9 Charming Things to Do in Arita, Japan’s Porcelain Capital

As my neck tilted up the steep stone staircase to reveal a unique blue and white porcelain torii gate, I felt a deep sense of fulfilment to finally be standing here in Arita Japan. For many years, I’d wanted to visit this small town in the Kyushu region, but it had always felt a little too far out of the way for my previous Japan itineraries.

But when planning my Nagasaki trip itinerary, I realised that nearby Arita was ideal for an immersive day trip into Japanese history and culture. This was it, after years of Arita being a “someday” destination, its time had finally come – and it didn’t disappoint!

Featuring traditional buildings, narrow laneways, dozens of little porcelain shops and scenic vantage points, Arita is a charming, sleepy little town that isn’t on the mainstream tourist radar. You won’t find it in Japan travel guidebooks! For a small town, it is steeped with incredible attention to detail throughout. 

If you’re hoping to be an invisible tourist and escape the crowds by exploring off the beaten path in Japan, I’m sure you’ll love Arita as much as I do. Read on for more!

TIP: This Arita travel guide forms part of my full 7 day Kyushu travel itinerary, with options to extend to 10 days. I recommend taking a look for ideas once you’re done here!

Where is Arita?

Arita borders both Nagasaki and Saga Prefectures on the island of Kyushu, Japan’s western-most island attached to the mainland. Situated north-east of Huis Ten Bosch and north of Nagasaki city, it can easily be access by rail in under 1 hour 20mins. 

Arita Day Trip Itinerary: 9 Inspiring things to do in Arita Japan

Wondering what to do in Arita Japan? We’ll start the day by heading from Kami-Arita Station to the Arita Uchiyama District (Old Town). 

Kami-Arita Station is very tiny and usually unmanned. As soon as I stepped foot outside the station, I felt as though I was in a super quiet, rural area. Honesty systems work so well here; there are no ticket turnstiles. Just pop your used train ticket in the marked box.

Believe me when I say there is Arita yaki pottery (fired) and porcelain to be found EVERYWHERE. The streets are lined with small porcelain objects, the directional signs are made of it, and many stores have their prized pieces on display outside. It’s so lovely!

With that said, let’s start this Arita day trip itinerary by heading to the Tonbai Wall Alleys. 

Explore the Tonbai Wall Alleys

At first glance, these may seem like regular old walls in a residential street. However, the Tonbai Wall Alleys are more than meets the eye.

Creating porcelain was competitive 400 years ago as Arita became the first place in Japan to produce it. The Arita pottery masters that once lived in these streets built the walls to hide their techniques from prying eyes.

Made from discarded fireproof bricks (known as tonbai) that were once used in kilns for firing pottery, I love that these walls have been left as a reminder of the town’s dedication to this craft.

TIP: See if you can find other interesting uses for old ceramics around the area!

Discover the Arita Ceramic Museum

The Arita Ceramic Museum is a cute little find! I almost walked right by it at first, as it is tucked away behind a wall without clear signage. 

Opened in 1954, this museum was the first of its kind in Saga Prefecture and only one of three in the entire world dedicated to Japanese pottery, especially Arita ware.

The building dates back to the early Meiji Era (1868 – 1912) and throughout Arita Japan history has been used as a pottery storehouse as well as a school for teaching traditional Japanese Arita porcelain production techniques. 

The two-level museum is small, but the detailed pieces housed are very impressive and fascinating. Unfortunately, the verbiage is only in Japanese, however the Google Translate camera app can decipher the Japanese brochure I received on entry into English. 

NOTE: Open 09:00 – 16:30 daily except Mondays, the museum costs 120 yen to enter. From 29 April – 5 May, it is open for the local annual pottery fair. 

Admire the craftsmanship of the porcelain torii at Tozan Shrine

Also known as Tosa (Sueyama) Shrine, seeing an image of its unique torii many years ago was what ultimately inspired my Arita visit.

Crossing over railway tracks, passing beneath two old stone torii and climbing a very steep hillside staircase reveals a 400 year-old shrine dedicated to the “fathers of pottery” who were brought to Japan from Korea at the time.  

Tozan Shrine decorated with stunning light blue and white porcelain pieces, my favourite being a large column hand-painted with a swirling dragon above the sea. You won’t find a torii like this in Tokyo!

TIP: You can also buy lovely omamori from the temple shop, one of which is made from porcelain. My Japanese souvenirs guide explains what these are!

Concealed by an unassuming (sometimes overgrown) pathway behind this shrine is our next stop.  

Take in sweeping valley views at the Monument of Lee Sam Pei

Next up for things to do in Arita, Saga is visit a scenic viewpoint dedicated to an important figure in the town’s history. Arita’s rise to porcelain fame was thanks to Korean potter Lee Cham-Pyung (Lee Sam Pei).

Captured by Hideyoshi’s forces in Korea in 1592 and brought back to Japan as a prisoner, he eventually became a naturalised Japanese person. In searching for quality clay for his pottery, Lee Sam Pei discovered kaolin at Mt Izumiyama.

He realised this white clay-like material was perfect for producing quality porcelain, thereby leading a chain reaction of events. Not only did he kick off Japan’s porcelain production industry, but helped grow its popularity by exporting to Europe.

From this hillside vantage point with views over Arita’s grey rooftops and mountainous backdrop, this monument is a grateful dedication to his achievements in helping build the prosperity of the town.

Enjoy lunch at Arita Porcelain Lab

By now I’m sure you’re probably hungry! Our lunch stop is quite unique for Arita Japan, so if you’d like to eat from exquisite hand-made porcelain and have the chance to purchase a high-end souvenir or gift, you’re going to love this!

Formerly Yazaemon Kiln and founded in 1804, Arita Porcelain Lab creates Japan’s finest porcelain in their own local factory. Employing the exact techniques passed down for 7 generations, each piece is hand-made and painted in painstaking detail by skilled local artisans.

Alongside the shop is a café, serving delicious local ingredients for lunch and dinner. Presented on a stunning gold plate, I ordered the delicious Japanese curry which was served alongside salad and vegetables in their signature style porcelain. 

TIP: I purchased two exquisite cups (the pink and blue ones pictured below). They were packaged very well for my flight back to Australia. To give you an idea of price, they were 5,000 yen each.

Be left in awe at the giant Gingko Tree of Arita, Saga

Believed to be 1,000 years old, the Giant Ginkgo Tree of Arita would be an impressive sight. With a height of 30 metres and trunk circumference of 9 metres, it in 1926 was designated as one of Japan’s natural monuments. 

TIP: To be transparent, I did skip this one as I visited Arita in the middle of winter. It would have been completely bare, and it’s a little out of the way. However if you’re visiting at any other time of year (especially during Japan autumn when its leaves are golden), you may wish to make the trip!

Witness exceptional stone craftsmanship at Keiunji Temple

On first glance up the narrow pathway to Keiunji Temple, you’d likely not realise it attracts over one million visitors per week during the annual Japanese Arita Porcelain Festival and Ceramic Bazaar are held here during Golden Week! 

With two exceptionally-carved stone guardians standing watch at the temple’s entrance, Keiunji Temple was built in 1620. Since 1896, important ceramic-judging competitions have been held here, and are considered so serious one could hear a pin drop during the judgement time.  

A golden hand with raised index finger is the main attraction here, believed to be the hand of a one-thousand armed goddess. Worshippers come here to pray for skilful hands in their field of work. 

I was blown away by the intricacies of the guardian carvings, their stone features taking on the appearance of soft, flowing cloth. I’m sure you’ll agree they’re just incredible!

TIP: The Arita Porcelain Festival is held annually from 25 April – 5 May. 450 stalls line the town’s main street, and you’re sure to pick up a few porcelain discounts and bargains! 

Admire the porcelain vases decorating Higashinomae Bridge

Having taken a wrong turn for Arita Station, I stumbled across this little gem on Higashinomae Bridge. There are tow, one on either side and make an otherwise regular bridge handrail fascinating. 

Although the vases are modern replicas of their 17th century counterparts in the Kyushu Ceramic Museum, the paintwork and gold details are very beautiful. The accompanying porcelain tile reads:

“This jar is representative of the beauty and the romantic story of the Old-Imari exported to Europe beyond the sea. It is a replica of the original jar displayed in the Kamohara Collection in the Kyushu Ceramic Museum. November 1986.”

Find the porcelain handrails and details at Arita Station

Meandering past old stores, bridges and streams lining Arita’s main road, Prefectural Road 281, your afternoon in the town will soon draw to a close as you near JR Arita Station. 

Don’t forget to pay attention to the white porcelain handrails decorated in blue cherry blossoms, and the beautiful painted tiles on the platform walls. They’re lovely to admire as you wait for your train back to Nagasaki!

TIP: Don’t miss my 2 day Nagasaki itinerary for all the information on how to spend your time there.