You know you are in Ceramic Territory when the Shrines are decked out in Porcelain designs. It's actually quite remarkable for such a religious and hence traditional institution to allow these designs but when you think about it, it's actually a marketing masterpiece that will attract more customers to the region to see something unique.
The Tozan Shrine is specifically located just above a train station is its easy to find but of course you just have to be careful when crossing the tracks. But don't worry since we are in the remote countryside of Kyushu there aren't too many trains in a daily routine. Walking towards the Shrine is a cultural event in itself. You literally have to stop and look intensely at every statue, pillar, column and of course the main torii entrance gates that feature at every Shinto Shrine in Japan.
The Shrine is also dedicated to Lee Sam Pei, the Korean Potter (who was allegedly brought to Japan by force in the 17th century) who is the person that developed and started the 1st Ceramic Industry in Japan, specifically here in Arita, Saga Prefecture. His memorial statue is located up on a hill behind the shrine and although it is a great view up there of the entire town, unless you have a specific reason to do so, visiting the statue is not a moving moment at all.
I recommend this site as its centrally located near many other attractions off a main street and it's obviously the only Shrine in Japan that is decorated just so. You miss it here, and you will not see another one, period!
Please check out the Tozan Shrine in Arita Town on a map:
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
Purification time
Porcelain is incredible
Even small is impressive
Interesting roof tiles
Too many details to fathom
The torii gate is impressive
The size of the vases are massive
Check out the detail
Has a magnificent view
Please click on the video below to see more about Tozan Shrine:
Our popular WW2 History and Culture Tour of Nagasaki incorporates a long drive at the beginning of the day. I was looking for a location to visit in order to reduce the time spent between attractions. Low and behold this huge Torii (Gate Entrance of Shinto Shrines) came into view and instantly I knew that this was the place that I was looking for.
At first, I thought that the Cultural component of the tour would be boosted to meet up with the many historical locations already firmly in place. But little did I expect the Sohonzan Shrine to tick every box and literally surprise me to no end that this location in its own right is one of the highlight attraction of the whole day.
It has everything you need as a shore excursion stop. A chance to stretch your legs, a toilet break, nature and landscapes, a strong cultural component and in total a site that makes you glad it was included in the itinerary.
Of course, in my time here in Japan, I have been to a thousand shrines. Some are excellent, some are ho hum, some are preached as the most important or religiously significant shrines of the region. In this case, I won't do any of that but what I will tell you is that Sohonzan Shrine will leave a strong impression on you even if you have been to many in the past.
I am really please that many of our clients have felt exactly the same way about their visit and time here at Sohonzan Shrine as I did on my first time. It is now a mainstay attraction of this tour and I hope it will be for many years to come.
Please look below to see the Sohonzan Shrine on a map:
Please click on this link below to see a clients Google maps review:
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:
Beppu has recently become the 3rd most popular cruising destination on many of the International Cruise Companies Japan itineraries in Kyushu after Nagasaki and Kagoshima.
I have had some many requests by existing and potential customers if I could do a Shore Excursion in this region of Kyushu. I can understand that it takes a lot of time, effort as well as trust to hire a private guide for your shore excursions especially when we are talking about Japan, where there may be language, cultural and timing issues.
I believe now I will be able to attract a wider clientele by offering this new service and will continue to strive and make adjustments to my business setup and deliverance of services.
On this day, even though there wasn't a Cruise Ship in port, a Japanese Naval destroyer was in its place and I was able to make sure the logistics of a smooth tour pick up were viable. In the not too distant future, I will revisit this location on a real Cruise arrival and make any further adjustments if necessary.
Please check out the Beppu International Tourism Port on a map.
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
It;s quite a large berth
Was a busy place on this day
Peaceful location
Beautiful scenery
The Navy were in town
Click here to see some video of the Beppu International Tourism Port:
