Okawachiyama (Imari City, Saga Pref.)

Okawachiyama is home to over thirty pottery establishments that come together twice a year to hold a ceramics market in April and November.

These events are highly popular among throngs of pottery enthusiasts who descend to this area to purchase their favorite pottery items at bargain prices.

Visitors can also try their hand at authentic pottery-making activities irrespective of the time of year.

An event known as kenjo-no-gi takes place in Okawachiyama in November.

Potters to whom predecessors have handed down the ceramic art of Nabeshima and other participants don the formal attire of samurai warriors and recreate a solemn ceremony in which special pottery was presented to the Shogun and his clan in days of yore.

Every summer, wind-bells featuring original illustrations by potters are hung in the eaves around town.

Twenty-centimeter-wide wind-bells that are unique to Okawachiyama emit a highly transparent tone and help to sooth the souls of visitors.

This festival is held between June 20 and the end of August.