4.5-Hour Fukushima Aizu-Hongo Guided Kiln Tour with Artisans

Duration4h 30m

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesJapanese, English, Spanish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

A private tour to explore the charm of "Aizu Hongo: The Village of Ceramics." By visiting traditional kilns and innovative local businesses, you will connect with the artisans and deeply immerse yourself in the rich "handicraft culture" (Teshigoto) of the Aizu region.

【HIGHLIGHTS】
Exclusive Studio Visits: Gain exclusive access to private kilns and step inside workshops rarely open to the public. Experience the ceramic-making process firsthand.
Tohoku's Oldest Climbing Kiln: Gain special access to the historic "Noborigama" (climbing kiln), the oldest of its kind in Northeast Japan.
The Spirit of Hongo-yaki: Connect with the local artisans and discover the passion and philosophy behind the unique traditions of Hongo-yaki passed down through generations.

*Important Notices
The tour may be unavoidably cancelled due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

What's included

Admission fees for two pottery studios and Tesoro
Guide Fee

Round-trip transportation to the venue
Personal expenses for souvenirs, food, and drinks.

What to expect

Aizu Hongo Tojiki Kaikan Hall
30m

[12:00] Meet and check-in at Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall
[12:05] Tour of Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall＜Transfer on foot＞

● At the Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall, you will uncover the 420-year history of a rare production center where both pottery and porcelain uniquely coexist. Learn about the local spirit of Hongo, which has long cherished an "unconventional" approach to craftsmanship. This introduction sets the stage, allowing you to feel how the entire town breathes as a single, living workshop.
40m

[12:40] Visit to the first kiln (Pottery or Porcelain)＜Transfer on foot＞

● In Hongo, kilns with distinct personalities are scattered just a few minutes' walk from one another. Although they coexist within the same small town, each studio reveals a completely different world—from the precise hand movements of the artisans and the unique textures of the clay to the varied expressions of the glazes and the meticulous temperature control of the kilns. Through personal conversations with the creators, you will connect deeply with the passion and philosophy infused into every piece of work.

*Important Notices
Please understand that visiting all of the mentioned kilns is not always possible, as access depends on the artisans' schedules and availability on the day.
40m

[13:30] Visit to the second kiln (Pottery or Porcelain)＜Transfer on foot＞
1h

[14:20] Guided walking tour through the historic streets of Aizu Hongo

●This walk takes you through the living history of the town, featuring an active climbing kiln built in the mid-Edo period and the ruins of waterwheels once used to crush pottery stone. As you wander, you will notice "Jarankake" (ceramic shards) scattered throughout the streets—small fragments of history that remain part of daily life. By tracing these traces of an era when ceramics and lifestyle were one, you will truly feel how this land itself has nurtured the culture of craftsmanship over the centuries.
30m

[15:30] Visit to TESORO.accessory＜Transfer on foot＞

●Discover the innovative future of craftsmanship by visiting an artisan who breathes new life into fragments of Hongo-yaki found throughout the town. Using the traditional technique of Kintsugi, these broken pieces are reborn as elegant accessories. This visit offers a profound moment to reflect on the themes of tradition and renewal, allowing you to glimpse the inspiring future of handmade culture.
Aizu Hongo Tojiki Kaikan Hall
30m

[16:00] Shopping and break at Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall
[16:30] End of tour at Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall

Other things to note：
・This plan is for participants aged 6 and older.
・In the event that the tour cannot be held due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, the tour operator will notify you via email by 3:00 PM the day before the scheduled date.
・If the tour is unavoidably cancelled due to weather, a full refund will be issued to the customer.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meeting point：Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall
3162 Setomachi, Aizumisato machi, Onuma gun, Fukushima, 969-6042
Access:
By Car: About 25 minutes from Aizuwakamatsu IC on the Ban-etsu Expressway, or 20 minutes from Niitsuru Smart IC.
By Train: A 20-minute walk from Aizu-Hongo Station on the JR Tadami Line.

End point

Meeting point：Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall
3162 Setomachi, Aizumisato machi, Onuma gun, Fukushima, 969-6042
Access:
By Car: About 25 minutes from Aizuwakamatsu IC on the Ban-etsu Expressway, or 20 minutes from Niitsuru Smart IC.
By Train: A 20-minute walk from Aizu-Hongo Station on the JR Tadami Line.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Ages 6 years and older

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.