Imari, Saga / 秘窯の里 大川内山
Okawachiyama (Village of Secret Kilns)
A "village of secret kilns" where pottery culture lives on in scenery like an ink landscape painting. In the Edo period it was the official kiln of the Nabeshima family of the Saga domain, making "Nabeshima" porcelain of the highest quality, kept secret and made regardless of cost; about 30 kilns still carry on the traditional methods. The Nabeshima Domain Kiln Park recreates the checkpoint that guarded the secrets and climbing-kiln sites, and the sound of 14 Imari-ware wind chimes on the "Meotoshi Tower" is one of Japan's 100 best soundscapes.
Last official check
26 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
25 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Train / Bus / Car
- Admission
- Paid (see the price below)
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
9:00-17:00.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Closed
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Admission
Pottery experiences: ask each facility (about 1,000-5,000 yen).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Getting there
15 minutes by car from Imari Station (bus available); 30 minutes by car from Takeo-Kitagata IC on the Nagasaki Expressway.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
About 400 spaces, free (cars 500 yen and large vehicles 1,000 yen only during events).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Slopes, wheelchair-accessible toilet, written communication (there are steps).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Imari, Saga (Japanese address: 佐賀県伊万里市大川内町乙1806)
Official site: https://www.asobo-saga.jp/spots/detail/6f1d92bf-01fe-44ed-aaf9-59a1c55b40d7
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetArita SeraSaga5 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetArita Porcelain ParkSaga8 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetTakeo Onsen Romon GateSaga12 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetTakeo Shrine and the Great Camphor TreeSaga13 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetMifuneyama RakuenSaga13 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Kiln market in Golden Week (April 29-May 5), wind-chime festival in summer (mid-June to August 31), Nabeshima domain kiln autumn festival (November 1-5).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps
Verification log
- 26 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.asobo-saga.jp/spots/detail/6f1d92bf-01fe-44ed-aaf9-59a1c55b40d7Hours, fees, access, parking, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.