Okawachiyama in Imari City, Saga Prefecture is known as a pottery village. Imari and Arita in Saga Prefecture are Japan's leading porcelain producing areas, with a history of about 400 years. Historically, in Okawachiyama, the porcelain was made exclusively for the Japanese generals of the area. Why don't you visit Okawachiyama, which is dotted with fascinating traditional potteries?
Okawachiyama Village in Saga Prefecture
Okawachiyama in Imari City, Saga Prefecture is a traditional pottery town. Okawachiyama is about 10 minutes by car from the city of Imari and is in a valley surrounded by mountains. In the past, talented craftsmen gathered here to produce pottery for the generals of the area. The pottery made at that time was called Nabeshima Ware. The pottery made today is known as Imari Ware, which follows in the tradition of Nabeshima Ware.
Imari Ware Potteries in Okawachiyama Village
In Okawachiyama, there are about 30 pottery workshops that produce ceramic pieces by baking them in their own kilns, and each workshop has their unique styles. You can enjoy a stroll around the city, while seeing the sights such as the old-fashioned kilns and galleries. The Imari Nabeshima Ware Exhibition Hall displays and sells various pottery works. Why don't you drop in for souvenirs and other shopping?
Spot Information
- Spot name: Imari Nabeshima Ware Exhibition Hall (伊万里焼鍋島会館)
- Street Address: 1806, Okawachi-cho-Otsu, Imari City, Saga Prefecture
- Access: Haneda Airport → [Airplane] About 1 hour 30 minutes → Kyushu Saga International Airport → [Bus] About 35 minutes → Saga Station → [JR] (about 40 minutes) → Arita Station → [Matutetu Railway] (about 25 minutes) → Imari Station → [Bus] (about 15 minutes) → Okawachiyama
- Wi-Fi: Available
- Language: Japanese only (English / Chinese / Korean pamphlets available)
- 営Business Hours: 9: 00-17: 30
- Credit cards: VISA, Master Card, JCB, Diners
Highlights of Okawachiyama Village
Okawachiyama is surrounded by mountains and you can enjoy beautiful scenery in every season, so it is a spot where you can enjoy many seasonal events. There are many attractive events such as the event of Tojiki-Ichi (pottery market), where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom in the spring, the Wind Chime Festival where Imari Ware wind chimes are displayed in summer, and the Autumn Festival where you can enjoy autumn leaves.
How to Get to Okawachiyama
To get from Tokyo to Okawachiyama, take a flight from Haneda Airport (about 1 hour 30 minutes) to Kyushu Saga International Airport. Take the access bus from Kyushu Saga International Airport (about 35 minutes) and get off at JR Saga Station. From Saga Station, take the JR Nagasaki Main Line to Sasebo (about 40 minutes) and get off at Arita Station. Change from Arita Station to the Matutetu Railway (about 25 minutes) and get off at Imari Station. Take a bus bound for Okawachiyama from Imari Station (about 15 minutes) and get off at Okawachiyama.
Taxi From Arita Station to Okawachiyama Village
If you want to take a taxi from Arita Station to Okawachiyama, it takes about 25 minutes. Because there are few buses from Imari Station, it is convenient to use taxis when sightseeing in Arita.
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