Arita Pottery Town
The birthplace of Japanese porcelain, where ceramic production began in 1616 after kaolin clay was discovered. The main street is lined with kilns, galleries, and manufacturers exporting worldwide.
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The annual Arita Ceramics Festival (late April–early May) draws huge crowds but prices are slashed dramatically. Outside festival season the town is peaceful. The Kyushu Ceramic Museum is the best single place to understand 400 years of Arita porcelain history.
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