Pop Japan

Pottery is one of the oldest art in Japan. During the Jomon Era, about 10,000 years ago, the earliest civilization recorded, the people already have pottery-making skills aside from hunting and fishing for survival.

Fast forward to Kofun Era (3rd century), pottery has been an important part in funeral rituals. The hollow clay structure is burried with the dead to guard it.

Now, pottery has been considered as an art of sophistication. Some piece of crafts become too ritzy, especially if the ceramist or potter has established its name in pottery making.

So if you wish to be one of the well-known potter, you must try exploring the Japanese-style pottery on these places that will promise to give you a hands-on experience!

1. Miyama Touyukan

You can create Satsuma-yaki, a porcelain from Kagoshima, in Miyama Touyukan. It has two different variations: Shirosatsuma, the white porcelain intricated with beautiful designs; and Kurosatsuma, a black porcelain made for daily use. Visitors can purchase these crafts, and also join their pottery workshops. With just 1510 to 2050 yen, you can make your own piece of art!

Address: 1051 Higashi-ichikicho Miyama, Hioki-shi, Kagoshima

2. Homura

Do you love sake and tea as much as you love pottery? You can also unlock the secrets of the sake cup (karatsu-yaki) producers by “tehineri” classes. Karatsu-yaki originated from Saga and Nagasaki prefectures that is often used for tea ceremonies or drinking sake. You can experience making sake cup without tools with 2000 yen.

Address: 1689 Konyamachi, Karatsu-shi, Saga

3. Shinkama

If you want to know why Aritayaki and Imariyaki is the most exported kind of pots in Japan, you must go to Shinkama. Imariyaki is the general term for pottery that comes from Saga and Nagasaki. The pots are usually designed with red or blue. You can learn how to make one staring at 5000 yen.

Address: 2788 Hei Kuromuta, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga

4. Hagiyaki Kaikan

Expand your ceramic exploration in Hagi, Yamaguchi by making Hagiyaki on the most known kiln in there. Hagiyaki are basically used for matcha (tea ceremony). The most remarkable feature of this pot is its small cracks used to add texture. You can experience making it without tools for 1200 yen, and with pottery wheel, for 4000 yen.

Address: 3155 Higashi-ku, Shinkawa, Hagi-shi, Yamaguchi-ken

5. Echizen Togeimura

Echizen-yaki is one of the oldest type of pottery, its origin dates back 1000 years in Fukui. It is mostly used for tea ceremony, and as a common tableware. Echizen Togeimura offers pottery making from clay for 3000 yen. There is also a course where you can experience the whole process, from molding the piece, firing, and glazing for 10000 yen.

Address: 6-12 Ozowara, Echizen-cho, Nyu-gun, Fukui

6. Kutani Kousen Kama


Kutani Kousen Kama lets you experience pottery painting starting at 1300 yen, specifically on Kutaniyaki, a type of pottery that is designed with artistic overglaze drawings and originated in Ishikawa Prefecture. Its price usually depends on the size of the piece you will paint.

Address: 5-3-3 Nomachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa

7. Banko no Sato Kaikan

Know how the most famous purple clay teapot of Mie Prefecture is made! Banko no Sato Kaikan also teaches how to create tableware like coffee cups. Experience hands-on pottery making for three hours for 2500 yen. Workshops will mostly take a month until you finish your piece.

Address: 4-8 Toeicho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie

8. Yakimono Kyoushitsu Mori no Tsuchi


Yakimono Kyoshitsu Mori no Tsuchi could be one of the convenient kiln if you want to learn pottery for a long time. Here, the professional potters, who had exhibitions of their works, will guide and teach you on how to make Minoyaki. A 2-hour course costs 1000 yen, not to include the clay to be used (1 gram is 50 yen). You can also stay there at night, which costs 10000 yen. There is a traditional home nearby, so you can stay there as long as you master the art.

Address: 9-67 Takirocho, Tajimi-shi, Gifu

9. Kitagama Kasen

Kitagama Kasen is one of the most known kilns in Seto, where you can learn how to create the traditional craft of Aichi, the Akazuyaki. Here, you can experience the oldest form of pottery using wheels for 2500 yen.

Address: 71 Akazucho, Seto-shi, Aichi

10. Inbe, Bizen


Aside from knowing the artistic value and history of Bizenyaki, an unglazed type of pottery from Okayama, from hours of touring in Inbe Station, you can also learn how to make it in Bizen Pottery Art Museum on the wheel. Bizenyaki is one of the oldest form of pottery, which color and texture is only formed by fire and several pottery techniques.

Address: 〒705-0001 Okayama-ken, Bizen-shi, Inbe, Japan

Whether you are a pro-ceramist or a beginner, pottery making is one activity you must experience to stir your creativity. Every turn of the wheel with the careful touch of your hands, you will surely wash away your stress!