Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 5-Day Arita & Karatsu Customizable Tour
Visit Arita, the first porcelain town in Japan, paint your own piece, walk the kiln village of Okawachiyama, and see Karatsu Castle.
Private · your group only◆5 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Arita in Saga is where porcelain was first made in Japan, more than 400 years ago. The town still has many kilns and shops along its main street.
You start at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum, which shows the story of Arita and Imari porcelain. Then you visit Arita Porcelain Park and take a porcelain painting workshop, where you paint your own plate or cup with blue cobalt. It is fired and sent to your home later.
Next is Okawachiyama, a small village in the hills where potters once made fine porcelain for the lords. It was hidden in the mountains to keep the method secret. Today you walk its stone lanes, past chimneys and small galleries.
On another day you drive to Karatsu by the sea. Karatsu pottery has a simple, earthy style loved for tea. You visit Karatsu Castle on the hill, with views over the bay and the pine forest.
This tour is for people who love ceramics, crafts and quiet old towns.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the porcelain painting workshop is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit a working Arita kiln where you watch potters at the wheel.
DAY 1 Pickup at your Tokyo hotel and drive west to Okayama (about 8 to 9 hours with breaks).
DAY 2 Drive to Saga. Afternoon at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum in Arita.
DAY 3 Arita Porcelain Park with painting workshop, then Okawachiyama kiln village.
DAY 4 Karatsu Castle and Karatsu pottery shops, then drive to Okayama.
DAY 5 Drive back to your Tokyo hotel (about 8 to 9 hours with breaks).
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Paint your own Arita porcelain plate or cup
- Walk the hidden kiln village of Okawachiyama
- Learn 400 years of porcelain at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum
- Climb Karatsu Castle above the sea
- Browse earthy Karatsu pottery for tea
Said plainly
Your painted piece needs to be fired. It is sent to an address in Japan after the tour, usually in about one to two months. If the porcelain painting workshop is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit a working Arita kiln where you watch potters at the wheel. This tour has long driving days. The van has comfortable seats and we stop every 2 hours or so for rest areas, food and toilets.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Paint your own Arita porcelain plate or cup
Walk the hidden kiln village of Okawachiyama
Learn 400 years of porcelain at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum
Climb Karatsu Castle above the sea
Browse earthy Karatsu pottery for tea
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Porcelain painting workshop at Arita Porcelain Park
- Kyushu Ceramic Museum entry
- Karatsu Castle entry
- Shipping of your painted piece within Japan
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Okayama and Arita or Karatsu)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional overseas shipping of your painted piece
- Optional pottery purchases
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
Plan a custom journeyYour private Japan day
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From¥400,000
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