Discover Tohoku's Oldest Pottery "Aizu Hongo-yaki": A Two-Day Premium Pottery Experience with a Special Open Studio Tour and Commentary

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• A premium plan to explore the manufacturing process of “Aizu Hongo-yaki,” the oldest pottery in Tohoku.
• Guided by the craftsmen themselves, with a special tour of a normally closed quarry.
• Enjoy a tea ceremony using Hongo-yaki pottery, accompanied by local cuisine.

【DETAILS】

■Learn about Aizu Hongo-yaki
Craftsman Munakata Toshihiro, who has won numerous awards and held solo exhibitions, will guide you through the “Noborigama” kiln and explain the history and culture of Aizu Hongo-yaki. (Noborigama: A kiln that uses wood as fuel, allowing the ash to naturally melt into a glaze while firing the porcelain.)

■Learn about the raw materials
Special tour of the “Okubo Toseki” quarry, which is not open to the public.

■Experience the techniques
Hands-on pottery making under the direct guidance of craftsmen who have worked both domestically and internationally.

■Experience the food
Enjoy the cuisine of Chef Tashiro Makoto, who uses Aizu Hongo-yaki, at the auberge in Misato Town. Aizu Hongo-yaki is also famous for its Kyusu (small Japanese teapot), and a tea ceremony using these teapots will be held.

■Famous Ceramic Researcher Mori Yumi
Mori Yumi, a renowned ceramic researcher in Japan, has appeared in numerous media and is the daughter of the famous antique appraiser Nakajima Seinosuke.

【STORY】

 Misato Town in Fukushima Prefecture is famous for its pottery, which has a history of over 400 years as the oldest pottery in Tohoku. The town is unique in Japan for producing both pottery and porcelain, thanks to its abundant high-quality stone and clay. It is the only place in eastern Japan that produces stone-based pottery.

In particular, “Aizu Hongo-yaki” produced here was known as the official kiln of the Aizu domain and was treasured as noble pottery used by samurai. It is also famous as the birthplace of the tea strainer, with its teapots being called the best in Japan.

This program offers a 2-day, 1-night tour to enjoy Aizu Hongo-yaki in Misato Town. You will receive a special explanation from the craftsmen about the manufacturing process, history, and culture of Aizu Hongo-yaki at the largest and oldest “Noborigama” kiln in Japan, which is usually not accessible.

Additionally, a tea ceremony using the best teapot in Japan and Aizu’s local cuisine will be held at the “Mukaihaguroyama Castle Ruins,” a national historic site with a spectacular view of Mt. Bandai and the Aizu Basin.

How about experiencing Japanese culture that can only be enjoyed in this place and with this plan?

【PRICES】

300,000 yen (tax included)  per person

【SCHEDULE】

◆Day 1
[13:00] Gather at Aizu Hongo-yaki Ceramic Hall, explanation of Aizu Hongo-yaki features
　　　 Transfer (taxi or chartered bus)
[13:30] Tour of the Okubo Toseki quarry to learn about the history and raw materials of Aizu Hongo-yaki
　　　 Visit Munakata Kiln and Noborigama
　　　 Visit Sousyun Kiln with the craftsmen [from forming (wheel) to drying and bisque firing]
[17:00] Transfer (taxi or chartered bus)
[18:00] Dinner and accommodation at Tsubu la Gozzo (auberge)

◆Day 2
[08:00] Breakfast
[09:00] Gather at the lobby of Tsubu la Gozzo (auberge)
　　　 Transfer (taxi or chartered bus)
[10:00] Aizu tea ceremony experience at Mukaihaguroyama Castle Ruins
[11:00] Tea ceremony using Kyusu (small Japanese teapot)
[12:00] Transfer (taxi or chartered bus)
[12:30] Disband at Aizu Hongo Station

【ACCOMMODATIONS】

Tsubu la Gozzo （331 Fukushigeoka Yashikimawari Otsu, Aizumisato-machi, Onuma-gun, Fukushima 969-6144）
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Check-in: 18:00 / Check-out: 9:00
Room Type: Traditional Japanese House
Meals: French and Italian (course meals using seasonal local ingredients)
Meals Provided: Breakfast: Yes, Lunch: No, Dinner: Yes

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：2 days
• Minimum number of participants：1 person (maximum 6 people)
• Meeting point：Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall [MAP]
  3162 Setomachi, Aizumisato machi, Onuma gun, Fukushima, 969-6042
• Access：
  By Car: About 25 minutes from Aizuwakamatsu IC on the Ban-etsu Expressway, about 20 minutes from Nitsuru Smart IC
  By Train: About 20 minutes on foot from Aizu-Hongo Station on the JR Tadami Lin
• Tour conductor for 24 hours：No
• Accompanying National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter or Local Licensed Guide Interpreter：Yes
  
• Language suppor：Japanese, English
• Meals (included in a tour fee)：Yes（Breakfast：1, Lunch：0, Dinner：1）
• Included：
  ・Experience fee
  ・Special guide and instructor fee
  ・Venue rental fee
  ・Transportation costs
  ・Meal costs (dinner, breakfast)
  ・Accommodation fee（Breakfast：1, Lunch：0, Dinner：1）
• Excluded：
  ・Transportation to the meeting place
  ・Souvenir and additional food/drink costs on-site
• Clothes：None specified
  
• Participation requirements：Over 12 years old
  
• Special support：Please consult with us in advance if you have any food allergies.
  
• Free Wi-Fi：No
• Toilet： Yes
• Other things to note：This plan is for participants aged 12 and older.
  

【TOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS】

Before booking the tour, please confirm the Tour Terms & Conditions and save the document.

Check [TOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS]（Japanese）

【TOUR PLANNER AND CONDUCTOR】

Regional Branding Institute Co., Ltd.
Aqua Terrace UⅡ Bldg., 8F, 2-20-3 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0034
Travel Agency registered with a Tokyo Governor 2-7547
A regular member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

20 to 8 days before the departure date of the tour　20%
7 to 2 days before the departure date of the tour　30%
The day before the departure date of the tour　40%
On the day of the departure date of the tour　50%
After the tour departed, No show　100%