2 hour private experience
Location: Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
A lifelong Imbe resident and a descendant from the founder of one of the six major Bizen Ware kilns patronized by the Ikeda Clan, Hajime trained from an early age to carry on his family's ceramic legacy. With a particular passion for tableware, he crafts functionally beautiful Bizen pottery pieces fit for any table.
What you’ll do
Tour the Bizen pottery studio of one of the original families crafting Bizen-yaki. Witness an authentic "noborigama" climbing kiln, used to fire massive amounts of completed ceramics at once. Then, experience using the wheel to move and shape clay under the direction of the master. Browse the gallery shop to see the master's completed Bizen ceramics.
Availability
Everyday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (13:30 - 15:30)
Who can attend
Children must be 15+ years old.
What to wear/bring
Clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Access
50min by car from Okayama Station.
Rustic Refinement
Iron-rich clay, fired unglazed at scalding temperatures, and organic hues of color make Bizen ceramics singularly distinct. Known as one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, this classic Okayama craft eschews glazed coatings, with the unique characteristics of each finished piece of pottery arising enchantingly unplanned. Bizen pottery traces its origins to a much older art form, Sue pottery, which was introduced from the Korean peninsula during the Kofun period, evolving into its distinctive iconic form during the Heian period. As time passed, Bizen ware gained prominence, particularly in tea culture for its wabi-sabi simplicity, with its production historically sustained by the Ikeda Clan, who patronized six principal kilns that defined the tradition. Join a direct, 14th-generation descendant from one of the original founding Bizen pottery families in his historic studio, where centuries-old techniques are carried forward by hand. Here, witness the alchemy of earth and fire, and gain rare insight into an emblematic Okayama tradition.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.