A trip around the photogenic Pottery Footpath | Recommended courses | Official Tourism Site of Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture「VISIT TOKONAME (Aichi, Japan)」

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A trip around the photogenic Pottery Footpath

The pottery culture of Tokoname City awaits you along its Pottery Footpath. Take a gander at all the sights and immerse yourself in all the local culture—stylish and fun photogenic spots, historic Japanese architecture, trendy and delicious cafes, shopping, and hands-on activities—Tokoname takes you in with open arms.
The Pottery Footpath is one stop you cannot afford to miss along your trek through Tokoname, the pinnacle of pottery culture in Aichi Prefecture!

START

Meitetsu Tokoname Station

6-min. walk

1

Tokoname Ceramic Hall

Your start along the Pottery Footpath. Souvenirs and Tokoname ware are on display and available for purchase. And there’s no lack of pottery manekineko, or beckoning cats, with one arm raised to invite prosperity and fortune into your home or business. Choose from a wide selection for the one that tickles your fancy. English pamphlets available.

Address
3-8 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Hours
9:00-17:00
Closed
Open all year-round (except for the New Year holiday)
Learn more

5-min. walk

2

Tokonyan, the Guardian Cat of Tokoname

Tokonyan is a giant manekineko, or beckoning cat, watching over and acting as the poster child of Tokoname City. This is without a doubt a premium photo spot among both young and old alike making the characteristic beckoning cat pose with one paw held up to usher in prosperity and luck.

Address
Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Learn more

10-min. walk

3

Kakuzan Pottery

Experience pottery with English support.
The pottery experience is available with support from an instructor, letting first-timers and children create with peace of mind.
The Electric Potter's Wheel Plan is fun for beginners and lets you make two items. The pieces you can make for yourself are all convenient objects to have around the dinner table, such as cups, bowls, and plates!
Kakuzan Pottery even helps you send your creations overseas.

Address
3-116 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Hours
9:00–17:00
Closed
Irregular holidays
Learn more

5-min. walk

4

nuu

A nuu look at traditional Japan, this eatery, handmade product shop, and kimono rental space is nestled in a narrow, ivy-covered street with a beautiful garden awaiting you past its front gate. The establishment itself makes use of the building’s retro architecture from when it was a kiln warehouse. The warm lighting offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for a bite to eat at lunch with menus changing by day and select ingredients to keep you going for the rest of your trek. Then, sip on a cup of coffee as you get ready to continue your stroll along the Pottery Footpath in a kimono, available for rental (advance reservation required). Staff are fluent in English and will answer any questions you may have, making for a worry-free visit.

Address
2-73 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Hours
10:00–16:00
Closed
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Learn more

3-min. walk

5

Ore no Kin no Yaki-Imo Footbath Cafe

You’re probably already wondering about the pigs in the pictures, so we’ll start from there! Ore no Kin no Yaki-Imo Footbath Cafe is home to four delightful piggies in addition to mouthwatering baked yams and other treats. Play with the pigs for a small fee, and even give them something to eat before they quietly fall asleep on your lap!
But Ore no Kin no Yaki-Imo Footbath Cafe’s name says it all—you can soak your feet in a warm bath as you enjoy the cafe’s delectable treats, such as yams slow-baked in Tokoname-ware pipes for a sweet, savory flavor that will warm your body and excite your tastebuds.

Address
2-88 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Hours
10:00–17:00
Closed
Irregular holidays
Learn more

3-min. walk

6

Dokanzaka (Ceramic Pipe Hill)

Dokanzaka
Dokanzaka

Tokoname is known for its ceramic pipes and jugs used to store all sorts of liquids since time immemorial. Segments of the pipes and the tops of the jugs act as walls along the path and an unusual scene to accent your stroll from one cafe or pottery dealer to the next. These pottery retaining walls are so prevalent, in fact, that you’ll find them all over the city of Tokoname in one fashion or another.

Address
4-120 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Learn more

5-min. walk

7

Climbing Kiln Plaza

This park acts as a place to take a short rest and admire some of the greenery along the footpath, but certainly doesn’t have any lack of pottery or fired pieces. Walk inside a giant collection of columns so large you can’t even fit both arms around. A mural using colorful fired pieces again adds an artistic flair to the scene and makes for the perfect snapshot. The park was actually even used along with much more of the Pottery Footpath in the anime film A Whisker Away.

Address
6-145 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Learn more

8

Climbing Kiln Plaza Gallery and Studio

Craft time! Paint your own beckoning cat or other fired decorative piece on the second floor with a special pen or brush—and when done with a pen, you can take your piece home the very same day. All sorts of pottery objects, dishes, and other artistic items by local potters decorate the surrounding shelves. The items you paint are perfect to hang on the Christmas tree or as a desktop reminder of your Tokoname travels.
The first floor, which you pass through on your way to the aforementioned second, is home to preserved, once active kiln. Walk inside the kiln’s expansive oven where countless pieces were fired and get an idea of just a few of Tokoname’s ceramic specialties.

Address
6-145 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Hours
9:30-16:30
Painting experience: Reception available until 15:30
Closed
Every Wednesday and during the end of the year/New Year holiday
Learn more

9

Noborigama (Climbing Kiln)

Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama
Noborigama

Toei Kiln is one of Japan’s largest climbing kilns utilizing the benefits of increased heat retention and air circulation thanks to multi-chamber construction. It was built around 1887 and in operation until 1974. Looking through the wooden gates and at original stone ovens, your imagination runs wild with images of workers running to and fro as they produce a plethora of pieces to be shipped all over Japan. Walk around and check out the stone chimney rising high above an ivy-covered wall and stone path just wide enough for you and a companion to trek along, encountering other travelers coming from the direction of your next destination.

Address
6-208 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Learn more

5-min. walk

10

Issei Pottery

After a long journey through the Pottery Footpath is another spot to get in some good shopping. The warm lighting plays along the pottery products’ surfaces for an intriguing show of light and shadow. Pieces are made in a variety of styles with shiny finishes or more modest, rough and uncoated textures by the owner, who is proficient in English.
His charming cat wanders around the store and just outside much to the acclaim of customers, letting out an absolutely adorable meow every now and again.

Address
7-33 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Hours
10:30-17:00
Closed
Irregular holidays
Learn more

 

Guides in English are also available.

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