FebruaryNagasaki Lantern Festival
Kyushu ・ Nagasaki
Usually around February, at the time of the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) (17 days from February 5 to 21 in 2027)
2027: Feb 5 (Fri) – Feb 21 (Sun), 17 days
Event Guide · Kyushu
Arita Ceramic Fair
April–MayKaratsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen
Overview
Overview
A pottery and porcelain market held every Golden Week in Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Begun in 1896, it lines the roughly 4 km stretch from around JR Arita Station to Kami-Arita Station with more than 450 shops. About 1.2 million people visit from all over Japan, mainly from Kyushu.
- When
- Every year April 29 – May 5
- Venue
- Arita Town, Saga Prefecture (about 4 km from around JR Arita Station to Kami-Arita Station)
- Official website
- https://www.arita-toukiichi.or.jp/toukiiti/
Highlights
Highlights
The greatest pleasure is hunting for Arita-ware pieces at kiln and trading-house direct-sale prices. Along the streets of the venue are sights unique to a pottery town, such as the Izumiyama Quarry, birthplace of Japanese porcelain; the tonbai walls built from fire bricks recycled from kilns; and Toyama Shrine, with its porcelain torii gate and komainu guardian dogs.
Times
Times
Shop hoursUntil sunset
Official information from the Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation. Opening times vary by shop
Pedestrian-only zone (Arita Station to Izumiyama Quarry entrance)9:30–16:30
From 9:00 on April 29 only. 2025 information from the Arita Tourist Association
Luggage storage (Ninomiya Kanzan)9:00–18:00
2025 information from the Arita Tourist Association. There are other storage locations as well
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓For popular kilns’ wares, go on the first day; for discounts, aim for the last day (Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation guidance)
- ✓The venue stretches about 4 km, so work gloves, sneakers and a backpack that leaves your hands free make it easier (Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation guidance)
- ✓During the fair, the Limited Express Midori and Huis Ten Bosch make extra stops at Kami-Arita Station (check official sources for stop details, which vary by year). Roads get congested, so public transport is recommended
- ✓Use luggage storage for heavy purchases so you can browse unencumbered
- ✓A Web Arita Ceramic Fair is also held for those who can’t come in person (April 25 – May 6 in 2026)
Access
Getting there
- Nearest stations
- JR Arita Station (JR Sasebo Line, Matsuura Railway)Right outsideWestern starting point of the venue
- JR Kami-Arita Station (JR Sasebo Line)Right outsideEastern starting point of the venue. Limited express trains make extra stops during the fair
- From major stations
- Hakata Station: JR Limited Express Midori or Huis Ten Bosch to Arita Station, or to Kami-Arita Station, where they make extra stops during the fair
- Extra buses & shuttles
- During the fair, shuttle buses run from temporary parking lots (check the Arita Tourist Association’s ceramic fair information page for the latest)
- Getting back
- Arita and Kami-Arita stations get crowded in the late afternoon with people heading home. Reserve a seat or shift your return time
- Using luggage storage for your purchases lets you browse unencumbered until you leave
Crowds
Crowds & best timing
- Busiest times
- Golden Week holidays and weekends
Weather
Weather & what to wear
- Evening temperatures
- Normals for the Karatsu / Arita / Ureshino Onsen area (Ureshino) are a high of 20.1°C and low of 8.0°C in April, and a high of 24.7°C and low of 12.8°C in May. Mornings and evenings can be chilly
- What to wear
- Comfortable clothes for walking, plus a layer for mornings and evenings. A hat and sunscreen on sunny days
- Rain, snow & typhoons
- Check official announcements for arrangements in rain
- Where to check for cancellations
- Arita Chamber of Commerce and Industry (0955-42-4111), Arita Ceramic Fair official website (https://www.arita-toukiichi.or.jp/)
Etiquette
Local rules & etiquette
- !The wares are fragile, so ask the shop staff before picking something up and handle it carefully with both hands
- !Outside pedestrian-only hours, cars use the street, so be careful when walking
- !At Toyama Shrine, bow once before the torii gate and follow proper etiquette for worship
- !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
- !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities
Facilities
- Lockers & luggage
- Luggage storage is available within the venue (Ninomiya Kanzan and others in 2025)
- ATMs
- Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
- Wheelchairs & strollers
- Strollers and wheelchairs are available to borrow (2025 information from the Arita Tourist Association). The venue is crowded, so getting around takes time
Food
Food
- Local favorites
- Ceramic Fair morning rice porridge (held in 2025)
- Vegetarian & halal
- Restaurants offering vegetarian or halal options are limited, so it helps to check in advance
🏨 Where to stay during the event
There are few places to stay in Arita, so consider Ureshino Onsen, Takeo Onsen or Sasebo, or a day trip from Fukuoka
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Arita Ceramic FairPR
- PR9.4
ケラミックアリタ
Check rates on Agoda84 reviews1.2 km from center 
PR6.5民宿有田
★Check rates on Agoda59 reviews1.2 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Kyushu
February
MayHakata Dontaku Port Festival
Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu
Every year May 3 and 4 (eve festival on May 2)
JulyHakata Gion Yamakasa
Kyushu ・ Fukuoka & Dazaifu
Every year July 1–15 (the Oiyama race starts at 4:59 in the early morning of the 15th)
September
OctoberNovember–FebruaryHuis Ten Bosch Winter Illumination
Kyushu ・ Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch
Usually early November to late February
2026–27 season: Nov 6 (Fri) – Feb 25, 2027 (Thu)
November–FebruaryTakachiho Yokagura (Night Kagura)
Kyushu ・ Takachiho
Usually mid-November to early February the following year (dates differ by village)
NovemberOhara Festival
Kyushu ・ Kagoshima, Sakurajima & Ibusuki
Every year November 2 (Yoru Matsuri) and 3 (Hon Matsuri)
2026: Nov 2 (Mon) Yoru Matsuri & Nov 3 (Tue, holiday) Hon Matsuri
NovemberKaratsu Kunchi
Kyushu ・ Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen
Every year November 2–4 (Yoiyama on the 2nd, Otabisho Shinko on the 3rd, Yokujitsu-sai town tour on the 4th)
2026: Nov 2 (Mon) – Nov 4 (Wed), 3 days
Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.
Last checked: 2026-10-02
