Arita is a place I long to visit again!
Temperature - 17c
Food eaten - Yakiniku
Nestled north of Saga, one can take a local train that feels like a journey to another world. The train winds through beautiful scenery, traveling along a single-track line that meanders through bamboo groves and small villages. I want to promote my prefecture more, and this is a place that has truly captured my heart. I need to return, as there is still so much Arita has to offer.
I set out to visit the Porcelain Palace, a stunning palace that resembles the fairytale castles you might find in Europe. I was also excited to have booked a session to paint a cup while I was there. My first tip is to be prepared to take a taxi or catch one of the infrequent buses. The taxi fare was reasonable, costing 1,200 yen, and the drivers were friendly. Honestly, the trip to the park is worth it.
Arita Porcelain Park was beautiful. Located in Saga, a more peaceful and quiet prefecture, there were only a handful of other people there at most. This allowed me to truly enjoy the tranquility of the place. The beauty of Saga is evident all around the park, showcasing its mountains and forests. The scenery is stunning. While Saga may not have the same allure as the larger cities in Kyushu, I believe it conceals many hidden treasures that can be discovered by those who are determined to seek them out.
I hope to share with you the treasures of Saga. The porcelain park features many beautiful shops where local artists sell their creations. I was fortunate enough to find a lovely bowl for 600 yen and a charming porcelain wind chime with a cat design. I haven’t opened it yet because I’m terrified of breaking it.
The gardens are small and wouldn’t take too long to explore, but the hands-on experiences are where this place truly shines. They offer porcelain painting opportunities, but you’ll need to provide a Japanese address, as it can take a few weeks for them to ship the final glazed piece. They also have a course available for using the potter's wheel. These sessions together can easily fill a day. I was pedantic with my painting and ended up being there for a good few hours just on my cup alone.
The palace was holding a light event and this is something I am gutted to have missed. But I was risking not getting back to the station. But for those with a car they had food stalls and beautiful lights set up around the place.
The town I visited was beautiful, with ceramics everywhere. I would love to return to see the ceramic shrine I briefly glimpsed from the train. I also want to try the Sasebo burger, as I've heard a lot of praise for it.
I wholeheartedly recommend Arita to anyone traveling to Kyushu. You won't regret taking a day or even just an afternoon to explore one of the most significant ceramics locations in all of Japan.
