Here's what I found interesting about Karatsuyaki and local food!

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I'm hooked with Karatsuyaki（唐津焼).

When you buy ceramics it tends to end up just being an art piece because you are afraid of breaking it.

Worst case scenario is you put it back in a box and it's forgotten.

But these kitchen wares are originally meant to be used for a better dining experience. 

Karatsu Ware has a sustainable way to upcycle it by laquering it together like this.

So when it accidentally cracks, no need to cry but hey, congratulations. You're at the next phase of the whole Karatsuyaki journey.


In life the whole journey is the reward, my foodie friends.




A little bit about Karatsuyaki

You can ask AI to learn more about Karatsuyaki, but let me briefly explain what it is.

Karatsuyaki is a highly esteemed form of Japanese pottery traditionally produced in and around Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu. Currently it has about 70 potters within the city, and a total of 100 when potters outside Karatsu are included.

With a history spanning over 400 years, it's recognized as a traditional Japanese craft.

It used to be the top 3 wares that are from Kyoto, Hagi, and Karatsu. But then the more trendy Arita and Imari yaki became popular from the decorations and durability. 

But the cycle of trend is now coming towards Karatsuyaki from its wabi sabi simplicity and earthy kind of pottery.

Kintsugi or the lacquering mentioned earlier to stitch it back when it breaks, makes it more 

decorative and gives the ware its own story to live.

First thing unique from Karatsu: Karatsuyaki

When I looked for something distinct to Karatsu, what came up was Karatsu-yaki. 

Wares are difficult to find your best one. I haven't been able to narrow down which dish or cups to use for my house either.

I was hooked that there are cafes, restaurants, and bars in Karatsu that pairs their food and drinks with Karatsu ware.

In that way you can experience using them while you travel.

If you have the one you like, then you can go to places like Ichibankan or Alpino both right outside Karatsu Station.

You can even make visits to the potters scattered within Karatsu City. Today I want to introduce you to some of the places you can use to experience the Karatsu ware culture close to Karatsu Station.

Lunch Cafe and Sake Tasting: Karatsu Choko Bar



If you're interested in Karatsuyaki, you must schedule a visit to this cafe/bar.

Its run by Gallery Ichibankan, the biggest gallery of Karatsuyaki.

They serve food and beverages with their Karatsuyaki plates and cups, so you can actually experience using them before considering buying them.

Their signature menu is local sake pairing with Karatsuyaki, paired with one local tsumami appetizer. This time I chose ika shumai or squid dim sum with ponzu.


Yebisu draft beer inside a Karatsu cup and smoked local nuts in a Karatsu dish.

The nuts taste amazing, smoked by a local meat shop selling sausages.

What hooked me even more was one of their broken dishes.

It was lacqured together using a technique called kintsugi.


This adds another artwork to the dish, and lets you use the dish for a long time.

A kintsugi lacquering workshop is scheduled to be held every Monday here, and they are planning to have different concepts every day so be sure to stop by!

*Be careful they only open Friday, weekends, and public holidays.

Tea & Space Kikoan








Tea & Space Kikoan is a cute traditional resting spot just across the Maizuru Bridge below the Karatsu castle, where you can also 

It serves very authentic matcha zenzai which are shiratama (literally translates to white balls) made of flour, red beans, and ice cream with a pool of matcha, their signature. 

Summer is hot across Japan so they also serve "kakigori" or shaved ice with syrup, a traditional dessert eaten in Japan during the summer. 

Here is a video of a Karatsuyaki Potter visit


I found this video from the Tourism Board of Karatsu,

and here is a list of potters that comes up in the video.

They were all within 30 minutes drive and a few are walkable from Karatsu Station. It seems like bookings are necessary if you want a tour inside.
Karatsu has about 70 potters within the city, some very close to the city center/ Karatsu Station.

So next time I will update an English friendly potters to visit. Stay tuned!


Come see me in Choko Bar just in front of Karatsu Station

I work as a sake bartender at Choko Bar, a bar/cafe where you can try local sake and light meals with Karatsu dishes and cups.


I'm currently in charge of Thursdays, on Friday it will be someone who used to run a jaz kissaten cafe in Sapporo, and on weekends and public holidays a very nice and gourmet lady from Kitakyushu.

The owner wants me to make it a place for international travelers to know more about Karatsu, and I'll do my best to connect you with the local regulars that know a lot about this small but very interesting Bushido and foodie town!

Come join me on the journey at Karatsu. 

I moved into Karatsu on March, 2025 from the variety of fish it has.

But I want to try to work with the local businesses and the government to show you hints of the samurai town.

It has great traditional content that is interesting, but it's still hidden.

It will be my pleasure to show you the charms of the samurai city as an experience that we all can learn from to better our lives.

    Where to stay in Karatsu:

    松 Higher Class: Yoyokaku, Mizuno Ryokan
    Apartment style with kitchen: Hotel Nine States Karatsu

    Where to eat in Karatsu:

    What to do in Karatsu:

    Thanks for Reading! 

    Follow me on my journey discovering the best fish dishes of Japan. I will open a fish laboratory in my akiya abandoned house I'm going to live soon.

    I would love to connect with people interested in fishes, cooking, and Japanese food. Share me your interests, and let's hang out!

    This will be my long game, and I look forward to sharing what happens.

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