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Treasure Hunting at Kouraku Kiln

kouraku kiln　　

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Treasure Hunting at Kouraku Kiln

Find your favorite piece of Arita ware and experience a craft with over 400 years of history

Saga Prefecture

Arita ware (Arita-yaki in Japanese) is a type of porcelain produced mainly in the town of Arita, Saga Prefecture. The history of Arita ware began in the early 17th century, when a Korean potter discovered a deposit of white porcelain clay at Izumiyama, in eastern Arita, and made porcelain ware for the first time in Japan. Since then, to this day, Arita has flourished as the center of Japan’s porcelain production, manufacturing a wide range of products from tableware to artistic crafts. The area thrived and a distinctive townscape called “Arita Senken (A thousand houses of Arita)” formed in Arita’s valley.

Experience the essence of Arita ware at Kouraku Kiln. Established in 1865, Kouraku Kiln is one of the most renowned kilns in Arita and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy “treasure hunting” in the company’s warehouse. This one-of-a-kind program combines Kouraku Kiln’s values of “customer-oriented” and “craftsmanship” and has become very popular among Japanese and international visitors alike. The collection stored in the warehouse includes surplus or unsold items, discontinued products, unique pieces, and other hidden treasures just waiting to be found.

Grab a basket and a pair of gloves and start your search in the vast warehouse, among endless rows of boxes filled with ceramics. The time limit is 90 minutes, and you can choose as many items as you can fit in the basket. Find your own personal treasure and bring home a great souvenir of your time in Japan. An optional tour is also available for those interested in visiting to the kiln workshop and learning more about Arita ware.

How to get there

From Kyushu Saga International Airport, take the Access Bus to Saga Station Bus Center (about 40 minutes), then the JR limited express train from Saga Station to Arita Station (about 40 minutes). Kouraku Kiln is about 5 minutes by taxi from Arita Station.

2512 Maruo Hei, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga-ken