## The Birthplace of Japanese Porcelain For art and ceramics lovers, Saga Prefecture is a holy grail. Located just an hour west of Fukuoka, Saga is home to three of Japan’s most prestigious pottery towns. Having a campervan allows you to safely transport your fragile purchases without wrestling them onto crowded trains. ## 1. Arita: The Porcelain Capital Arita is where porcelain was first created in Japan over 400 years ago. - **Must See:** The Kyushu Ceramic Museum and the Tozan Shrine (featuring a Torii gate made entirely of porcelain). - **Shopping:** Wander the traditional streets lined with historic kilns selling everything from cheap outlet pieces to museum-quality art. ## 2. Imari: The Export Legend A short drive from Arita lies Imari, specifically the secret mountain village of Okawachiyama. - **The Vibe:** Known as the "Village of the Secret Kilns," this isolated mountain town was historically guarded to protect porcelain secrets. It is incredibly atmospheric and perfect for photography. ## 3. Karatsu: Earthy and Wabi-Sabi Head north to the coast to visit Karatsu. Unlike the delicate, colorful porcelain of Arita, Karatsu-yaki is earthy, rustic stoneware highly prized for Japanese tea ceremonies. - **Campervan Bonus:** Karatsu features beautiful pine forest coastlines (Niji-no-Matsubara) where you can park and enjoy a beachside lunch.