
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Located next to Mashiko Station, visitors can pop by the office to pick up English brochures and talk to the local staff for advice.
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.
It’s easy to get around !
The pottery area is within a 20 min walk from Mashiko Station.
The best way to experience Mashiko is on a bike! Bike hire is very affordable and is available throughout the town.
If it’s raining or you have luggage taxis are also useful.
Car hire is available near the station and at Satoyama Resort Hotel.
12 trains a day connect the pottery area and strawberry picking farm (4 min ride). A steam engine runs on weekends.
You can find local buses at the station and Kyohan center in the pottery area.
Selection of popular pottery experiences in Mashiko
A popular destination for overseas potters. Furuki offers 3 hour classes as well as full-day classes and space hire.
9:00-12:00 (3h) or 13:00-16:00 (3h) or 9:00-16:00 (6h)
From 3,700 yen (3 h) or 5,800 yen (6h) +postage
A friendly pottery studio with a pottery shop. Staff are helpful and welcoming.
3 x a day from 10:00 -12:00, 13:00-15:00 or 15:00-17:00
From 2,700 yen + postage
Located beside the ‘Kyohan Center’ Yamani Otsuka is a convenient pottery studio offering 45 min pottery workshops.
Open from 9:30-16:00
From 2,300 yen +postage
Check out our new pottery experience (pottery workshop) web page to watch videos and find out about the pottery experiences.
Selection of museums and galleries
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.
9:30-16:00
Closed on Mondays and inbetween exhibitions
Adult 600 yen
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.
9:00-16:30
Closed on Mondays and inbetween exhibitions
Adult 800 yen
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.
8:30-17:00
Closed on Mondays
Free to look around
Mashiko’s only sake brewery. Come and learn how their award-winning sake is made.
Yes
Open 365 days. (9:00-17:00)
Free (Tasting 500 – 800 yen)
Come and pick/eat some delicious Japanese strawberries!
Yes
December – Early May (Open 7 days a week. Mornings are best to visit)
1,000 – 1,600 yen
Come and pick/eat some delicious Japanese strawberries!
No
December – Early May (Open 7 days a week. Except New Years Day)
1,000 – 1,600 yen
From Tokyo via JR Utsunomiya Station (JR Line)
From Tokyo via Shimodate Station (Moka Line)
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 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
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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