Gallery Arita – Choose Your Cup from Hundreds: A Stylish Pottery Cafe in Saga

Recently, when I returned to my parents’ home in Nagasaki, my brother and his wife, who were also visiting, wanted to go see pottery in the Arita-Hasami area.
This region, located on the border between Saga and Nagasaki prefectures, is one of Japan’s premier pottery clusters, featuring Arita-yaki, Imari-yaki (Saga), and Hasami-yaki (Nagasaki).

To be honest, when it comes to pottery, there’s an image that it mainly targets middle-aged and older customers.
But that’s not actually the case.
There are many products and shops that appeal to younger demographics too, including ceramics incorporating Nordic design, stylish shops, and cafes.

“Gallery Arita,” which I happened to discover while googling for lunch options, is one such establishment.
With Arita-yaki coffee cups covering an entire wall, a modern and stylish interior, a cafe restaurant serving local ingredients in Arita-yaki dishes, and a rich variety of souvenirs.
Even people who think “Pottery? I don’t really get it” will surely get excited when they visit—it’s a shop that people of all ages can enjoy and I highly recommend!

“Gallery Arita” – A Stylish Cafe Restaurant and Shop Combined

Gallery Arita is located about a 10-minute walk from Arita Station, along National Route 35. It’s a bit over an hour by car from Nagasaki City and about an hour and a half from Fukuoka.
A large pottery jar or vase serves as the landmark.

Of course, there’s parking available.
Wait, what’s that car with the innovative design parked in front of the shop…?

Wow, so cool! A Mini Cooper incorporating plenty of Japanese aesthetic elements.

Decorated with pottery patterns, it’s probably custom-made. How interesting.

Both outside the shop and the interior visible through the windows are filled with pottery.

Upon entering, the cafe restaurant is on the left and the shop on the right. The display methods are elaborate and enjoyable.

The shop stocks plenty of pottery from affordable pieces to luxury items.

Since lunch was our purpose that day, we entered the cafe restaurant.

Enjoying Lunch Surrounded by Arita-yaki Cups

This Japanese-modern space surrounded by Arita-yaki coffee cups covering the entire wall is absolutely fantastic.

The staff waiting area looks like a bar counter.
They don’t seem to do this now, but it would be great if they served beer and sake in Arita-yaki vessels at night. Though it might be difficult since many people come by car?

Even the water is served in nice pottery. Children get cute cups (back right).

They offer a rich menu of lunch items, cakes, drinks, and desserts.

I ordered the “Imari Beef Curry (1,200 yen).” Each dish is served in elaborate pottery, which is fantastic! The taste was, well, normally delicious curry. (laughs)

This is what my brother ordered: “Arita-yaki Five Course Set (1,300 yen, with dessert and drink).” It’s a menu featuring Arita’s brand chicken, Aritadori, prepared in five different cooking methods.
The dishes are wonderful too.

It was apparently very delicious. My niece was munching on the fried chicken.

Choose Your Favorite from the Wall of Coffee Cups

When you order hot coffee or tea as your drink, you’re given a token like this. You place this token in your favorite coffee cup and bring it to the counter, and they’ll serve your drink in that vessel.

You can choose from all these cups covering the entire wall? Really? That’s way too difficult to decide…

I focused on the black section next to the counter that looked somewhat premium. I chose from here.

How is it? Stylish yet not too flashy, with a nice subdued elegance. I liked it.

My sister-in-law and niece chose a fresh, summery sunflower pattern. This is nice too.
My 5-year-old niece proudly said, “I chose this one!” What kid gets excited about pottery at age 5?

My brother chose this cup with a black background and, for some reason, golden Sakamoto Ryoma printed on it. His aesthetic sense is quite unique.

Afterword

“Gallery Arita” is recommended not only for pottery enthusiasts but also for people who just want to visit a stylish cafe or restaurant.
Searching for your favorite from the hundreds of coffee cups covering the entire wall is an experience that people from children to adults can enjoy!