The Arita Uchiyama Traditional Buildings Preservation District is a historic townscape in Arita Town, Nishimatsuura District, Saga Prefecture. Internationally known as the home of Arita ware, the area preserves traditional buildings that reflect the prosperity of Japan’s porcelain industry from the early Edo period onward.
White-walled storehouses, historic pottery workshops, merchant houses, and distinctive ceramic walls line its streets. The district offers visitors an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese ceramics town while discovering the history of Arita porcelain, one of Japan’s most celebrated forms of craftsmanship.
The area has been selected by the Japanese government as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Covering approximately 15.9 hectares, it is one of the most significant historic townscapes in Saga Prefecture.
Arita Uchiyama developed as a center of porcelain production from the early 17th century. As Arita ware became increasingly popular, pottery workshops, kilns, merchants, and related businesses flourished, shaping the town’s distinctive streetscape.
Many of the buildings that survive today date from the Edo period through the early Showa period. They preserve architectural features from the era when Arita was a prosperous center of porcelain manufacturing and trade.
The main streets are lined with historic pottery producers and merchant houses. Their architecture combines traditional Japanese elements with Western influences, creating a distinctive townscape in which different architectural styles coexist.
Behind the main streets, narrower lanes contain pottery workshops, kiln-related facilities, and workspaces. These areas are not simply preserved as historical scenery: they remain part of the everyday life and working environment of the town.
Arita Town has worked to protect its historic landscape through the Arita Town Urban Landscape Ordinance, established in 1989.
On April 30, 1991, the Arita Uchiyama district was officially selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government. It was the first district in Saga Prefecture to receive this designation.
The designation recognizes the area’s outstanding historical townscape, in which traditional buildings and their surrounding environment together display the distinctive character of a historic porcelain-producing town.
Since the designation, local efforts to preserve the district’s traditional appearance have continued. The preservation work helps protect the architectural heritage while allowing the area to remain a living community where traditional crafts and everyday activities continue.
The Arita Ceramic Museum introduces the history and development of Arita ware. Its exhibits help visitors understand the techniques, styles, and cultural background of the porcelain produced in the town.
For those exploring the historic district, the museum provides useful context for appreciating the traditional buildings and pottery-related facilities that line the streets.
The Former Tashiro Family Western-Style Residence, also known as the Arita Foreigners’ House, is a historic Western-style building associated with the development of Arita’s porcelain industry and its connections with overseas trade.
Its architecture offers a contrast to the traditional Japanese merchant houses and workshops found elsewhere in the district. The building is a reminder that Arita’s ceramic industry has long been connected with international markets and cultural exchange.
One of the most distinctive features of Arita Uchiyama is its narrow backstreet lined with walls known as *tonbai walls*.
These walls are constructed using discarded kiln bricks, fragments of refractory materials, and other pieces left over from ceramic production. Instead of being thrown away, these materials were reused as building materials, creating walls with a unique texture and appearance.
The tonbai walls are closely connected with Arita’s porcelain industry and are an excellent example of how the town’s industrial history has shaped its everyday landscape.
Walking along these narrow lanes offers a different perspective from the main shopping streets. Visitors can observe the materials and architectural details associated with the traditional kiln industry while experiencing the quieter atmosphere of the historic district.
One of the most important annual events in the district is the Arita Ceramic Fair, held every year during Japan’s Golden Week holiday period in late April and early May.
During the fair, the streets of Arita Uchiyama become especially lively as numerous shops and sellers display and sell ceramics. Visitors can browse a wide variety of porcelain products, from everyday tableware to more elaborate decorative pieces.
The event attracts large numbers of visitors and is one of the best opportunities to experience Arita’s ceramic culture in a lively setting. The historic streets provide a memorable backdrop for the market, allowing visitors to combine shopping with sightseeing and an appreciation of the town’s architectural heritage.
The district is officially designated as follows:
The preservation district extends across parts of Iwayagawachi, Nakanohara, Akaemachi, Kōhira, Ōtaru, Kamikōhira, and Izumiyama in Arita Town.
The historic landscape of Arita Uchiyama cannot be understood without learning about Arita ware. The porcelain produced in this area is highly regarded in Japan and overseas for its quality, refined appearance, and technical sophistication.
Arita ware is also widely known by the name Imari ware. During the Edo period, porcelain produced in Arita was transported and shipped overseas through the port of Imari. As a result, the porcelain became known internationally as “Imari.”
From the Meiji period onward, transportation methods changed from shipping by sea to using the railway. The names gradually came to distinguish products made in the two areas: porcelain produced in Arita became known as Arita ware, while products made in Imari came to be called Imari ware.
Even today, the name “Imari” remains widely recognized overseas as a name associated with Japanese porcelain.
The history of Arita ware dates back to the early 17th century. According to the traditional account, Yi Sam-pyeong, a potter who accompanied Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s military campaigns to Korea, discovered a deposit of porcelain stone at Izumiyama in eastern Arita in 1616.
He is credited with producing Japan’s first white porcelain using this material. The discovery marked a turning point in the history of Japanese ceramics, and Arita subsequently developed into Japan’s first major center of porcelain production.
Yi Sam-pyeong is revered as the founder of Arita porcelain and is respectfully known as its ceramic ancestor. Sueyama Shrine in Arita is dedicated to him, reflecting the important place he holds in the town’s history and cultural identity.
In the latter half of the 17th century, overglaze enamel decoration became an important development in Arita porcelain. The technique is believed to have been introduced from China and allowed potters to produce porcelain with vivid colors and more elaborate designs.
One of the best-known styles is the Kakiemon style. It is characterized by delicate decoration on a white porcelain ground, with bright red used as a particularly prominent color.
Kakiemon-style porcelain became highly regarded for its elegant and refined appearance. Its influence extended beyond Japan, and examples of this style became popular in overseas markets.
Arita porcelain developed into a number of distinctive styles, reflecting changes in artistic preferences, production techniques, and the requirements of different patrons.
Among the best-known styles are:
These styles illustrate the diversity of Arita porcelain and the high level of skill developed by its craftsmen over the centuries.
Arita Town continues to produce porcelain while preserving traditional manufacturing techniques. At the same time, local producers develop products that respond to contemporary lifestyles and changing market needs.
Traditional designs and techniques remain important, but Arita ware is not limited to historical reproductions. Modern artists and manufacturers continue to explore new forms, decorative approaches, and uses for porcelain.
Events and exhibitions, including the annual Arita Ceramic Fair, attract visitors from throughout Japan and overseas. These activities help introduce the town’s ceramic heritage to new audiences and support the continuation of its traditional industry.
In 1977, Arita ware was designated a Traditional Craft Product by the Minister of International Trade and Industry, now the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. This designation recognizes the importance of its traditional techniques and craftsmanship.
The historic district is approximately five minutes by car from Hasami-Arita Interchange on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway.
From Arita Station, served by the JR Sasebo Line and Matsuura Railway’s Nishi-Kyūshū Line, the district is approximately a 15-minute walk.
From Kami-Arita Station on the JR Sasebo Line, the district is approximately a five-minute walk. Kami-Arita Station is particularly convenient for visitors who wish to explore the historic streets on foot.
Sueyama Shrine is closely associated with Arita’s porcelain heritage and is dedicated to Yi Sam-pyeong, who is revered as the founder of Arita ware.
The shrine is famous for its unusual porcelain features, including a ceramic torii gate and porcelain guardian figures. It is a distinctive place where the town’s ceramic craftsmanship and religious traditions come together.
The Great Ginkgo Tree of Arita is a well-known natural landmark in the area. In autumn, its leaves turn a brilliant golden yellow, creating a striking seasonal display.
The tree offers a pleasant contrast to the historic streets and ceramic-related attractions of Arita and is particularly attractive during the autumn foliage season.
Arita Uchiyama is much more than a collection of old buildings. Its streets preserve the history of a community that developed around porcelain production, trade, and craftsmanship. Traditional merchant houses, pottery workshops, white walls, and tonbai walls together create a townscape that reflects centuries of industrial and cultural development.
Visitors can learn about the origins of Arita ware, discover the techniques behind its famous decorative styles, and explore the historic buildings that grew alongside the porcelain industry. During the Arita Ceramic Fair, the district becomes especially lively, offering an opportunity to experience its traditions in a festive atmosphere.
For travelers interested in Japanese architecture, traditional crafts, and local history, Arita Uchiyama is one of the most rewarding places to visit in Saga Prefecture. It is a rare opportunity to experience a historic Japanese town where the heritage of porcelain production remains part of everyday life.