Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Imari City

Written by: Chie Kaneko

Imari City is a fascinating place in southern Japan. A lot of people are aware of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hokkaido. I assume it’s because these are big cities, and many people associate Japan with these cities. My city, Imari, is not known by many people. However, Imari is a wonderful city, and you can have an enjoyable experience there.

First, Imari is most notable for ceramics. Imari ceramics began 400 years ago. It has a long history as a ceramic city. A lot of Imari ceramics were sent to European and Asian countries from the Imari River. Around Imari city, there is a lot of ceramic art, big pots, and ceramic tiles. You can walk around the city to see art. Likewise, Okawachiyama village is a gathering of ceramic shops. You can go shopping and make your own pottery and paint it as well.

Next, Imari is surrounded by mountains and the sea. Therefore, you can try nature activities in Imari. You can hike some mountains, and you can do marine activities. I used to go hiking and picnicking during the spring and autumn. Also, I used to SUP, jet-ski, swim, and hang out on the beach in the summer. My favorite and most recommended thing is spending time at Imari Beach at sunset. Even the famous Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa was impressed by the sunset at Imari Beach.

Finally, Imari has various types of delicious food. When I go traveling, I usually check what kind of food is famous there. Imari has tons of delicious food. There is an amazing environment to grow animals, vegetables, and fruits. The most special foods in Imari are pears, grapes, strawberries, cucumbers, and paprika. If you make a reservation, you can u-pick as well. Also, you must try Imari beef, because Imari beef is famous in Japan. Imari beef’s taste is mild and soft. Sometimes I miss this kind of meat here.

In conclusion, Imari has fascinating art, beautiful nature, and delicious food. Imari is a good destination to visit.