1.5 hour group experience
Location: Yomitan Village, Okinawa
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
What you’ll do
Enter a tsuboya pottery studio and immerse yourself in the craftsmanship of one of Okinawa’s most representative ceramic traditions. Under the guidance of a pottery artisan, craft a plate, bowl, or cup on the wheel. Then, tour the studio space and see each of the different stations to follow the steps of the tsuboya pottery making process.
Availability
Monday to Saturday
Session 1 (09:30 - 11:00)
Session 2 (10:00 - 11:30)
Session 3 (13:30 - 15:00)
Session 4 (15:00 - 16:30)
Who can attend
Children must be 6+
What to wear
Clothing that you don't mind getting dirty
What else you should know
Your handcrafted piece of pottery will be finalized by the Masters according to your wishes and will be shipped to you about 2 months after the experience.
Overseas shipping fees are included, although additional import tax may apply depending on the destination country.
Access
1 hour by car from Naha Airport
Of Land and Sea
Vibrant glazes and bold patterns, many inspired by Okinawa’s natural landscapes, adorn the surfaces of tsuboya pottery, one of Okinawa’s most representative ceramic traditions. Developed through trade between the Kingdom of Ryukyu, mainland Asia, and Southeast Asia from the 14th to 16th centuries, tsuboya pottery absorbed a wide range of techniques and influences before taking firm root in Okinawa after trade routes were cut off under the rule of the Satsuma Domain. Drawing on methods gathered during the height of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s maritime commerce, tsuboya pottery evolved into a style uniquely shaped by the islands themselves. Local clay-rich soils and mineral-laden seashells are used to create both the clay pieces and the glazes, grounding each piece in Okinawa’s land and sea. Shaped by nature and refined by human hands, tsuboya pottery has long been a craft of everyday life, used by the local community and remaining largely within Okinawa until the Taisho era. At a tsuboya pottery studio in central Okinawa, experience the warmth of this traditional craft firsthand and connect with a ceramic tradition deeply rooted in the rhythms of island life. Under the guidance of a pottery artisan, sit behind the pottery wheel and throw and shape a plate, bowl, or cup. Then, embark on a guided tour of the studio space and see each of the different stations to follow the steps of the tsuboya pottery making process.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
