A Two-Day Trip to Kasama: Enjoy Pottery and Local Culture

Those interested in pottery and art should visit Kasama City, known for its unique pottery culture, and the Kasama Himatsuri Pottery Festival. Kasama-yaki (pottery) has a long history and is designated as a Japan Heritage. In the following, we will introduce a 2-day/1-night model course that allows you to fully enjoy the local pottery culture as well as attractive local restaurants and eateries, the Kasama Inari Shrine—one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan—museums and parks. A rental bicycle will be used on the first day, with walking and a taxi ride on the second day.

1 night, 2 days

Day 1

Tokyo Station

(Train) 1 hour and 10 minutes

Tomobe Station

(Train) 10 minutes

Kasama Station

(On foot) Immediate

Kasama Ekimae Tourist Information Center, Rental Cycle

The center, located near Kasama Station, provides guidance to visitors while operating as a rental bicycle station. A bicycle is an ideal transportation method for exploring Kasama, and the center…

(Bicycle) About 10 minutes

Crafthills Kasama

Kasama City is famous for its thriving pottery tradition throughout Japan. Crafthills Kasama is the ideal place to learn more about the city's pottery, see works by famed local potters, shop for souv…

(Bicycle) Strolling around Craft Hills Kasama

Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum

This museum was the first in eastern Japan that focused solely on the ceramic arts. Permanent exhibits include works by master Japanese ceramists such as Hazan Itaya and Kosei Matsui. The museum also…

(Bicycle) About 10 minutes

Kamameshi Harada

Harada is a restaurant serving kamameshi, made with fresh high-quality Ibaraki ingredients. This Japanese dish features rice, broth, and other ingredients cooked and served in a pot for one person…

(Bicycle) 3 minutes

Gallery Road

Gallery Road is a place where you can feel a deep connection between Kasama and artistic crafts. Shops handling Kasama-yaki recognized as a Japan Heritage, are lined up along Gallery Road, which s…

(Bicycle) Strolling

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 specia…

(Bicycle) 3 minutes

Kasama Ekimae Tourist Information Center, Rental Cycle

The center, located near Kasama Station, provides guidance to visitors while operating as a rental bicycle station. A bicycle is an ideal transportation method for exploring Kasama, and the center…

(Taxi) 5 minutes

Kappo Ryokan Shiroyama

Shiroyama, conveniently located near tourist attractions, is a kappo ryokan* renovated from a historic Japanese restaurant. The inn offers a traditional Japanese-style accommodation experience focuse…

Kappo Ryokan Shiroyama

(Taxi) 5 minutes

Kasama Azalea Park

Various types of azalea, totaling around 8,500, are planted in this park, which measures 7 hectares and is located on a hill. The best time to visit is from mid-April to early May when the hill is co…

(On foot) 9 minutes

Kasama Nichido Museum of Art

While Kasama is known for its beautiful ceramics, a few museums in the city also exhibit paintings and sculptures. Kasama Nichido Museum of Art opened in 1972 and is one of the foremost institutes. …

(On foot) 7 minutes

Tanukian Tsutaya

Tanukian Tsutaya, located by the approach to Kasama Inari Shrine, was established in 1876. The restaurant, frequented by locals and tourists, uses Hitachi Akisoba, an Ibaraki buckwheat brand, in maki…

(On foot) Immediate

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, kn…

(On foot) Immediate

Kasama Inari Art Museum

This museum is the place to learn about the rich history of Japanese pottery. Located on the grounds of Kasama Inari Shrine, the museum displays six styles of ancient pottery in the permanent exhi…

(Taxi) About 15 minutes

Sudo Honke Brewery

With a history spanning 870 years, Sudo Honke Brewery prides itself on using premium quality rice for its junmai daiginjo blend—the highest grade of sake. All of the rice used is grown locally in Kas…

(Taxi) About 5 minutes

Tomobe Station

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