For four centuries, the mountain town of Arita has produced fine porcelain; in fact, it was here that porcelain was first produced in Japan after kaolin (the mineral essential to making porcelain) had been discovered in a nearby quarry. The charming streets of this quaint mountain town are lined with old and charming houses dating back to the 1930s. The houses are decorated with fences made of used bricks and old-fashioned pottery. One of the more fascinating sites in Arita is Porcelain Park. Here  you can buy pottery for everyday use. For a look at Japanese porcelain history, you'll visit the Kyushu Ceramic Museum. Founded in 1980, the museum features ceramics from all regions in Kyushu, pieces from Europe and showcases the art work of modern day artisans.