Welcome to Arita
The town of Arita is the birthplace of porcelain in Japan. With over 400 years of history, Arita porcelain ware (arita-yaki) is still an important traditional craft. It is produced at over 100 kilns, whose craftsmen carefully preserve heritage designs while also adapting their products for contemporary markets.
A short walk from JR Arita Station, Kiln Arta is a one-stop information center for sightseeing needs. Its staff can introduce you to places to learn more about Arita ware such as the Kyushu Ceramic Museum, the Arita Ceramic Museum, and the Arita History and Folklore Museum. Also, several of the largest kilns, Fukagawa Seiji, Genemon, Imaemon, Kakiemon, and Koransha, have on-site museums. The staff at Kiln Arita can also help you reserve tours and experiences at many of the Arita kilns. Arita porcelain can be purchased at the kilns or at Arita Será, a collection of 22 shops built in a repurposed wholesale market.
The historic Uchiyama district is east of JR Arita Station. Settled in the late 1630s, the area is registered as an “Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.” Many famous kilns and merchants are based in Uchiyama and sit side by side with cafés, galleries, and new shops built in renovated historical buildings. On a smaller parallel street north of the main road, look for the tonbai walls made with bricks from old kilns.
Arita is nestled in a river valley and is surrounded by forest. The lack of flat land meant that people built terraced rice fields, like the picturesque Take no Tanada rice paddies in the northwest of the city. Check the Take no Tanada Walking Map for the best route and photo spots to make the most of your stop. In the mountains north of the old town is the Ryumon Gorge, a deep river valley known for its water’s clarity. South of Ryumon Gorge is Arita Dam, which is a popular place to escape the summer heat and enjoy the reflection of the autumn leaves and spring flowers in the water.