Tōzan Shrine (Sueyama Shrine) — Attraction in Arita

Arita (and nearby Imari) in Saga prefecture are said to be the first place in Japan where porcelain was produced about 400 years ago after kaolin - the mineral essential to making porcelain - had been found at a local mountain and craftsmen with the necessary skills had been brought from Korea into the country. This shrine was built in the mid 1600s and is dedicated to one of the most influential of the Korean potters who introduced porcelain making to Arita. The shrine is unique for having both a torii gate and statues of komainu guardian dogs made out of porcelain. They have gorgeous Goshuin...

This is a very unique shrine. Due to the number of foreign guests who come for the pottery, signs are in many languages, so it was easier to appreciate the history of the shrine. The ema of the shrine were made of porcelain, which I found very cool. Much of the shrine has various Aritaware, so it makes for very striking photos against the fall foliage. It’s pretty easy to hike to the top from the base. It took about 10 minutes with stops for photos and appreciation of the sights. I strongly recommend visiting this shrine when visiting Arita and...

Sueyama Shrine's standout feature is the porcelain-crafted torii and guardian lion-dog statues (komainu), which are unique in Japan and symbolize Arita's artistic legacy. Perched on a hillside, the shrine offers sweeping views of Arita, with a tranquil atmosphere enhanced by seasonal cherry blossoms.

If you are a collector of goshuin, you weren't be disappointed! They include beautifully hand-painted torii as part of...