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Arita, Japan

First and most importantly, I had a glass of plum wine and I loved it. Well I had half a glass. Because of diabetes and CKD, I have to be very careful in what I eat or drink but I cheat because what is life without food or drink.

Clean and others on forum recommended plum wine.

I am sailing to JeJu Island right now and I would love a glass of plum wine b

We ported in Sasebo yesterday and I took an excursion to Aria which is best known for Arita Pottery.

Arita was different for me as it was a small city and very green and plush. I think but I am not sure that it may have been in the mountains

This was a very long excursion of about 7 hours but it was more relaxing than the other excursions it was guided but is easy enough to do your own thing. And it was difficult for even me to get lost.

We began the excursion by having lunch. It was a traditional Japanese lunch in a very beautiful Japanese restaurant.

I have discovered that I do not like raw fish but I was able to eat the crayfish which is popular in Texas. I sort of enjoyed most of the other items although I did not know what I was often eating

The flavoring of foods that I am familiar with is different than what I am used to in the states. Possibly it is healthier for me given that I have diabetes and CKD.

From the restaurant, we visited a park, a really beautiful park. There was a large snack store at the entrance with all sorts of wonderful snacks.

We could walk with tour guide or do our own thing. I chose the latter and did some walking but not a lot because of problems with my legs and I have problems keeping up with group

I really liked that we can tour with guide or do our own thing.

Then we went to the factory where Arita Pottery is made We visited the show room where there was some very expensive pieces and I mean very expensive. From there we walked to the outlet, where Arita was sold at greatly reduced prices due to an imperfection that you could not see with naked eye. Some of the guests purchased a piece or more

We then went to visit a shrine which is noted because Arita pottery is used within the Tori gates I was niot able to walk up the steps to the shrine. I was not alone. Several other persons chose not to participate either because of the steps or for other reasons. It was a good thing that I did not attempt the stairs because when the group reached the top there was a religious ceremony happening and the group had to turn around and come back.

Perhaps this was the center of Arita because there were many shops selling pottery. It was after 5 pm and most shops were closed but some were still open.

It seemed like what was being sold all looked similar to me but maybe not if you know ceramics or pottery

I do not know if the products were all the Arita brand or if other brands were included. I have to do some research.

Some in my group bought one or more pieces in the shops

To be continued.

Posted by
7650 posts

Glad you got to go to Arita!
I remember that the Sasebo stop originally did not include such a tour, and I felt it was a shame.

I visited Arita in February, and really enjoyed it. The shrine with the ceramic torii gate is nice but you didn't miss that much, to be honest. Window shopping in that part of Arita is just as fun as there are indeed a lot of shops!

And to clarify, Arita porcelain is made in many different kilns around Arita. It is not a brand, just a style, and it is known for the application of multiple colored glazes in succession, with several firings. Pieces with intricate layers of color are very expensive, but the ones that stick to the simple blue glaze are still very pretty, and much cheaper since they do not require additional firings.

Fun fact: I came home with a suitcase (hand luggage) full of carefully packed Arita ware picked at the outlet of one of the kilns (Kouraku). Lots of cute dishes and bowl for about 40 dollars. Nothing broke.