Arita Ceramic Fair

Arita Ceramic Fair

Arita Ceramic Fair The Arita Ceramic Fair is one of the representative ceramics and pottery festivals held during the Japanese Golden Week Holidays (a succession of holidays from April 29 to May 5). Every year from April 29 to May 5, ceramic enthusiasts from all over Japan gather in Arita, a ceramic village in the tranquil mountains, and the town instantly becomes bustling with visitors.
The Arita Ceramic Fair has roots in an old-time storehouse clearance sale, called Kura Zarae Ouridashi, which was held as a support event for a ceramic fair convened in 1915 (current Kyushu Yamaguchi Touji ten), although some records show that similar ceramic fairs were held even before the Kura Zarae Ouridashi. According to one theory, it began from a business that targeted parties of pilgrims gathered from all over the nation to get to a sacred place, Mount Kurokami, on the 2nd and 3rd of May. This business was said to be a ceramic fair that originated the current ceramic fair, selling oddments and defective ceramics and potteries at store fronts at low prices.
More than 500 shops line the main street that stretches for about 4 km from JR Arita Station to Kami Arita Station. The whole area is busy with a legion of people until sunset each day. The visitors enjoy themselves to their hearts content, finding good buys and appreciating ceramics made by up-and-coming potters. Among ceramic enthusiasts, it has become standard practice to purchase name brand items on the first day of the fair and wait till the last day to purchase bargain priced items.
It is recommended to come with a backpack, cotton work gloves and sneakers. An interaction with vendors is another attraction of the ceramic fair.

● Contacts:
Arita Chamber of Commerce and Industry: +81-955-42-4111
Division of Planning, Commerce and Tourism, Arita Town Government: +81-955-46-2500
Arita Tourism Information Center: +81-955-43-2121

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