Tokoname Bonsai Pottery Tour with Three Master Artisans

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Tokoname Pottery Footpath

  Travel together by Meitetsu train to Tokoname, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. During the journey, your guide will introduce the rich history of Tokoname ware and explain why the town has become one of Japan’s most celebrated centers of ceramic craftsmanship. Stroll through Tokoname’s atmospheric pottery district, where over a thousand years of ceramic history remain part of everyday life. Walk past historic kilns, brick chimneys, the famous Clay Pipe Hill, and charming workshops before arriving at Kakuzan Toen.

  1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2

  Meet fourth-generation artisan Kakuyuki Watanabe, a certified Traditional Craftsman, at this family-run pottery studio with three generations of Tokoname ceramic heritage. Tour the workshop and browse two floors of gallery space showcasing a wide variety of Tokoname pottery.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3
  Tokoname Pottery Footpath

  Continue your stroll through the historic pottery district, discovering more galleries, workshops, and the everyday scenery that has shaped Tokoname’s ceramic culture for over a thousand years.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  Meet artisan Juko, whose bonsai pots are admired for their beautiful Oribe glaze, known for its rich green color and expressive character. View his distinctive creations in the gallery while learning directly from the artisan about his glazing techniques, creative philosophy, and dedication to producing exceptional bonsai pottery.

  35 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 5

  Meet Kazuhiro Watanabe, one of the artisans preserving Tokoname’s traditional mold-pressing technique. Explore his workshop, filled with an impressive collection of bonsai pots featuring bold textures and elegant patterns. Then wander through the adjoining bonsai garden, where beautifully cultivated trees are displayed in handcrafted containers, demonstrating the harmony between bonsai and ceramic art. Take a short walk back to the Tokoname station. Travel back to Nagoya together by Meitetsu train. Guests who wish to continue exploring Tokoname independently may end the tour locally and enjoy lunch or further sightseeing along the Pottery Footpath at their own pace.

  1 hour 40 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• The Pottery Footpath includes slopes and some uneven surfaces.
• Some workshops and galleries may only accept cash. If you plan to make any purchases, please bring some cash with you.
• This package tour includes statutory accident compensation in accordance with Japan’s Travel Agency Act. We also recommend that travelers purchase their own travel insurance for broader medical and travel-related coverage.
• Minimum age of participants is 7.

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