Arita Ceramic Fair

More than a million people come to enjoy this ceramic fair every year. About 450 pottery shops open along the street (about 4 kilometers long) stretching from Kami Arita Station to Arita Station. There will also be various events such as the local gourmet fair and the table coordination exhibition.

Azalea Festival in Takenokoba Park

This azalea fair is held in Takenokoba Park when about 10,000 of azalea are in full bloom. There are vegetable markets, open-air concerts as well as bingo games during the fair. You can enjoy the view of islands including Iroha Island in the Imari Bay and Iki & Tsushima Island in the Genkai Sea.

Lavender Fair

Here at China On The Park, you will be fascinated by the wonderful scent and the view of the purple carpet composed of 300㎡ English Lavender field, which spread across the 2,300 square meters field.

Okawachiyama Furin (Wind Bell) Festival

During this festival, the town of Okawachiyama will be filled with sounds of many attractive wind bells produced by the kilns in the area. Boshi (a container used when firing a ceramic) Lantern Festival, scheduled to be held in mid-July, is going to fill the area with fantastic atmosphere.

Summer in Imari/Docchan Festival

The port of Imari is known for its busy export of Imari porcelain during the Edo period, and Docchan Festival is held to recreate the life of the port through carrying of miniature shrines by women and dance by citizens. "Docchan" means "to where" and it derives from the story that merchants, who came to Imari, were entertained by the local merchants but couldn't decide where to go because there were so many places of entertainment. The highlight is the carrying of shrines by women and it is a must-see.

Imari Ton-Ten-Ton Festival

This festival has been held at Imari Shrine since the Edo period, and it is known as one of the three biggest fighting festivals in Japan.

Imari Autumn Festival

Imari Autumn Festival is held in late October every year along with Tontenton Festival and is a local festival for the citizens. During the festival there are events such as a parade, carrying miniature shrine by children, “Imari Dance” by some companies and organizations as well as drum performances called “Imari Daiko”. Imari will be full of festival atmosphere with those events and shops.

Nabeshima Domain Kiln Autumn Festival

Nabeshima Domain Kiln Autumn Festival is held in Okawachiyama, Imari, the porcelain town nestled in the mountain where the traditional porcelain making method of the kiln once owned by the Nabeshima Clan has been handed down since the Edo Period (17th - 19th century). Expressing gratitude toward predecessors who contributed to the development of the town, a porcelain is dedicated to Nipposha Shrine and a memorial ritual for the brushes used for painting porcelains are held as part of the festival. The porcelain fair held during the festival offers porcelains and potteries at 20 to 30 percent discount and attracts a lot of visitors every year. Another great thing you must check out is the beautiful colored leaves in the Okawachiyama area, the national historic site surrounded by mountain cliffs like those you would see in Chinese style landscape paintings.

Arita Autumn Ceramic Fair

This ceramic fair is held with a slightly different atmosphere from Arita Ceramic Fair held in Spring. It won't be as hectic. While enjoying the great hospitality of the local stores and kilns, you can stroll around the town designated as Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings. One of the greatest features of the fair is that one of the famous kilns of Arita open its door to public to show the traditional pottery production method called "Makigamataki."

Kagayake (Let it Shine)! Imari Festival

The lights decorating Imari Station Park, Imari Odori Street and the trees along the arcade create dreamy atmosphere in Imari.

Arita Hiina Dolls Festival

This is an event to celebrate Hinamatsuri (Girl's Festival) by displaying porcelain hina dolls which are unique to Arita. Meissen porcelain hina dolls made by Kakiemon (a famous pottery master) and the world’s largest porcelain hina dolls will be exhibited at the event. In spring, Arita porcelain hina dolls will decorate the shops and kilns in Arita, and restaurants in the area will serve special menus (limited-time offer).

Porcelain Hiina Dolls Festival

This festival of porcelain hina doll is held in Okawachiyama, the home of many hideaway kilns. Porcelain dolls unique to each kiln will be exhibited and sold.

Flower Viewing at Imari Baien / Fujino'o Plum Orchard

Here you can take a stroll around the orchard while enjoying the blossoms of plum trees. From above the hilly part in the orchard, you can enjoy the superb panoramic view of the orchard and the town of Imari. The orchard also overlooks the nice view of Mount Koshidake, which is referred to as “a Mount Fuji in Imari.”

Cherry Blossoms in Sakuragaoka Park in Arita Town

The lawn-covered park will be decorated with Yaezakura (double-flowered cherry). Many families visit here to enjoy flower viewing and barbecue. You can also enjoy grass skiing in the park.

Okawachiyama Spring Ceramic Fair

This is the annual pottery fair held by 30 kilns of the secret pottery village registered as Japan Heritage, Okawachiyama. You can purchase the pottery at reasonable prices. There will also be an exhibition of new pottery works themed on spring and a shopping stamp rally held along with the fair. You will also be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of Okawachiyama area with cherry blossoms in full bloom at the time of the fair.

Uranosaki Station Sakura Tunnel

Somei Yoshino which covers the railroad tracks of "Matsu-ura Railway, Uranosaki Station" was planted when the station first opened, and it has been protected by the locals. Approximately 80 of them decorate the scenery of the train. Whether you look at the scenery from inside the train or to look at the train going by with cherry blossom in the background, they both have its own way to be enjoyed and Japanese railroad fans love it. At its best season "Sakura Station Festival" will be held.

Arita Sarayama Festival

"Bon Odori" is where people dance when skillfully hold and clang plates of Arita wares on both hands. Starting from the group of the district which is on duty, other groups consisting of men and women of all ages dances the Bon Odori and parade around the town. This is an autumn festival that is particular to Arita, the town of pottery.

This tree is approximately 900 years old. It is said that it was brought back from Mibudera Temple in Kyoto. It is called "Myojo Zakura" (cherry bloosom of morning star" for the petals which look like the stars that appear at dawn when the tree is lit by the light of the bonfire under the tree.

In early April, "Spring Pottery Market" is held and each potter exhibits and sells their new spring-themed products. As it is the most beautiful season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it is very crowded with tourists.

How about taking a walk in Hanyo park while enjoying the autumn leaves and finding your favorite pottery?

A weeping cherry blossoms tree in the precinct of Nichiren Kuon-san Jissoin Temple. This beautiful weeping cherry blossoms is a must-see.

You can see the splendid view of approximately 450 Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms and Yae cherry blossoms. This is the best spot of cherry blossoms in the city.