The 22nd Arita Autumn Ceramics Festival (第22回 秋の有田陶磁器まつり) runs from November 19 to 23, 2026, with venues spread across Arita Town. Alongside ceramics, the festival brings together autumn menus, hands-on activities and walks through streets lined with historic buildings.
For planning, the key distinction is between the festival’s general hours and individual shop hours: the event is listed for 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., while each shop follows its own opening schedule.
Check the official festival page before your visit.
Dates and location
The festival takes place at multiple locations around town. Choose the shops and activities you want to visit, then check their individual hours rather than treating the event as a single venue.
| Event | 22nd Arita Autumn Ceramics Festival |
|---|---|
| Dates | November 19–23, 2026 Thursday through Monday; November 23 is a public holiday |
| General hours | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Individual shop hours apply |
| Location | Various venues across Arita Town |
| Address | Arita Town, Nishimatsuura District, Japan |
Ceramics, town walks and autumn food
This is a chance to combine ceramics browsing with a walk through Arita’s historic streets and autumn scenery. The programme includes kimono strolls, guided town walks and hands-on activities, giving visitors several ways to explore beyond shopping.
Build your route around what interests you most: time in the shops, a guided walk or an activity. Check the official festival information for activity details when deciding what to include.
Leave room for a seasonal meal
Dining spots will offer autumn limited-time menus. The official food image features dishes and desserts for November 19–23, so a meal stop can be part of the visit alongside the ceramics and town walks.
Getting there and parking
The following access estimates are for the Uchiyama area. Since the festival covers several locations, use the particular venue you plan to visit as your destination.
| By train and on foot | About 35 minutes on foot from JR Arita Station to the Uchiyama area |
|---|---|
| By car | About 10 minutes from Hasami-Arita Interchange on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway to the Uchiyama area |
Parking locations
Parking is distributed across several sites. The listed locations include the following; the weekend-only restriction applies to the two sites marked below.
| Parking location | Listed spaces and restrictions |
|---|---|
| Jishakuba | 50 spaces |
| Rokuroza | 200 spaces |
| Arita Elementary School | 300 spaces |
| Hiraki Ballpark | 300 spaces; Saturdays and Sundays only |
| Saga Bank, Arita Branch | 50 spaces; Saturdays and Sundays only |
| Honmachi | 80 spaces |
| Arita Sera | 800 spaces |
| Arita Porcelain Park | 2,000 spaces |
Planning other trips in Japan
For a separate trip, our Miyazaki Wari guide covers a travel offer in Miyazaki. If you are planning New Year rail travel, see the EX Hayatoku sale guide. For a different cultural outing, read about the Nintendo Museum Zelda light-up in Uji.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Arita Autumn Ceramics Festival?
- The 22nd edition runs from November 19 to 23, 2026.
- What are the festival hours?
- The general hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Individual shops follow their own opening schedules.
- Where does it take place?
- The festival takes place at various venues across Arita Town, Nishimatsuura District, Japan.
- What can visitors do besides browse ceramics?
- The programme includes kimono strolls, guided town walks, hands-on activities and autumn limited-time menus.
- How far is the Uchiyama area from JR Arita Station?
- The Uchiyama area is about 35 minutes on foot from JR Arita Station.
- Which interchange serves the Uchiyama area?
- The Uchiyama area is about 10 minutes by car from Hasami-Arita Interchange on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway.
- Which listed parking sites are weekend-only?
- Hiraki Ballpark and Saga Bank’s Arita Branch are listed for Saturdays and Sundays only.
- Where can I check shuttle bus details?
- Check the official festival page for shuttle routes and departure times before planning a connection.
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