Port
Sasebo, Japan
Activity Level
Moderate
Excursion Type
All
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At
$119.95
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
Meals Included
Meals not included
Your half day excursion begins with a panoramic motorcoach drive to the Arita area. Arita porcelain is well known in Japan and around the world. The feudal lord of the Sage Clan brought a Korean potter to Japan to make porcelain here and, indeed, the town has never looked back.
Step inside at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum, purpose-built for collecting and exhibiting porcelain, researching the history of local kilns, and diffusing ceramic culture.
You'll also visit one of the kilns used for firing the porcelain. Watch the craftsmen working the kiln, and you will have a chance to purchase the products made here.
A pause at the Izumiyama Quarry allows you to take photos of the place where kaolin -- the raw material for Arita porcelain -- was discovered in 1616. The quarry is no longer in use, but you'll see the mountain's rather spectacular shape that is the result of the harvesting of the kaolin.
Notes:
Bring local currency, as many vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tour does not operate on Mondays, weekends or holidays.