There is a hidden pottery village located in the mountainous area of Imari Town in Saga Prefecture. It is such a gem of a location that not many people know about it, except of course those who are ceramic lovers. For these people the location is 7th heaven as it is so peaceful and tranquil, at times it feels as though one has stepped back in time.
Okawachiyama which translates as Big River in the Mountains doesn't feel like a place designed for the 21st Century. Time runs a lot slower in these parts of the countryside and its a place where you can forget about life for a half a day and feel the time slip of the region.
On this particular day, I arrived a little later than I wanted to. It was a weekday and there was hardly anyone around so basically I had the whole village to myself. I have been told that this isn't the case on weekends when quite a lot more tourists and visitors from around Kyushu congregate in the pottery regions of Kyushu looking for that one special piece that will make their ceramic collection complete. Of course for those die hart fans of all things ceramic, this is never the case! You will never be satisfied with what you have and you will always be looking for the next piece.
I will plan another trip over the following months to get a better lay of the land. Even if the village is busier I am sure it will still be a quiet and quaint place to explore all the nook and crannies in great detail.
Please check below to see Okawachiyama Village on a map:
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
Many different types of ceramics
Kilns galore
Quality Chinaware
The main bridge is very decorative
Chess anyone?
Looks of workshops to explore
Plenty of side streets to explore
Ceramic murals are everywhere
This is a potters village
Lots of pottery types here.
A special piece
Many shops selling their wares
Pottery exhibits are plentiful
One of the more narrow entrances
As quaint as it gets!
The quality is exceptional
Please click on these videos below to see more about Okawachiyama, the quaint hidden pottery village:
The Kyushu Ceramic Museum although technically not in Nagasaki, shows various styles of Pottery not just from Nagasaki but also from all the regions around Kyushu including the big 4 of Arita, Hasami, Mikawachi and Imari.
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
If you want to experience and understand the history of pottery from the area, there is definitely enough English provided to give you plenty of background information and to allow you to delve into the finer details of all this regarding Kyushu Ceramics.
Lots of exhibits
Without a doubt any pottery enthusiast would need at least 2 hours here at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum in order to fully check out all the attractions and information provided within the showcases. I really had to check my time in order to stay within my scheduled time, which was 1 hour. I will probably have to return again someday to really get the most out of my visit as it felt like i left too many things on the table
Information about ceramics
Huge selection
The range of products and displays at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum are as diverse and wide ranging as you would expect from a highly rated institution. They get visitors from all over Japan and many more from abroad and this reflects in their efforts to provide as much English signposting and subtitling.
Once you have finished inside there is a lovely garden outside that deserves a stroll and a wander around. Very peaceful and with many cherry trees, so if your visit coincides with Spring then you will be able to see the cherry blossoms as well.
Well worth a visit!
Please click here to see Kyushu Ceramic Museum below on a map:
Check out these 2 videos to see more about the Kyushu Ceramic Museum:
