Visit

Yakimono Dori (Pottery Street)/To no Komichi (Pottery Lane)

Long-established pottery studios and large-sized wholesale stores are lined up at Kasama Yakimono Dori, a street along National Route 355. The numerous facilities include Katsura Tougei, which specializes in handling Kasama-yaki, a Japan Heritage, and Hisa Toukoubou, where visitors can participate in a pottery workshop.

To no Komichi is also a pottery street. It starts from the eastern side of Kasama Yakimono-dori and runs parallel to another craft street, Gallery Road. There are about ten stores directly managed by pottery studios, where visitors can meet the potters directly.

Kasama Inari Shrine

First established in 651, Kasama Inari Shrine is one of Japan's famous Inari shrines, attracting around 3.5 million pilgrims and visitors annually. The sacred site enshrines Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto, known to answer prayers for success in business and protection from fires. The shrine grounds are stunning in the late spring when the wisteria flower bloom. Another beautiful time to visit is during the chrysanthemum festival in autumn.
The streets leading up to the shrine are filled with various shops to explore, from traditional soba restaurants to fashionable cafes and renovated sake breweries. Specialties of the area include Kasama Inari Sushi, rice with walnuts, and other seasonal products wrapped in deep-fried tofu and roasted chestnuts. Kasama City is known for its pottery, and there are plenty of galleries in the area to pick up a souvenir before heading home.

Suzuki Mohei Shoten Shop

Suzuki Mohei Shoten, established in 1865, is one of the Suifu chochin (paper lantern) manufacturers.
Suifu chochin (with the name Suifu coming from the old name of Mito City) is a traditional craft of the city which originated about 400 years ago when low-ranking samurai, to support their livelihood, began making folding paper lanterns from high-grade, durable Nishinouchi paper produced in the northern part of the prefecture.
Suzuki Mohei Shoten makes lanterns not only for traditional events, but also modern-style lanterns for interior use, including lanterns with unique shapes like birds and stars, as well as those with a sound-sensor lighting function.
In addition to selling products the shop also offers a hands-on experience of making a Suifu chochin, a workshop rarely available at other manufacturers.
Please ensure to make a reservation in advance if you wish to participate.