The pottery villages of Kyushu

Kyushu ceramics from my mother-in-law's collection
Kyushu Pottery Villages
Pottery has been produced in these Kyushu villages for hundreds of years. The art has been passed down from father to son, and in some cases to daughters too, for generation after generation. We visited a kiln recently in Karatsu and met a 14th generation potter (video here). They understand and accept that this will be their lifetime duty. This results in a rare pride in their work. Itâs not just a job. Interestingly, in times gone by potters were forbidden to leave by their feudal lords because their skills were so highly prized. Luckily these days itâs a vocation.
Did you Know?
The first Japanese porcelain was made in the Arita region of Kyushu in the early 1600âs. It has been produced continuously in Arita since then. You can still visit today those original kilns.
Take a stroll around the studios and kilns of the area and you will soon begin to get a feel for the different styles available. Just make sure you donât get overwhelmed. Arita alone has more than 20 galleries in addition to the excellent Kyushu Ceramic Museum . You wonât fit everything in so just aim to enjoy your day and hopefully go home with a souvenir that will last a lifetime. These are souvenirs to pass through your family for generations to come. In my house here in Kyushu we still use pottery produced 100 years ago.
Kyushu pottery cheat sheet
Arita ware
Traditionally blue and white. Soon became famous for coloured overglaze with red especially favoured. More recently pure white porcelain has become popular. The white porcelain emphasises shape and simplicity instead of decoration.
Karatsu ware
Brown and earthy colours giving a simple, natural feel. Parts of the pottery (especially the base) are often left rough and unglazed. Karatsu pottery is generally fired in wood-fired kilns. This results in each piece having itâs own unique character formed by the licking flames. Commonly used in Japanese tea ceremony.
Amari ware
Actually Amari ware (sometimes known as Hizen ware) is a kind of Arita pottery. It is often more heavily decorated (âfussyâ) than classical Arita pottery with lots of blues, reds and gold. You may have seen it in museum in your home country as it was heavily exported from the 1700âs.
Koishiwara ware
Itâs earthenware rather than porcelain. Nothing fancy, a daily-use pottery of cups, mugs, plates and bowls. Commonly brown and grey with distinctive pattern (see photo below).
The photos below show our daily use pottery (nothing fancy or expensive). Our house has been continuously occupied by Mooâs family for nearly 100 years so this stuff has been bought by different family members over the years.

Mikawachi

Arita

Koishiwara

Koishiwara

Imari

Arita
Although these villages have been producing ceramics for hundreds of years you shouldnât get the idea that they are stuck in the past. Many of the modern potters pride themselves on producing the most modern and innovative designs. The arts may be passed down from father to son but the imagination belongs to the potters themselves.
Take a look at the one-minute video below to see the stunning cutting-edge designs of Kyushu pottery. I took all these photos in Kyushu Ceramic Museum.
Kyushu Ceramic Museum
Kyushu Ceramic Museum

Modern snack on ancient pottery: photo by me

Cheeky design at Kyushu Ceramic Museum: photo by me
Arita pottery fair
Insider Tip
If you want to plan your Kyushu vacation around these fairs get in touch and weâll let you know the exact dates.
Arita Gallery Recommendation
How to shop for pottery
Take your time and walk around as much as you want. The showroom owners will never give you hard sell and absolutely donât expect you to buy. Donât feel rushed. If you see something you like, gently pick it up (remember breaking is buying!) and see how it feels. For half of the joy of ceramics is in the feel as well as in the look. Donât be ashamed to choose something in your own price range. Imagine how it might look in your dining room or on your kitchen table. Your taste belongs to you so have the confidence to choose whatever works for you. Donât forget to have a look at as many different workshops as you can before you buy. Even though each village has its own style, youâll find lots of variation as you move from kiln to kiln.
Shopping Tip
If you are in Arita head to Arita SerĂĄ. Itâs a one-stop-shop for pottery buying. There are lots of pottery outlets here in one big shopping mall. If you donât have time to wander Arita town itâs the next best thing. In fact, if we shop for porcelain we often head here after browsing the studios and kilns. Youâll get some great bargains!
The most FUN way to shop
Grab a basket! One of the workshops in Arita is more than 150 years old (of course there any many much older). In that time they have gathered mountains of unsold ceramics. It lies unsorted gathering dust in a huge warehouse â see photo. Just like Aladdinâs Cave! They came up with a novel idea to clear their stuff out. You can pay „5000 ( about $50) and fill a basket with whatever you find. You get 90 minutes to poke around and itâs so much fun. If itâs too heavy to carry home they will happily arrange shipping too. Ask us if you want to include this fun shopping trip when we plan your itinerary.

Karatsu, not just pottery
Our Favourite Karatsu Galleries
Want to know more about Arita and Karatsu? Take a look at our Arita and Karatsu road trip report. Youâll learn more about the different types of pottery and what else you can see and do if you visit.
Not just Arita, Imari and Karatsu
Koishiwara is one of our favourites.
Koishiwara is typical of most of the Kyushu pottery villages in that itâs not so convenient to travel there. Most of them are a two-hour drive from Fukuoka, the capital city of Kyushu. You can reach them by public transport too but it often is not convenient, especially in winter.If you donât know how to get there contact us and weâll be happy to help.

Koishiwara Pottery Fair
You canât go to a pottery fair and come back empty-handed! We went to the Koishiwara Autumn Pottery Fair (2018) and got the plates in the above photo for FREE with our „600 onigiri (rice balls). The cups cost „1,000 each but are hand-made Takatori yaki (Takatori pottery) from a wood-fired kiln.
Takatori yaki
Takatori yaki is much lighter and more delicate than Koishiwara yaki and based on colours found in the natural world. Takatori kilns started production in the early 1600âs and Takatori ware is actually an older form of pottery than Koishiwara ware. Geographically itâs found in the same area. Most kilns in âKoishiwaraâ produce Koishiwara pottery but some still produce Takatori pottery.
Just to confuse things a bit more the village of Koishiwara technically no longer exists. Due to some inane bureaucratic reorganisation this proud and ancient village was amalgamated into a newly created entity called Toho about 20 years ago. However when you go there, youâll still see roads signs for âKoishiwaraâ.
Hasami
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Hasami produces classic blue and white pottery. Itâs one of the original pottery villages with a 400-year history. In the late Edo period is was the biggest blue and white producer. When the more glamorous villages were exporting their gorgeous pottery to Europe, Hasami ware was sent overseas as simple containers for export sake. You will often come across these original bottles in antique shops in Europe. Unlike the more famous pottery villages the ceramics made here are for daily use (not for tea ceremony formal use or as ostentatious gifts to be presented to higher-ranked persons). These days Hasami ceramics has developed a more simple style. It can be compared to North European modern pottery and is favoured by younger Japanese for daily household use. Look out for Hakusantoki (çœć±±é¶ćš ăă«ăă). This is currently one of the most popular producers.

Kyushu Journeys' mascot having fun: photo by Moo
Get Dirty!
Try your hand at pot making or pot painting. Let your artistic side flourish! Itâs a lot of fun for kids and adults alike. Contact us for details.
Lovely Arita promo video
We hope this page gives you a good introduction to the Kyushu pottery villages and the exquisite ceramics you can find. Send us a message if you need help to plan your holiday. Weâll include a trip to these villages in your Kyushu itinerary and much, much more.
Leave a comment below if you have anything interesting to share about the Kyushu pottery villages. Ask us a question if thereâs something you want to know. Correct us if you found a mistake. Say âhiâ if you love pottery.
Comments (18)
Would it be possible to get the name of the âAladdinâs cave of potteryâ workshop in Arita?
Michael
Hi, Simom.
I do ceramic research and interested to do interview with any Kyushu pottery villages / specialist ceramic that active produced Kyuhuâs ceramic. How to contact the villages and what is the procedure to do? I plan to go to the Kyushu pottery villages on September 2023. Can you help me regarding this matter.
Thank you.
I would like to learn Koishiwara pottery, not just a simple one day workshop but a more intense teaching, something around 3-4 weeks. Do you eventually know whom I could contact to attend eaching classes?
Thank you,
Ayano
We love Koishiwara pottery Ayano and luckily itâs only 40 mins drive from our house đ May I know what kind of pottery experience you already have? Also, do you speak Japanese? After I got this info from you I can see what I can discover about suitable classes.
Simon
Hi Amanda, itâs at Kouraku Kiln in Arita. Google map link here: https://is.gd/S7uf3p And yes, the shipping fee is extra Iâm afraid.
Simon (Kyushu Journeys)
Hello Lianne,
Youâll need to make your booking in advance. Of course not all kilns offer this (most donât) so youâll need to do some research first.
Hope this helps.
Simon (Kyushu Journeys)
Would like to visit the pottery and nature attraction but with public transport only on either 31 Dec or 1 Jan. May I know whether the area is open and how am I going to reach there? Will be staying in Hakata and need your advise which town would you recommend to visit.
Thank You
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