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What to do in Mashiko
Create your own mashiko pottery
As a famous pottery town, Mashiko has more than 200 pottery studios. As well as finding a nice souvenir, visitors can also give the wheel a spin and make their trip to Japan more special.
Experience the local drink (Sake)
Mashiko boasts their very own Sake brewery. Founded nearly 100 years ago, Tonoike Sake Brewery is a multi-award-winning sake brewery which is visitor-friendly and a fun place to stop by.
Explore the Mashiko countryside
Why not hire a bicycle from the several bike spots around town? Spring and autumn are wonderful times to bike through the hills and fields on one of our town’s power-assisted bicycles.
Discover local culture
Why not learn the history and art of pottery? Several museums showcase Mashiko’s unique pottery culture and the 100-year-history with the UK.
Indulge in delicious Strawberries
Mashiko grows the best strawberries in the world! Two popular strawberry farms offer strawberry picking where visitors can come and pick the luxurious Tochiotome & Sky-berry strawberries.
Where to stay in Mashiko
Hotel
Offering western style bedrooms and traditional tatami style rooms with a ensuite onsen.
Mashikokan Satoyama Resort Hotel
Hotel website
Guesthouse
No frills budget guesthouse in a traditional Japanese house. Popular with potters and backpackers.
Furuki
Book Here
Holiday Home
Are you looking for an airbnb or a holiday home to rent with your friends and family?
Morino Garden
Book HereTravel Assistance
Hagiwara Kanko
Established in 1978, Hagiwara Kanko is a highly reputable local travel company offering original bus tours in the Tochigi area as well as tailor-made tours from Tokyo and international airports. (Wheelchair access busses are available)
Mashiko Tourism Office
Located next to Mashiko Station, visitors can pop by the office to pick up English brochures and talk to the local staff for advice.
Local volunteer guides
For 10-40 people
Choose from 3 selected courses lasting 2.5 to 3 hours each, or ask to arrange tailor-made walking tours. Please see the Mashiko Tourist Association website for more information and click on the button on right to download the application form.
Getting around Mashiko
It’s easy to get around !
Walking
The pottery area is within a 20 min walk from Mashiko Station.
Bicycle
The best way to experience Mashiko is on a bike! Bike hire is very affordable and is available throughout the town.
Taxi
If it’s raining or you have luggage taxis are also useful.
Car Hire
Car hire is available near the station and at Satoyama Resort Hotel.
Local Train
12 trains a day connect the pottery area and strawberry picking farm (4 min ride). A steam engine runs on weekends.
Local Bus
You can find local buses at the station and Kyohan center in the pottery area.
Pottery Experiences
Selection of popular pottery experiences in Mashiko
Furuki
A popular destination for overseas potters. Furuki offers 3 hour classes as well as full-day classes and space hire.
Speak English
Yes
Overseas shipping
Yes
Times
9:00-12:00 (3h) or 13:00-16:00 (3h) or 9:00-16:00 (6h)
Price
From 3,700 yen (3 h) or 5,800 yen (6h) +postage
Komine Gama
A friendly pottery studio with a pottery shop. Staff are helpful and welcoming.
Speak English
No
Overseas shipping
No
Times
3 x a day from 10:00 -12:00, 13:00-15:00 or 15:00-17:00
Price
From 2,700 yen + postage
Yamani Otsuka
Located beside the ‘Kyohan Center’ Yamani Otsuka is a convenient pottery studio offering 45 min pottery workshops.
Speak English
No
Overseas shipping
No
Times
Open from 9:30-16:00
Price
From 2,300 yen +postage
Interested in taking a pottery class?
Check out our new pottery experience (pottery workshop) web page to watch videos and find out about the pottery experiences.
Museums & Galleries
Selection of museums and galleries
Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art
Visitors can view collections from legendary potters such as Shoji Hamada and Tatsuzo Shimaoka as well as British potter Bernard Leach and artists from the early stages of Leach Pottery.
Speak English
Yes
Times
9:30-16:00
Closed on Mondays and inbetween exhibitions
Price
Adult 600 yen
Mashiko Sankokan Museum
Visitors can walk around Shoji Hamada’s studio and peek inside his famous Noborigama kiln which is still in use as well as admire his collections from around the world.
Speak English
Yes
Times
9:00-16:30
Closed on Mondays and inbetween exhibitions
Price
Adult 800 yen
Higeta Aizome Kobo
Spreading Japan’s traditional art of indigo dyeing and other vegetable dyeing over the last two centuries Higeta is a popular destination for people visiting Mashiko.
Speak English
Yes
Times
8:30-17:00
Closed on Mondays
Price
Free to look around
Sake Brewery
Tonoike Sake Brewery
Mashiko’s only sake brewery. Come and learn how their award-winning sake is made.
Speak English
Yes
Times
Open 365 days. (9:00-17:00)
Price
Free (Tasting 500 – 800 yen)
Strawberry Picking
Yoshimura Strawberry Farm
Come and pick/eat some delicious Japanese strawberries!
Speak English
Yes
Times
December – Early May (Open 7 days a week. Mornings are best to visit)
Price
1,000 – 1,600 yen
Mashiko Kano Ichigo Danchi
Come and pick/eat some delicious Japanese strawberries!
Speak English
No
Times
December – Early May (Open 7 days a week. Except New Years Day)
Price
1,000 – 1,600 yen
Events in Mashiko
- All
- 04 | APR
- 05 | MAY
- 08 | AUG
- 11 | NOV
- Artisan Cafes
- CREATIVE
- EVENT
- FESTIVE
- HISTORY & CULTURE
- Handmade Crafts
- Mashiko
- NATURE
- SEASONAL-BEAUTY
- TRADITIONAL
- UNIQUE-EXPERENCE
- Utsunomiya Area
How to get to Mashiko
By Train
From Tokyo via JR Utsunomiya Station (JR Line)
From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) to JR Utsunomiya Station. Then take the bus to Mashiko Station.
Check out the ‘Japan Transit Planner’ for train times to Utsunomiya.
Approx. 2 -2.5 hours
Check out the ‘Japan Transit Planner’ for train times to Utsunomiya.
Approx. 2 -2.5 hours
From Tokyo via Shimodate Station (Moka Line)
From Tokyo take the Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) to JR Oyama Station. Then take the JR Mito line to Shimodate Station and the Moka Line to Mashiko. (Steam engines also run on weekends!)
Check out the ‘Japan Transit Planner’ for train times to Oyama, Shimodate & Mashiko Stations Approx. 3 hours
Check out the ‘Japan Transit Planner’ for train times to Oyama, Shimodate & Mashiko Stations Approx. 3 hours
By Bus
From Akihabara in Tokyo (Yakimono Liner)
4 direct busses run from Akihabara in Tokyo to Mashiko and back everyday. This is the most convenient way of getting to Mashiko from Tokyo. Fairs are Approx. 3,800 yen for a return ticket. See here for bus timetables.
Approx. 2.5 hours
From the Airport
From Narita Airport
Hire a car and take the Expressway to Moka Interchange.
(20 min drive from Moka IC)
Approx. 90 min
From Haneda Airport
Take the Train to JR Utsunomiya and take a bus or rent a car.
Approx. 180 min
From Ibaraki Airport
Hire a car and take the Expressway to Moka Interchange.
(20 min drive from Moka IC)
Approx. 80 min
Maps and Guides of Mashiko
English Guides
Mashiko Tourist Guide (Detailed)
Discover Mashiko Brochure
Pottery & Accommodation Map
Soba & Udon Map
Food & Restaurant Map
Contact
Mashiko Tourist Office
Phone: +81 285-72-8846
Email: info@mashiko-kankou.org
Address:
1539-2 Mashiko, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi-ken, Japan 321-4217
〒321-4217 栃木県芳賀郡益子町益子1539-2
Open Times:
MON-FRI 08:30 – 17:15
SAT 08:30 – 17:00
SUN 08:30 – 17:15
*Please check for Bank Holidays
We look forward to seeing you!
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