Japan Pottery Tour: Hands-On Workshops & Artisan Encounters
Dates16 Feb - 26 Feb 2026
From¥694,000~
An immersive 11-day journey through Japan's renowned pottery villages: Mashiko, Bizen, Tamba, Hagi and Arita, with expert ceramicist Emily Mallard.
This 11-day tour is gracefully designed for enthusiast potters in search of inspiration in the beautiful ceramic art scene of Japan.
On this journey we’ll stop by authentic destinations representing nowadays the most significant Japanese pottery heritage.
This is the best opportunity not only to admire a wide range of ceramics in art galleries and museums, but also to attend exclusive workshops, create your own Japanese ceramic compositions and learn from the locals many of the secrets revolving around regional ceramic styles with a half- millennium long history behind.
On top of that, you will be visiting enchanting historical towns well-preserved still today such as Okawachiyama, Hagi historical downtown and many more, while experiencing cultural traditions such as tea ceremonies and kaiseki japanese-style cuisine along this memorable artistic journey.
Highlights on the tour
Meet with local Japanese potters at their private studios, attend exclusive classes about various regional pottery styles and challenge yourself in various hands-on experiences by creating your own unique Japanese ceramic compositions.
Travel along the expert guidance of Emily Mallard and our local guides and expand your practical and theoretical knowledge in a tour exclusively tailored for pottery and Japanese art enthusiast.
Travel off the beaten path and immerse yourself in the regional ceramic art scenes that Japan has to offer! Art galleries, kilns, gardens and scenic townscapes in Arita, Hagi, Mashiko, Bizen, Tamba, Ako are waiting to be discovered.
Enjoy authentic hotel experience in Japanese-style traditional hot spring hotel or picturesque views of the Pacific Sea from your room. Attend exclusive tea ceremony experiences and savour local delicacies served with beautiful regional ceramic ware.
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Reach Tokyo Narita airport where our local guides, who will be with you for the entirety of the tour, will meet you up and guide you to your accommodation for the night: ANA Crown Plaza Narita Check-in and enjoy your free time in your first night in Japan.
Included accommodations
Ana Crowne Plaza Narita
4-star hotel located near Narita International Airport.
Day 2: Journey to Mashiko's Artistic Heart
Your adventure begins with a comfortable transfer from your accommodation to Mashiko, a town in Tochigi prefecture renowned for its distinctive pottery. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the world of ceramics with visits to the Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Sankokan Museum, a tribute to the legendary potter Shoji Hamada, showcasing his works and collection in his former home and studio. You'll gain an appreciation for Mashiko ware, typically a type of earthy stoneware, characterized by its practical beauty and featuring iron glazes like kaki (persimmon) and nuka (rice husks), fired at temperatures around 1200−1300°C. Continue to the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art in Togei Messe, where you can explore diverse ceramic exhibitions. Your day ends at the Fairfield Marriott Motegi, your place for two nights, offering a restful retreat amidst the Japanese rural's landscape beauty.
Included accommodations
Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Motegi
Contemporary hotel in Tochigi Prefecture with simple, sophisticated rooms located close by Motegi Circuit.
Day 3: Hands-On Mashiko Pottery Experience
The second day in Mashiko is dedicated to the art of Mashiko pottery. After breakfast, engage in a hands-on pottery workshop on which you'll practice wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques with a local master and create your own fantastic Mashiko ware pieces. In the afternoon, enjoy a charming Pottery Town Walking Experience guided by our local expert guide along Jonaizaka Street, observing local studios and shops. Discover the history of the craft with a visit to the Old Kiln Iwashita, and witness a fascinating demonstration at Daiseigama, a leading pottery studio established in 1861, known for its large climbing kiln and traditional Mashiko ware production, emphasizing the use of local clay and glazes. Conclude your artistic explorations with an opportunity for pottery supply shopping at Kumiai, before heading back to Fairfield Marriott Motegi for evening
Included attractions
Mashiko Pottery Workshop
Engage in a hands-on pottery workshop and practice wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques with a local master.
Included accommodations
Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Motegi
Contemporary hotel in Tochigi Prefecture with simple, sophisticated rooms located close by Motegi Circuit.
Day 4:Transfer to the beautiful coastal city of Ako
Bid farewell to Mashiko as you transfer to Tokyo station, then embark on a scenic Shinkansen journey to Shin-Kobe. Upon arrival, a dedicated bus will transport you to the Kamenoi Hotel Ako, your comfortable accommodation for the next three nights. This inviting hotel offers a serene setting with sea views, often featuring Japanese-style rooms and the rejuvenating experience of onsen (hot spring) baths, perfect for unwinding after your long trip. Situated in the charming coastal city of Ako in Hyogo Prefecture, you'll find yourself amidst an area rich in history and natural beauty.
Included accommodations
Kamenoi Hotel Ako
Located in a superb location in the Setonaikai National Park, this hotel offers seasonal cuisine, hot springs and sea-views.
Day 5: Tamba Sasayama's Traditional Crafts
We begins this day with a visit to the charming Momoi Museum where it is displayed the unique Ako-Unkayaki ware. This regional ware is peculiar because it uses no glaze; instead, flames and smoke during its specialized firing process bring out natural hues of black, vermilion, and ivory. This creates stunning gradations that resemble the evening skies of Ako, giving each piece its own unique character. The term "Unkayaki" (literally "cloud mist pottery") refers to the nuanced, cloud-like patterns that can appear on its surface, creating an ethereal beauty unlike other regional wares. At the end of the visit, assist an enchanting tea ceremony from the local master, offering a glimpse into traditional Japanese aesthetics and the art of tea. Afterward, transfer to Tamba for a delightful lunch featuring local ceramics. You'll delve into Tamba ware (Tamba-yaki), one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, known for its unglazed, rustic stoneware with natural ash glazes formed during long firings in climbing kilns. The characteristic reddish-brown clay peeks through transparent or rich natural ash glazes. The afternoon is dedicated to a hands-on Tamba Sasayama pottery experience, allowing you to engage directly with this historic craft. You will return to Kamenoi Hotel Ako for the evening.
Included attractions
Momoi Museum Ako
Learn about Ako-Unkayaki ware and experience an enchanting tea ceremony from the local pottery master.
Tamba ware local workshop
Partake in a guided tour and hands-on experience of Tamba Sasayama pottery with a local master.
Included accommodations
Kamenoi Hotel Ako
Located in a superb location in the Setonaikai National Park, this hotel offers seasonal cuisine, hot springs and sea-views.
Day 6: Discover Bizen's Pottery
Today we travel to Bizen, home to one of Japan's oldest and most distinctive pottery styles. The program for today will include a full-day lecture and workshops on spiral techniques with Kazuya Ishida, a renowned Bizen ceramic artist known for his unique spiral marked vessels. Bizen ware is celebrated for its unglazed, natural beauty. Made from iron-rich clay, pieces are fired at high temperatures (around 1200−1300°C. ) for extended periods (up to two weeks) in wood-fired climbing kilns. Return to Kamenoi Hotel Ako for a relaxing last evening at this hotel.
Included attractions
Bizen's Kazuya Ishida Studio and Workshop
1-day session with Kazuya Ishida, a famous Bizen ceramic artist known for his unique spiral marked vessels.
Included accommodations
Kamenoi Hotel Ako
Located in a superb location in the Setonaikai National Park, this hotel offers seasonal cuisine, hot springs and sea-views.
Day 7: Cultural Immersion in Hagi, Yamaguchi
Today, we leave our accommodation to travel to the historic city of Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Upon arrival and check-in at Hagi Honjin, a traditional Japanese-style ryokan for two nights, explore Hagi's rich heritage. Our first stop will be the Ceramics Gallery at Hagi Uragami Museum, which houses extensive collections of ukiyo-e prints and oriental ceramics, including the celebrated Hagi ware. Hagi ware is a type of soft, porous stoneware, typically fired at moderate temperatures (around 1180−1250 °C). Its distinctive character comes from a unique, slightly rough clay body and often a translucent, milky white or pale ash glaze, which develops subtle crackles and changes color over time with use, a phenomenon highly prized by tea ceremony practitioners for its "tea stain" effect. Later, wander through the picturesque castle town, focusing on its charming local shops, and visit the historical Hagi Castle Ruins and the tranquil Shizukiyama Shrine, dedicated to the former reigning samurai family of Mori.
Included accommodations
Hagi Honjin
Japanese-style hotel (ryokan) in Hagi, known for its hot spring baths, tranquil atmosphere, and scenic views.
Day 8: Hagi's Artistic Traditions
Begin your day with a delightful Japanese breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a hands-on pottery experience to learn about Hagi ware and its regional style. Here, you'll participate in different workshops experiences including a painting experience, decorating a plate with traditional Bengara color, an iron oxide pigment which famously transforms to a deep black after firing. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in Japanese culture with a special Kimono wearing and Tea Matcha ceremony experience at Kikuya Residence. This residence is an exquisite example of a wealthy merchant's home from the Edo period, designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Dating back to the 17th century, it showcases traditional architecture with its distinctive white walls and namako kabe (sea cucumber walls). It once served as an official accommodation for shogunate officials and entertained important guests, reflecting its historical significance. The residence also features attractive Japanese gardens and exhibits artifacts from the Kikuya family's vast collection. Here, you will experience the profound art of tea ceremony in a serene setting. You will enjoy another comfortable night at Hagi Honjin.
Included attractions
Hagi Pottery Workshop
Lecture and workshops at local kiln with a local master, renowned for its high-quality Hagi ware.
Tea Ceremony and Kimono Experience at Kikuya Residence
Special Kimono dress-on and Tea Matcha ceremony experience at 400 years-old Kikuya Residence.
Included accommodations
Hagi Honjin
Japanese-style hotel (ryokan) in Hagi, known for its hot spring baths, tranquil atmosphere, and scenic views.
Day 9: Inside the world of Kyushu's ceramics
Depart Hagi for Imari, a historic port city renowned for its exquisite porcelain. Upon arrival, head to Okawachiyama, known as the "Village of Secret Kilns." Here, you'll wander through the enchanting streets, admire brick chimneys, explore numerous kilns and shops with our local expert guide. Imari ware is a vibrantly colored porcelain. It is bisque fired at a low temperature, then coated with a colorful glaze of red iron, blue, green, gold, etc., and fired at a high temperature (approximately 1300°C). After that, it is painted over and then fired again at a low temperature (800-900°C). Conclude your day at Central Hotel Imari, a convenient hotel located at the city center.
Included accommodations
Central Hotel Imari
3-stars hotel located in front of Imari Station with easy access to the Imari Hot Springs and Okawachiyama.
Day 10: Arita's Porcelain Legacy
Today, delve into the heart of Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Begin your exploration with a visit to Kakiemon, the famed kiln producing exquisite, elegantly designed porcelain. The delicate, asymmetrical, and spacious designs depicting birds, flowers, trees, etc. are known as the Kakiemon style, and had a major influence on religious paintings and Western paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries, where symmetry was the norm, as well as on Impressionism. Afterward, visit Gallery Arita, a unique restaurant surrounded by 2,000 coffee cups, where you can enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy immersive hands-on experiences where you'll get creative with a pottery wheel experience and try your hand at underglaze/overglaze painting. Arita ware is famous for its broad category of Japanese porcelain distinguished by its fine white clay body, fired at very high temperatures, and often adorned with intricate underglaze blue and/or vibrant overglaze enamel decorations. Here, you'll enjoy local factory tours with our local expert and conclude your day with a visit to China on The Park, operated by Fukagawa Porcelain, where you can further admire and purchase beautiful souvenirs of your memorable trip. Return to the Central Hotel Imari for evening.
Included attractions
Arita Pottery Workshops
Pottery wheel and underglaze/overglaze painting experience at two famous local kilns in Arita.
Included accommodations
Central Hotel Imari
3-stars hotel located in front of Imari Station with easy access to the Imari Hot Springs and Okawachiyama.
Day 11: Departure from Fukuoka
Your immersive pottery journey concludes today. After breakfast, a bus transfer will take you to Fukuoka Airport for your onward departure, leaving you with cherished memories and perhaps a unique ceramic piece or two from your exploration of Japan's artistic heartland. This marks the end of your main tour, unless you would like to book an extension tour with us through other wonderful destinations in Japan!
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