Over one million people visit this annual festival in Arita – a town renowned for fine ceramics and porcelain. For the 113th edition, which also happens to be Aritayaki’s (Arita’s distinctive porcelain) 400th anniversary, stalls will line the streets selling both discounted and fine ceramics. Over 500 stalls will be located between Kami-arita Sta. and Arita Sta. – the market extends as far as 4 km down the path! Some open at 6am!
Whilst in Arita, why not go on a treasure hunt? At the Kouraku Kiln, founded in 1865, they have a huge collection of pottery which, for one reason or another, has not yet been sold. First go on a 30 minute tour of the facility, then you are given a pair of gloves, a flashlight and a basket: you have 90 minutes to fill your basket with porcelain goodies! If you pay for the more expensive course, you can peruse a special section of decoratively painted ceramics. Basic course: ¥5,000, special course: ¥10,000. English-speaking staff are on hand to help. Make your reservation by phone in advance (only 10 people max. per day). Address: 2512 Maruo, Arita, Saga. Tel.:090-8351-4121 or 0955-42-4121. More info: http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2016/03/29/go-treasure-hunting-in-an-arita-porcelain-warehouse-for-just-5000-yen/
• 4/29 (Fri.) ~ 5/5 (Thu.)
• Free
• Arita area
• Arita-machi, Saga
• 0955-42-4111
• http://www.arita-toukiichi.or.jp/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aritakankou/
