shrine.

The history of Arita-yaki dates back about 400 years, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi attempted to invade Korea and brought back several highly skilled Korean craftsmen to Japan. In 1616, one of these craftsmen discovered kaolin—the mineral needed to make porcelain—at the site that later became the Izumiyama Quarry. Consequently, Arita became the first place in Japan to produce porcelain.

Several large-scale kilns were subsequently built around Arita, leading to great prosperity for the town. Arita's pottery was not only made for the domestic market but also became popular in China and Europe. Arita-yaki pottery that traveled out of the nearby Imari Port was also labeled as Imari-yaki.

Arita's attractions and shops are found in the old town around Kami-Arita Station, except for the Kyushu Ceramic Museum—the best museum on local Arita pottery—which is near Arita Station. Additionally, there is a porcelain-related theme park on the outskirts of town.

Located outside the town center, the Arita Porcelain Park is a porcelain-themed "theme park" with a large reconstruction of the Zwinger Palace in Dresden. Although the park has seen better days, some of its attractions are well done. Admission to the grounds is free.

Ratings: best of the best best of Japan outstanding