Luxury Private Japan Pottery Tour

Welcome to Osaka

Welcome to Osaka! We will arrange your private transportation from the airport. Please look for the guide with the All Japan Tours sign.

Kyoto (Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery / Silver Pavilion / Philosopher's Path / Nomura Museum of Art)

Start the day with a visit to the Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery, a pottery gallery featuring a collection of ceramics from Japanese potters – both antique and contemporary. Visitors can learn about Japanese pottery traditions from longtime Japan resident and pottery journalist Robert Yellin. The next stop for the day will be Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, a Zen temple modeled after the Golden Pavilion, featuring a carefully tended “sand garden” as well as a moss garden. Next, we will stroll along the Philosopher’s Path which runs along a water canal lined with hundreds of cherry blossom trees. Finally, in the Nomura Museum of Art, you can see over 1,000 different cultural exhibits, including traditional Noh masks and ceramic implements used for tea ceremony.

Kyoto (Meet Potters in the Kiyomizu Pottery District / Ichikawaya Coffee Shop / Kawai Kanjiro's House / Kondo Yuzo Museum / Gion Geisha District - Kyoto Kaiseki Dinner with Geisha Performance)

After breakfast, head over to the Kiyomizu Pottery District to meet Japanese potters and witness their craftsmanship. Then you can go to the Ichikawaya Coffee Shop and take a coffee break with a traditional Japanese ceramic cup. Next, go to the Kawai Kanjiro House, to see ceramic exhibits and preserved kilns that show the talent of the late Japanese potter and folk artist, Kawai Kanjiro. Then, at the Kondo Yuzo Memorial Museum, see the work of Kondo Yuzo - one of the finest masters of "sometsuke", or the white and blue ceramics technique, who ever lived. We will end our day in the Gion Geisha District, where its streets are lined with ochaya (teahouses), exclusive establishments where guests are entertained by Geisha and Maiko. Here, we will enjoy traditional Kyoto Cuisine while viewing a special Geisha performance.

Kyoto (Raku Museum / Kyoto National Museum / Visit to a Traditional Wooden Townhouse to learn about Kimono and Green Tea Ceremony / Shinmonzen Antique District)

After breakfast, you can visit the Raku Museum, which displays examples of the famed Raku-style of pottery. This style is known for being hand-formed and fired in a low-temperature kiln. After, visit the Kyoto National Museum – one of the oldest and most distinguished in all of Japan. The museum’s permanent collection ranges widely from archeological relics, calligraphy, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and even costumes. We will then visit a traditional wooden townhouse to learn some of the iconic traditional arts of Japan, such as Kimono and Green Tea Ceremony. After, browse the rare antiques in shops along the Shinmonzen Antique District.

Koka (Miho Museum / Meet Potters in Shigaraki Pottery Town)

After breakfast, visit the Miho Museum, which exhibits stunning architecture that accentuates the surrounding natural scenery while exhibiting a variety of items from ancient civilizations. It was designed by the renowned architect, I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum. Then head over to meet the potters of Shiragaki Potter Town. This town has one of the six oldest kilns in Japan and is known historically for its rich clay. Shigaraki- ware is said to have begun when tiles were made in 742 for the construction of Shigaraki-no- Miya Palace.

Komatsu (Meet Potters), Nomi (Asakura Isokichi Museum / Nomi Kutani Ceramic Museum)

In the morning, you can visit Komatsu, an area known for Kutani ware ceramics, and meet the potters of this area. Then, in nearby Nomi, take a trip to the Asakura Isokichi Museum, dedicated to the renowned Kutani potter Asakura Isokichi, to see works done using this graceful and delicate technique. Finally, visit the Nomi Kutani Ceramic Museum, which includes famous Kutani ware works from as far back as the Edo period, and occasional special exhibits from more contemporary potters.

Kanazawa (Ohi Museum / Meet Potters), Shirakawago (Shiroyama Viewpoint / Gassho-zukuri Minkaen)

Today, in Kanazawa, start the day by meeting potters of the Ohi pottery style at the Ohi Museum, headed by the 10th generation of the Ohi Chozaemon pottery family, who makes ceramics with special hand-tools carefully preserved and handed down to each new generation. And then, in the UNESCO Heritage town of Shirakawa- go, you will walk past thatched roof farm houses and cultivated fields to see unspoiled Edo period wooden buildings. Once there, we will go to the Shiroyama Viewpoint, as well as the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, which is an open-air museum of farmhouses and structures relocated to this area.

Takayama (Morning Market / Takayama Jinya / Old Town / Kusakabe Folk Museum / Takayama Yatai Kaikan)

We will start the day with the Takayama Morning Market, where visitors can taste local farm products and snacks. After strolling through streets that are reminiscent of the Edo Period, you can then tour the Takayama Jinya. This building served as the local government office headed by the officials dispatched from Edo and preserves historical documents and other relics from that time. Next, explore the Sanmachi Suji, one of the three Old Town streets that have survived in a beautiful state, with some businesses that have been around for centuries. Finally, experience the traditional atmosphere at the Takayama Yatai Kaikan, which exhibits life-sized floats and instruments used in the Takayama Festivals.

Tajimi (Prefectural Museum / Meet Potters)

Today offers the opportunity for a trip to Tajimi in Gifu prefecture, center of production for Mino-ware ceramics for the past ten centuries. First, we browse the preserved works contained in the Prefectural Museum, and afterwards you will meet the pottery artists who craft the works of this delicate style.

Tokoname (Inax Museum / Kyoei-gama Ceramics Art School)

Today, take a trip to Tokoname Pottery Town, and the INAX Museum, a group of ceramics museums that aim to convey the spirit of the local manufacturing culture. After, go to the Kyoei-gama Ceramics Art School, and see how the Japanese pass on their pottery culture to the next generation.

First Class Bullet Train to Tokyo, Tokyo (Asakusa Sensoji Temple & Nakamise Street / Kappabashi Kitchen Town / Tokyo National Museum)

In the morning, transfer to Nagoya Station and board the bullet train to Tokyo. Upon arrival, you will be taken to Asakusa – a grouping of sacred buildings belonging to two separate religions. Here, you will see Japan's two main religions living together in harmony. This is an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. One piece of this area is Asakusa Kannon Temple, or Senso-ji, one of Tokyo's oldest and most famous temples. The first section of the temple that most people will visit is the Kaminarimon, or “Thunder Gate,” which serves as the entrance to the market. This temple belongs to its own independent sect of Buddhism. Asakusa shrine honors the three men who founded Senso-ji. Built in the Edo Period, the shrine miraculously survived the air raids of 1945, and is now designated as an Important Cultural Property. This is one of the most famous Shinto Shrines in the city. You will also be able to explore the Nakamise Market, which is located right outside the temple's outer gates. This is a traditional-style shopping street with several centuries of history. After, head over to the Kappabashi- dori "Kitchen Town", where local chefs and restaurant owners come to shop for high-quality kitchen supplies and tableware. Then continue onward to the oldest and largest of Japan’s national museums – the Tokyo National Museum. This museum features a large collection of art and archeological artifacts – including historic ceramics.

Note: We will ship your large luggage to your hotel in Tokyo (Included for up to one piece of baggage per person). Please pack your essentials for 1 night in a small bag to carry with you.

Tokyo (Meiji Shrine / Visit few Pottery Galleries in Aoyama & Ginza - Bizen Gallery Aoyama, Kuroda Toen, Gallery Pousse & etc)

Our first stop on this tour will be to enjoy the natural atmosphere of the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Then spend the rest of the day visiting some pottery galleries in Aoyama and Ginza, including Bizen Gallery Aoyama, Kuroda Toen, and Gallery Pousse, which each displays a variety of ceramic styles.

Mashiko (Mashiko Sankokan Museum / Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art)

In the morning, head up into Tochigi, to the Mashiko Pottery Town to see the Mashiko Sankokan Museum and Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art. These museums feature the work of Japanese potter Shoji Hamada, including the house he used to work in, and the kiln he used to produce his works. The Museum of Ceramic Art also includes exhibits from local modern ceramic artists, who create works in the Mashiko style.

Tour Ends

After check-out, private transfer to Narita Airport or Haneda Airport for your departure flight.