Arita Porcelain Park

Arita Porcelain Park is a “sake and vessel” theme park that recreates the German Zwinger Palace in the home of Arita-yaki, which has fascinated European royalty and aristocracy since the 17th century and has greatly influenced the world of ceramics. This facility mainly introduces Arita-yaki porcelain, and visitors can experience underglaze painting, hand-painting, and potter’s wheel making at the studio, in addition to exhibits in the Arita-yaki gallery.

The symbolic building of the Porcelain Park, “Zwinger Palace,” recreates the splendor of early 18th century German Baroque architecture. The palace’s faithful reproduction is a beauty to behold.

The Palace Art Gallery displays numerous works from the Edo period to the height of the Meiji period, including early Imari, Ko-Imari, Kakiemon, and Nabeshima Clan kiln styles. In particular, the large vase (182 cm) that was actually displayed at the Vienna World Exposition in the 1870s is not to be missed.

Visitors can also try their hand at pottery making at the adjacent Arita-yaki pottery studio, where they can actually try their hand at painting, hand-bi neri, rokuro (potter’s wheel), and other pottery-making techniques. Visitors can enjoy the creative fun of trying their hand at pottery making for themselves.

In addition, a sake brewery also operates the workshop, and there is a corner where visitors can taste and sample sake, shochu, and limited-edition sake only available at the brewery, as well as a wide variety of sake and souvenirs, such as “Nonnoko” barley shochu from the Munemasa Shuzo brewery. There is also a buffet-style dining area.

Passing through the central entrance of Zwinger Palace, visitors will find a beautiful baroque garden. Vivid seasonal flowers add color and soothe the soul. This garden recreates the prestigious atmosphere of ancient European gardens and offers a relaxing and tranquil setting in which to spend a relaxing time.