Arita Uchiyama, Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (有田町有田内山 重要伝統的建造物群保存地区)

Flow of the course

About this spot

This townscape, which flourished as a production center for Arita ware since the Edo period, is now carefully preserved as a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Along streets lined with distinctive earthen walls called tonbai walls and lattice-door merchant houses, numerous kiln workshops and galleries stand side by side, where you can enjoy browsing for ceramics. Some workshops even offer pottery wheel experiences, letting families feel the depth of ceramic-making firsthand. Simply walking through this townscape lets you sense 400 years of history, a scene unique to Arita.

Tips

It is within walking distance of JR Arita Station, but traveling by car is more convenient. Business hours vary by workshop, so it is a good idea to check in advance. Since ceramics are breakable, be sure to ask each shop about how to carry your purchases home.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour 30 minutes. The quieter afternoon hours are well suited to browsing the kiln workshops

Access & map

〒844-0005 1-2 Kohei 1-chome, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga-ken