Guides for Arita and Imari Japan

Japan has many pottery cities and kilns all over its many prefectures. Even if you travel with a goal that does not go beyond reaching a specific city like Arita, Shigaraki or Mashiko, you should be able to find guides around town, in the hotel or within information centers. These guides are wonderful and full of information that is organized for you, however, it is not easy to find if you do not know Japanese. 

Not all guides are created equal in terms of details (Japanese vs English), but technology has come a long way where you, the traveler, only need the information and a direction to start in.

If traveling to Japan, decide what you want to do. Time flies fast when on vacation and your trip could grow to include so many things beside just ceramics. 

When I planned my trip to Japan, I based everything on one city: Arita and Imari in the Saga prefecture. My love of porcelain goes deep and I wanted to see what is considered the birthplace of porcelain for Japan. 

Imari Guide (multiple language versions from Imari City's website). 

Imari Guide (multiple language versions) March 2024 Edition

Arita Guides (multiple)

Arita Map (有田散策マップ)

Kouraku Kiln - Treasure Hunt

• Factory Tours and residency available (the current director is a woman from Canada - shoutout to Takada Ryoji-san)