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Big Gingko Tree (Ruins of Old Guard House) 　Within the shrine district of “Benzaiten-shrine” is a big gingko tree, which may be the biggest in Japan. It is about 1000 years old, 40 meters high, 18 meters in circumference and its treetop is 31 meters from East to West. From the middle to the end of November leaves turn yellow and is charming to the spectator. In 1926 (Showa 15) the tree became a National Cultural Heritage.
Under the Big Gingko Tree the ruins of an old guard house can be found. During the Edo-Period, officials from Saga domain strictly controlled incoming and outgoing china stone and pottery items.

【Place】: 1-13 Izumiyama Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 available

●Izumiyama Quarry

Izumiyama Quarry 　This is the quarry, where the kaolin stone, the source of Arita-Porcelain, was taken from. In the beginning of the Edo-Period in 1616 a Korean potter named Ri Sam Pei found kaolin stone and made white porcelain for the first time in Japan. Nowadays, mining has almost stopped and the shape of the mountain has become a wonderful sight.

【Place】: 1-5 Izumiyama Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 8 cars

●Memorial for the first Potters

Memorial for the first Potters 　This memorial commemorates the achievements of outstanding potters in Arita and was built by using remnants of old kilns. In 1966 (Showa 41), marking the 350th anniversary of porcelain manufacturing in Arita, it was planned and in 1982 (Showa 57) completed. Its shape resembles an old kiln, called “noborigama” in Japanese.

【Place】: 1-5 Izumiyama Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 8 cars

●Arita’s Uchiyama district (Preservation of important traditional buildings)

Arita’s Uchiyama district (Preservation of important traditional buildings) 　The Uchiyama district, which was built in the Edo-Period, is a district that ranges about 2km from the upper guard house (in Izumiyama) to the lower guard house (in Iwayagawachi). The houses represents different periods, like Edo, Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa. In 1928 (Bunsei 11) most buildings were destroyed by a typhoon in coincidence with a big fire. Most buildings, which can be seen today, were built after that fire. In 1991 (Heisei 3) the whole area became an Important Preservation District for Groups of important Historic Buildings.

【Place】: Izumiyama Arita-chō～Akaemachi～Iwayagawachi district

●The tombai-walls in the back roads

The tombai-walls in the back roads 　The tombai-walls are walls, that have been built using bricks dismantled from nobori-gama (traditional Japanese kiln), thrown away tools used in the porcelain making process, fragments of old porcelain among others and ceilings with red clay. In former times merchants established shops on the main streets, whereas the potters and porcelain painters lived in the back roads, where pedestrian traffic was low. In order to hide the secret techniques of making porcelain from outside watchers, high tombai-walls were built around the mansions and workplaces. The tombai-walls with its earthen walls are characteristic of the Porcelain town of Arita.

【Place】: Izumiyama Arita-chō～ Kamikōbira ～Ōdaru district, Hiekoba district

●Tōzan Shrine

Tōzan Shrine 　The shrine is dedicated to Ri Sam Pei, the so called “Father of Arita Porcelain”, and is said to have been built around 1658. A historic site, which can not be found at other shrines are the “torii” (archway at the entrance of the shrine), “koma-inu” (statues of guardian dogs), basins and vases, which are all made out of Arita Porcelain. Here you can feel the atmosphere of the porcelain town of Arita.

【Place】: 2-5 Ōdaru Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 10 cars
【TEL】: 0955－42－3310

※Homepage　（Japanese Only）

●Ri Sam Pei Monument

Ri Sam Pei Monument 　This monument is dedicated to the potter Ri Sam Pei, who discovered kaolin stone at Izumiyama and succeeded in making white porcelain for the first time in Japan. It was built in 1917 (Taishō 6) marking the 300th anniversary of Arita Porcelain. From above you have a beautiful view over the houses and kilns of Arita.

【Place】: 2-5 Ōdaru Arita-chō
※10 min. walk away from Tōzan Shrine
【Parking lot】 10 cars（Tōzan Shrine）/dt>

●Keiun Temple

　In 1896 (Meiji 29), the first ceramics fair was held at Keiun Temple. It was the place of origin for the annually held “Arita Ceramics Fair”. At that time a red carpet was laid out and many rare china wares were displayed which attracted many people.

【Place】: 1-3-1 Kōbira Arita-chō

●Restored kaolin mill

Restored kaolin mill 　The reproduction of a kaolin mill hut from former times that works. Draw up water with the lever and crush the dug out kaolin stone into powder. During former times in Arita Sarayama there were over 10 places with more than one hundred kaolin mills, their creaking sound and the ripple sound of water could be heard day and night.

【Place】: 2-6 Shirokawa Arita-chō

●Arita Dam

Arita Dam 　　The lake surface of this beautiful dam is referred to as “the secret color”. The lake surrounded by mountains has many trees, which paint the lake surface according to the four seasons in magnificent color. Beside the bronze sculpture of a young girl made by the sculptor Koga Tadao, which is like a guardian deity of this scenery, is a stone monument inscribed with a poem of Yamamoto Tarō, who was called the leader of the Japanese Society of poets in the post WWII period. Promenades surrounding the lake are a good place to take a walk, especially during the cherry blossom season and in autumn when leaves turn colors.

【Place】: Shirokawa Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 available

●Ijinkan (former guesthouse for foreign traders)

Ijinkan (former guesthouse for foreign traders) 　　In 1876 (Meiji 9) a wealthy merchant named Sukesaku Tashiro built the Ijinkan as a guesthouse for foreign traders, who came to buy porcelain, in a mixture of Japanese and Western style architecture. Inside is a spiral staircase, which was revolutionary for that time. The Ijinkan became an Important Cultural Property of Saga Prefecture. (The inside of the building can not be visited)

【Place】: 1-2 Kōbira Arita-chō

●Remains of Tengudani Kiln

天狗谷窯跡　This kiln is one of the first kilns in Japan, where porcelain was produced, and a kiln from the early period when porcelain manufacturing began to develop in Arita. The kiln was built by Ri Sam Pei, the “Father of Arita Porcelain”. Records written down by the Kangae Family, descendants of Ri Sam Pei, show that after finding kaolin stone at Izumiyama, he built the kiln at the Tengu ravine in Shirokawa, where water and firewood were available. It soon became a flourishing place where he tought techniques and skills of craftsmanship. The kiln, a “nobori-gama”, was built using the slope of a mountain and is estimated to have been 3~8m in wide and over 50m long.

【Place】: 1-4 Shirokwa Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 available

●Hyakubasen Monument

Hyakubasen Monument 　Hyakubasen was the wife of a Korean potter concerned with the establishment of Arita Porcelain. The stone monument was built inside Hōōn Temple in 1705 (Hōei 2). She was honoured by many potters and was an important leader. Hyakubasen died in 1656 (Meireki 2) at the age of 96.

【Place】: 2-8-21 Hiekoba Arita-chō

●Ryūmon Ravine

　A mysterious atmosphere hangs in the air at the Ryūmon Ravine. The appearance of the ravine varies from season to season: in spring cherry blossoms, in summer lush green, and in autumn leaves turn colors. The water that runs at the ravine is so pure, that it was selected among the top 100 of Japan’s “meisui – famous spring water” and “forest of a fountainhead”. While you can hear the “kajika” - frog singing, the water is used for local sake and the carps raised in the water have an excellent taste.

【Place】: Hiroseyama Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 available

●Ryūmon Camping Ground

Ryūmon Camping Ground 　At the Ryūmon Ravine, the entrance of mountain climbing to Kurokami mountain range, the Kurokami mountain house is located at the camping ground with its bungalows. Amidst nature it is a perfect location for outdoor activities on holidays. Hiking along the near hiking trails and cave will sure be exciting.

【Place】: Hiroseyama Arita-chō
【Open】: all year (except New Year’s Holiday)
【Parking lot】 available
【Reservation & Information】: TEL：0955－46－5613
FAX：0955－46－2100

●Mount Kurokami

　　The mountain is about 516m high. In former times the mountain range was in accordance with religious beliefs a sacred mountain. The mountain is famous for the legends of “the defeat of the giant serpent” and the Buddhist priest “Kōbō Taishi”, which lasts still today. At the foot of Mount Kurokami many place names can be found, which derived from the legend of the giant serpent. It is also famous for its treasure of many rare plants, beginning with the National Natural Monument “kanekoshida”, a fern. In order to preserve it for the 21st century the mountain range was selected among the top 100 of Japan’s nature heritage sites. From Arita Town there are two entries to climb the mountain, the Ryūmon Ravine and Arita Dam, from each it will take one hour and a half to reach the mountain’s top. On the way are pure waters, rocky areas, and a cave. You can feel the excitement of being immersed in the forest. From the mountain top, you have a fantastic panoramic view of the Ariake Sea, the Ōmura Bay, up to the Karatsu Bay.

●Kyūshū Nature Trail (Kurinokitōge ~ Mount Kurokami course)

　At the Kyūshū Nature Trail the beautiful scenery of each season can be enjoyed: from the starting point in Saga Prefecture at Kurinokitōge, up to the top of Mount Kunimi. Descending the terraced rice fields alongside the ruins of Castle Tōsen via Ryūmon Ravine till Mount Kurokami the nature trail is 15.2 km long. In autumn when leaves turn colors, Mount Kunimi is a deep red giving you a real feeling of the changing of the seasons.
※ time required: 6 hours

●Arita Dai-Kannon

Arita Dai-Kannon 　The Ryūsen Temple, which is known as the family temple of “the father of Arita Porcelain” Ri Sam Pei has built a great statue of Kannon (a Buddhist deity of mercy). It took 7 years to make the painting of the Bodhisattva Shō-Kannon, which is about 10m high. The temple built with eleven joists each with the height of 19m is at total 23m high. (This is the greatest height allowed today by the Japanese act on wooden buildings)
At the entrance of the walkway to the temple are Japan’s largest statues of Deva Kings, Buddhist guardian gods at temple gates, as well as a restaurant and a shop.

【Place】: 2318-1 Yamadanimaki Arita-chō
【Opening hours】: 9：00～17：00
【Visiting admission (offering)】　: ￥300
【TEL】: 0955－46－2882
【Parking lot】 50 cars & bus

●Ruins of Castle Tōsen (Yamada Shrine)

Ruins of Castle Tōsen (Yamada Shrine) 　Since the Heian-Period the castle at this place was in possession of the Matsuura-party Arita clan. The period in which the castle was erected is not definitely known, but it is presumed to be 1218 (Kenpō 6). The founder of Matsuura-party Minamoto no hisashi Sakae made Arita his home castle. With the order “one country one castle” from the first year of Genna (1615) by the Tokugawa shogunate the castle was abolished. The ruins of the inner citadel and the smoke signal station last till today, and it is well known for its cherry blossom trees. At the south side of the ruins is the Tōsen Park, a place for relaxation and refreshment.

【Place】: Yamadanimaki Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 available

●Terraced rice fields at Take

Terraced rice fields at Take 　The terraced rice fields interweave the landscape and soften the sloped mountain’s surface. In order to use the soil in mountainous region effectively, it took the farmers many years and hardships to make the stair like rice fields. Like the rearing water of life, the terraced rice fields protect us. Terraced rice fields can be seen at the Yamadani region in Arita, but the rice fields at the Take region are such picturesque scenery that they were elected among Japan’s 100 most beautiful terraced rice fields. (Selected in July 1999)

【Place】: Take Arita-chō

●Kunimi Lake Shore Park

Kunimi Lake Shore Park 　Inside the park, which is 500 meters above sea level, is a lake shore park using the waterside space of a water reservoir. The direct seller for agricultural products called “Ajisai Village” is a suitable spot for a drive on holidays. From there you have a superb view over Arita-chō, Imari-shi and the mountains of the western part of Saga Prefecture.

【Place】: Yamamoto Arita-chō
【Parking lot】 available (bus)

●History and Culture Park

History and Culture Park 　　The Park was the main assembly location for the World Ceramics Exhibition which was held in 1996 (Heisei 8). There are 8 cultural facilities [culture creation], [exchange], etc. with the World Ceramics Exhibition Memorial Hall as its center. A walking promenade and a playground for children are located in the park, where you can have a good time with the whole family. At the fountain plaza a monument [Fire Flower] can be found, the posthumous work of Okamoto Tarō. As a motif for the work a women’s body was taken, and as might be expected, stunning in its presence seen in reality.

【Place】: 1788 Kurogō Arita-chō
【Park: opening hours】: sunrise ~ sunset; however gates open from 8:00
【World Ceramics Exhibition Memorial Hall: opening hours】: 9：00～22：00
※Admission free, admission may be charged at events
【Holidays】: New Years Holiday
【TEL】: 0955－46－5010
【Parking lot】 available (bus)

●Sakura ga oka Park (Magarikawa Park)

Sakura ga oka Park (Magarikawa Park) 　From the last third of April the Yae-Sakura (double cherry blossoms) and in May the azalea (rhododendron) can be enjoyed. During the Hanami (flower viewing) season it is illuminated which attracts many visitors. Many outdoor activities like grass skiing can be done.