Mashiko Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
town in Haga district, Tochigi prefecture, Japan
About Mashiko
Large noborigama kilns were first founded there in 1853, by immigrant potters from the neighboring pottery community Kasama in Ibaraki prefecture. Simple and rustic in style, the main glazes are a clear wood ash glaze, a white rice husk ash glaze, black and kaki (persimmon), sometimes decorated with enamel red, yellow and green. These are worlds apart from the courtly ceramics of Kyoto but yet very Japanese. Pottery has been made since Jomon times (over 10,000 years ago) in Mashiko, but modern Mashiko yaki dates only to 1853. The style was popularized by the potter Shoji Hamada. He was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (so-calledNingen Kokuhō, Living National Treasure) in 1955. Because of Hamada, Mashiko yaki has been viewed as a good example of Mingei
Top Attractions in Mashiko
Explore the best things to see and do in Mashiko:
- ★Mashiko Sankokan Museum
- ★Tōgei Messe Mashiko
- ★Tonoike Sake Brewery
- ★Yoshimura Strawberry Park
- ★Zen no Rōka
Where to Stay in Mashiko
- 🏨Hotel Mashikokan
- 🏨Minshuku Yamaji
- 🏨Mori no Garden Mashiko
- 🏨Tao Art Club, Potters Inn
- 🏨Yuwakan
Mashiko Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: