Free
Self-Guided
Travel Plan
Escape the city and enjoy a day out in Mashiko pottery town!
Overview
This is a one-day itinerary (Self-Guided Travel Plan) to help visitors plan a trip to Mashiko Town from Tokyo.
This itinerary will take you on a journey to explore the Mashiko countryside on foot, visit museums, enjoy delicious meals at local restaurants, and shop at pottery shops.
This plan also includes the best train and bus connections from Tokyo to help you have a smooth journey. (Train and bus times can change unexpectedly, so please check here for up-to-date times)
Culture
Pottery
Museum
Art
Shopping
Best Days to Visit: | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday *Sundays have less busses to and from Mashiko. *If Monday is a National Holliday, visit on Monday instead of a Tuesday. |
|---|---|
Included in Itinerary: | 2 x Pottery Museums, 2 x Climbing Kilns, Pottery tool store, Restaurant (Lunch), Pottery shopping |
Transportation: | Public (Train, Bus, Rent-a cycle) |
Start and End: | Tokyo Station |
Guided Level: | Fully Self Guided *The information on this page should be used as a guide only. We cannot accept responsibility for any errors or misinformation on this page or any incidents or injuries that occur during your trip. |
Duration: | 7hour 30 min (Mon- Sat), 6 hour 30 min (Sun) |
Reviews
- 🌟 It was all fun!
- 🌟 Enjoyed visiting Shoji Hamada Museum (Sankokan Museum)
- 🌟 Anywhere with ceramic shopping is 10/10
Travel Highlights
(Times were last updated on the 23rd September 2025)
*Please double check with Google Maps when planning your trip.
Self-Guided Travel Plan
(Times were last updated on the 23rd September 2025)
*Please double check with Google Maps when planning your trip.
8:07 am
(Mon-Sat)
8:56 am
(Sat)
9:40 am
(Sunday)
Depart Tokyo Station
Take the Tohoku Shinkansen (or Yamagata or Akita Shinkansen) from Tokyo station (or Ueno Station). Your journey from Tokyo to Utsunomiya station should only take around 50 mins.
*Sunday has different train time table.
48min by Shinkansen
(Bullet train)
9:00 am
(Mon-Sat)
9:44 am
(Sat)
10:28 am
(Sunday)
Arrive at JR Utsunomiya Station
After arriving at JR Utsunomiya Station exit the barriers and make your way to the West exit to find the buses to Mashiko. You may have some time to take a group photo or grab a coffee at starbucks, but make sure not to miss the bus as they are not that frequent!
*Sunday has different train time table.
3min Walk
West Exit Bus terminal (Bus stop No. 14)
9:33 am
(Mon-Fri)
10:18 am
(Sat)
11:03 am
(Sunday)
Take the Kanto Bus to Mashiko
From No 14 Bus stop on the West side of JR Utsunomiya station take the bus towards Mashiko (益子). It will take Suica cards (and other IC cards), but it does not take credit cards. If paying cash, make sure to take the ticket when boarding as this will prove where you boarded the bus.
*Saturdays and Sundays have a separate timetable
60min Bus ride
10:25 am
(Mon-Fri)
11:12 am
(Sat)
11:57 am
(Sunday)
Arrive at 'Mashiko Sankokan Iriguchi' Bus Stop
After 60-70 min get off the bus at ‘Mashiko Sankokan Iriguchi (益子参考館入口）
*Arrival times may vary depending on traffic.
10min Walk
1
10:40 am
(Mon-Fri)
11:20 am
(Sat)
12:10 pm
(Sunday)
Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Sankokan Museum
Mashiko Sanko kan museum is a museum dedicated to Shoji Hamada’s collection and work. Visitors can walk through old buildings, Hamada’s pottery studio, and see their climbing kiln.
Closed Mondays (If Monday is a holiday it will be closed on the Tuesday instead of the Monday) and some irregular dates (please see their website).
Entry: Adult 1,000 yen / Child 500 yen (Free for 6 year olds or under)
10min Walk
12:00 pm
(Mon-Fri)
12:30 pm
(Sat)
1:05pm
(Sunday)
LUNCH
Meisui (Soba & Cafe)
Lovely soba restaurant with gallery oposit from the bus stop.
*Closed Mon & Tues
Pain de Noemie (Bakery & Cafe)
Trendy bakery between the bus stop and Sankokan Museum.
Closed Wed & Thur
Buddy's (Curry & Cafe)
Delicious Indian Curry Restaurant beside the bus stop
*Closed Tues & Wed
10min Walk
2
1:20 pm
(Mon-Sat)
1:40 pm
(Sat)
2:05 pm
(Sunday)
Iwashita Pottery Shop and Studio
Iwashita Pottery Shop and Studio has a small museum where you can see the largest climbing kiln in the North Kanto region of Japan as well as learn about the clay and different materials that are used to make different color glaze.
2min Walk
3
2:00 pm
(Mon-Fri)
2:10 pm
(Sat)
2:35 pm
(Sunday)
Mashikoyaki Kyodoukumiai Shop (Pottery tools shop)
A small shop that sells professional tools for potters and ceramic artists. Some tools are unique to Japan and only sold here. (The store closes at 4pm so make sure to arrive as soon as you can to avoid disappointment)
6min Walk
4
2:30 pm
(Mon-Fri)
2:30 pm
(Sat)
2:50 pm
(Sunday)
Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art
The museum exhibits works by Shoji Hamada, Tatsuzo Shimaoka, and other artists. The “Shoji Hamada Residence” was relocated here and visitors can see a restored climbing kiln that Hamada used during his lifetime.
Closed Mondays (If Monday is a holiday it will be closed on the Tuesday instead of the Monday) and some irregular dates (please see their website).
Entry: Adult 600 yen (300 yen if over 65 years old) / Child 300 yen (Free for 2year olds or younger)
4min Walk
5
3:45 pm
(Mon-Fri)
3:30 pm
(Sat)
3:45 pm
(Sunday)
Pottery shopping
Jyonaizaka Street, is the main street for pottery shopping and has many exciting pottery shops. This is a great place to find souvenirs from your trip to Japan.
*Most shops close at 5pm
4min Walk
5:05 pm
(Mon-Fri)
*Last Bus
4:08 pm
(Sat)
4:23 pm
(Sunday)
*Last Bus
Take the Bus from 'Togei Messe Iriguchi' Bus Stop (to JR Utsunomiya Sta.)
Walk down the main road on the right side and find the bus stop back to JR Utsunomiya Station (JR 宇都宮駅).
*Arrival times may vary depending on traffic.
*Sundays have a separate timetable.
60-70 min by Bus
6:20 pm
(Mon-Fri)
5:14 pm
(Sat)
5:29 pm
(Sunday)
Arrive back at JR Utsunomiya Station
Once you arrive back in Utsunomiya, you can choose to head back to Tokyo or explore Utsunomiya city to see what the city offers.
*Arrival times may vary depending on traffic.
3 min Walk
7:00 pm
(Mon-Fri)
6:00 pm
(Sat)
6:00 pm
(Sunday)
Take the Shinkansen to Tokyo
Hop on the Shinkansen and Tokyo station is just 50 min away!
*Saturdays and Sundays have a different timetable.
48 min by Shinkansen (Bullet train)
7:53 pm
(Mon-Fri)
6:48 pm
(Sat)
6:48 pm
(Sunday)
Arrive back at in Tokyo
Back in Tokyo. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Mashiko!
*Saturdays and Sundays have a different timetable.
