A chimney of creativity in the neighborhood (Photo: Mutsumi Ishii)

A (Very) Rustic Ceramics Factory

Another unexpected countryside delight

Tristan Scholze   - 1분 읽은 시간

The town of Arita is synonymous with pottery. My first visit was during the annual Golden Week ceramics festival, but I couldn’t find it and drove around the town feeling a bit disappointed. On one narrow lane, however, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a few crates on the roadside with the magic word, “Free!”

Behind this offer of myriad-shaped teacups and dishes appeared a nearly abandoned ceramics factory, soon to close, but open for exploration. Spanning a small river, the left bank housed the shop, showroom, workshop, kiln, one welcoming old man, and one friendly old hound. On the right bank, a smaller studio was already being reclaimed by time and nature. Walking the grounds and workshop my mind blended the scene from my eyes and my imaginative vision of years past when energy from living artists thrived here.

Tristan Scholze

Tristan Scholze @tristan.scholze

I'm also known as Faer Out. I love learning about people and nature. I've traveled around the world and throughout Japan, and I hope to continue seeing and experiencing the wonder of this planet as long as I live.Based in Japan for nearly two decades, I'm a Japan Travel expert for Fukuoka and Sag...