Arita
Understand
Arita is known as the home of Imari porcelain, internationally the most famous type of Japanese pottery. (The separate town of Imari is simply the port they were shipped through on their way to the outside world.)
Get in
An express train runs directly from Fukuoka to Arita.
Get around
See
- Kyushu Ceramic Museum (九州陶磁文化館 Kyushu Toji Bunkakan) is located in Arita town. It is famous throughout Japan for its research on ceramics. There are large exhibits of old and modern style ceramics. Closed on Mondays, admission is free. Located near Kami Arita station.
- Porcelain Park. A considerably large replica of a wannabe German village, located in the outskirts of Arita on the road to Hasami. Most stunning is probably the copy of the “Zwinger” a famous German castle in the city of Dresden. Inside the castle is a permanent exhibition of European porcelain held in one track and Arita porcelain in the other. Both are pretty impressive. Behind the castle lies a European style garden, and behind that a large ancient kiln can be visited. The rest of Porcelain Park is like a theme park.
- Arita Kan (有田館). Has an exhibition of modern art porcelain, 400 different cups for coffee or tea and a theater with mechanical computerized puppets made of porcelain. Admission is 200 yen.
- China On The Park. Experience pottery and porcelain design. The establishment dates back to the end of the last century when the Fukugawa factory was chosen to provide the Imperial household with porcelain. This large and modern style facility contains a factory, galleries, shops and a restaurant.
- Tozan Shrine. Famous for its porcelain archway and other items of porcelain, which are usually made of stone at other shrines. This shrine is and was particularly revered by Arita’s ceramists.
Do
- Arita Hall Ceramic Puppet Performance. Based on the local folktale of the Giant Snake of Kurokamiyama, the world's first joruri (ballad drama) performance by ceramic puppets is held in the Arita Hall. The colourful stage is painted in the three styles of Kakiemon, Ironabeshima and old Imari.
- Rokuroza (ろくろ座). If you are really interested in pottery but only have a half day you can spare, then Rokuroza is the place for you. Here you can learn how to make your own pottery. Located near Kami Arita Station.
Buy
Eat
- RanRanRan A restaurant near the Arita Porcelain Park. Specializes in fried curry and blueberry parfaits.
Drink
Sleep
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