Experience the Ever-evolving Ceramic Techniques of Mino-yaki

Mino-yaki, a type of pottery in Gifu Prefecture, has a history that stretches over 1300 years. It is characterized by the development of new kinds of glazes that suit the times, as well as covering a wide variety of pottery with different shapes, styles and colors. Today, more than half of the ceramics produced in Japan are said to be Mino-yaki, making it a deeply ingrained presence in everyday life here. From traditional techniques to new glasses that change color depending on the temperature, come learn about the current state of Mino-yaki.

Date

Time

Schedule

Content

Day1

11:00-12:00

Mino Yaki Museum

  • Guided tour by curator

12:15-13:15

Lunch

  • Nidaime Naniwa

13:30-14:00

Ceramis Park MINO

14:20-17:00

Marumo Takagi Pottery

  • Tour of workshop, experience making original tableware, shopping

17:15

Check-in

  • Oniiwa Onsen Ryouzan

  • at Ryokan

Day2

10:00-10:15

Depart at hotel

  • 15 mins by car

10:15-12:15

Koubeigama

  • Along with stories relating ceramics, enjoy experiencing the potter's wheel, hand-build, Tatara, painting, masaic tiles under the guidance of the artisan.

Experience

Marumo Takagi Pottery

●Overview：Tour of workshop・making of original tableware ・Shopping ●Duration: 2.5h Marumo Takagi Pottery sells ceramics, glass, lacquerware, wood products, and tableware. Highly regarded for their expertise, they have been involved in creating vessels used for the imperial family’s enthronement ceremony. They make high-quality products, operating a 1200-degree inglaze painting kiln and an 800-degree firing overlay kiln. Marumo has produced unique items, such as the "Cold Sensation Series," in which the design of the glass changes when a cold drink is poured inside. In addition to shopping, you can also visit the workshop and make your own tableware.

See detail

Kochi

●Overview: Participants will have an oppertunity to try their hands at pottery making, including rokuro (potter's wheel), tebineri (hand-building), tatara (clay furnace) , painting, and mosaic tiles with the guidance of an artisan. ●Duration: 2 hours Koubeigama was established in 1804 as the official kiln for the Edo Castle, using a wide range of techniques to make celadon porcelain, dyed ceramics, akae (ceramics with red painting), and other Chinese-style pottery. The kiln has produced many artisans that have become “living national treasures” – thus carrying on the tradition while developing a unique and modern style. It has also been awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide. In addition to touring the workshop and the ancient anagama kiln, visitors can experience making pottery using the glaze and clay produced at Koubeigama.

See detail

Restaurant

Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine such as specialty eels and Hida beef, using local ingredients, served with Mino yaki ware dishes.

See detail

Stay

Iwasu Onsen Ryokan Iwasu-so Villa

Surrounded by mountains and rivers, this is a hot spring ryokan where you can be surrounded by nature. The natural radium hot spring is known for its medicinal power and is called "the hot water to cure all diseases”. The ryokan is also certified as a “designated restaurant for the cooking of Hida beef”, serving steaks of Hida beef, ayu chazuke, and other seasonal foods. Come and spend time letting your mind and body unwind as you relax with the beauty of nature.

See detail

Oniiwa Onsen Ryouzan

A special room with an open-air bath awaits you. Surrounded by nature, you can relax comfortably in the forest. Drink tea at the cafe or read a book in the library, with the chirping birds and murmuring of the stream at Ryouzan. From savouring the natural sweetfish, Hida beef and carefully selected local ingredients, or the reinvigorating treatments at the spa, come and experience healing for your mind and body.

See detail
  • ・
    Languages
    ：
     Mainly in Japanese, other languages based upon request.
  • ・
    Number of participants
    ：
     2 to 8 people
  • ・
    Meeting place
    ：
     negotiable
  • ・
    Reservation deadline
    ：
     14 days prior to departure
  • ・
    Payment method
    ：
     Bank transfer, credit card
  • ・
    Clothing
    ：
     None specified
  • ・
    Tour guide
    ：
     Local producer or interpreter (arrangements made based upon customer’s preference)
  • ・
    Cancellation fee
    ：
     29~15days prior to departure 5% 14~7days prior to departure 20% 6~4days prior to departure 50% 3~1days prior to departure 70% Departure day or no show 100%
  • ・
    Precautions
    ：
     -Tour will be held even in cases of rain, except in the event of a typhoon or heavy rain warning. -All photos shown are for illustrative purposes only. -The places to be visited are not tourist destinations, and due to circumstances, there may be different processes within the factory with the machines not being in operation. -Elementary school students and younger may participate in the tour with the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. However, we cannot be held responsible for any injuries or accidents happening during the tour, including in the parking lot and in the workshop. -Please make sure that parents/guardians do not touch the machines, especially during the tour inside the workshop. -We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your participation in the tour. -The tour will be cancelled in the event that smooth operation of the tour becomes difficult due to the new coronavirus infection situation or other reasons. If the tour is cancelled, full amount of the tour fee will be refunded.
Get a quote

Explore destinations

Craft tours are available in production areas throughout Japan.
Choose your favourite tour by area or theme. Destinations

Destinations