Arita, Saga


Arita is a town located in Nishimatsuura District, Saga Prefecture, Japan. It is known for producing Arita porcelain, one of the traditional handicrafts of Japan. It also holds the largest ceramic fair in Western Japan, the Arita Ceramic Fair. This event is held from April 29 to May 5 every year and has thousands of stores and stalls lining the six-kilometre long main street.
On March 1, 2006 the town of Nishiarita, from Nishimatsuura District, was merged into Arita.

Geography

Arita is located in the western part of Saga Prefecture, bordering Nagasaki Prefecture from its southwest to western sides. About 70% of the town is forest and mountains.

Neighbouring municipalities

Arita was one of the first sites in Japan to produce porcelain, Arita ware. The discovery of porcelain stone is attributed to a Korean potter named Kanagae Sambe, although most historians consider this a legend.
According to Japanese census data, this is the population of Arita in recent years.
19952000200520102015
22,81822,31421,57020,92920,148

Twin towns – sister cities

Arita is twinned with:

Prefectural high schools

Air

There is no airport in Arita. The closest airports are Saga Airport and Nagasaki Airport.

Rail