Imari Okawachiyama
大川内山
The mountain valley of the Nabeshima domain kilns, still full of potteries.
Opening hours and admission for this place have not been checked yet, so none are shown. Check the official site
Our guide
Ōkawachiyama, in the south of Imari, Saga, is where the Saga (Nabeshima) domain moved its official kiln from Arita in 1675. The domain kept it under strict control so that its techniques would not leak out, and it made the finest porcelain — now called Nabeshima ware — for the lord's own use and as gifts to the shogun, the imperial court and other daimyō.
The domain kiln ended with the abolition of the domains in 1871, but the Nabeshima tradition carried on in Imari ware, and many potteries work in Ōkawachiyama today. The site has been a National Historic Site since 2003, and in 1996 the sound of Imari's pottery-making was chosen as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan.
We have not checked a public-transport route or individual potteries, so look for local information before you go.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- Nabeshimayaki Okawachiyama Imari-shi Saga-ken PB110114 — Akiyoshi's Room · Public domain · source · resized
- Nabeshimayaki Okawachiyama Imari-shi Saga-ken PB110103 — Akiyoshi's Room · Public domain · source · resized
- Nabeshimayaki Okawachiyama Imari-shi Saga-ken PB110083 — Akiyoshi's Room · Public domain · source · resized
- Nabeshimayaki Okawachiyama Imari-shi Saga-ken PB110081 — Akiyoshi's Room · Public domain · source · resized
- Nabeshimayaki Okawachiyama Imari-shi Saga-ken PB110100 — Akiyoshi's Room · Public domain · source · resized
- Nabeshimayaki Okawachiyama Imari-shi Saga-ken PB110085 — Akiyoshi's Room · Public domain · source · resized
What this place is
Ōkawachiyama (大川内山), in the south of the city of Imari, Saga Prefecture, is where the Saga (Nabeshima) domain moved its official kiln from Arita in 1675, keeping it under strict control so that its techniques would not leak out. The kiln made the finest porcelain, now called Nabeshima ware, for the lord's own use and as gifts to the shogun, the imperial court and other daimyo. The domain kiln ended with the abolition of the domains in 1871, but the Nabeshima tradition was carried on in Imari ware, and many potteries work in Ōkawachiyama today. The area has been a National Historic Site, the Ōkawachi Nabeshima kiln site, since 2003, and in 1996 the sound of Imari's pottery-making was chosen as one of Japan's 100 Soundscapes.
Background text translated from Japanese Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Mountain
Getting there
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