Mashiko Pottery Market & Tochigi Highlights 2-Day Sightseeing Tour
- Arrive at the venue at 07:00 on the first day of the Mashiko Pottery Fair
- Stay at a hotel with a large public bath in Utsunomiya, the city of gyoza
- Enjoy a comfortable single room (choose between non-smoking or smoking)
- Tour the massive underground space of the Oya History Museum with a guide
- Stroll through the endless bamboo forest with a guide
- Lunch and shopping at the outlet mall!
- Be moved by the special autumn 'floor maple' viewing! *Peak autumn foliage typically occurs around mid-November
- Visit the 'Flower Fantasy' at Ashikaga Flower Park, certified as one of the 'Three Great Illuminations of Japan'!
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Product Info
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Usually, visiting these locations on a day trip would require two days. While the price is slightly higher, this new product makes it possible to see everything in one day by staying overnight, resulting in high customer satisfaction.
Held annually around Golden Week and November 3rd, the Mashiko Pottery Fair features about 50 permanent shops and over 800 tents. You can enjoy searching for your favorite treasures, from traditional Mashiko-yaki pottery to everyday cups, plates, and even art pieces. Autumn offers pleasant weather for strolling through Mashiko, enjoying local produce, specialties, and food. Choose between a 07:00 or 10:00 arrival at the venue! Plus, enjoy a full day of sightseeing the day before! The first day is a greedy, satisfying plan visiting the Oya History Museum, outlet mall, an endless bamboo forest, autumn 'floor maple', and illuminations combining light and flowers! Accommodation is in a single room in Utsunomiya City.
Mashiko-yaki, attracting global attention as pottery that fits into daily life. You are sure to find a piece you love!
The history of Mashiko-yaki is relatively new, dating back about 170 years to 1853, when potter Keizaburo Otsuka, who trained in Kasama-yaki (Ibaraki Prefecture), opened a kiln in Mashiko. Initially, it mainly produced everyday utensils based on Kasama-yaki techniques. From the Meiji to Taisho eras, demand grew both inside and outside Tochigi Prefecture for simple pottery needed for daily life, and it grew as a regional industry. Shoji Hamada, a central figure in the Mingei (folk craft) movement who found value in handmade daily items and pursued beauty, moved to Mashiko in 1930. Based on the Mingei philosophy that 'beauty exists in daily life,' Mashiko-yaki began to be appreciated for its artistic quality as well. Since the late Showa era, young artists have moved to Mashiko, increasing the number of unique and contemporary designs. Today, there are about 160 kilns and pottery shops, offering a wide range from everyday ware to art pieces. It is also appreciated overseas, and pottery experiences are popular. The clay around Mashiko is rich in iron, giving the finished product a unique flavor, with many simple and natural colors (beige, black, green, amber, etc.) perfect for daily use. Nowadays, there are more unique and modern designs by young artists, including pastel colors and matte textures, which are popular among young people and women. It is used as pottery that blends into daily life and enhances the food served on it.
Oya History Museum (Includes Japanese-speaking guide)
Wakatake no Mori Wakayama Farm (Includes Japanese-speaking guide)
Sano Premium Outlets (Self-guided lunch and shopping)
Kotoku-ji Temple (Self-guided)
Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination (Self-guided)
Stay in Utsunomiya: Located a 5-minute walk from Tobu-Utsunomiya Station. Stay in Utsunomiya, the city of gyoza. The Orion-dori Shopping Street, a 280m-long arcade established in 1948, is also within walking distance. It features a mix of traditional shops and the 'Yoichi Yokocho' indoor alley with 17 different eateries. With a bus departing at 10:00 the next day, you can fully enjoy Utsunomiya's nightlife until late.
One of Japan's leading pottery fairs, where one day is not enough to explore every shop. A chance that comes twice a year.
Purchase Notice
【Travel Conditions】
- Departure/Destination: Tokyo - Tochigi/Gunma
- Duration: 2 days and 1 night
- Transportation: Chartered bus
- Bus Operator: OTB Co., Ltd. or affiliated partner bus companies
- Meals: Breakfast 0, Lunch 0, Dinner 0
- Accommodation: Hotel Urban Grace Utsunomiya
- Minimum Participants: 25
- Tour Conductor: 1
- Guide: 0
【Travel Planning/Implementation】
- Company Name: Orion Tour Co., Ltd.
- Address: 3F Daiwa Higashi-Nihonbashi Building, 3-10-6 Higashi-Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku
- Registration Number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 692
- Affiliated Travel Association: JATA
Reminders
A minimum of 25 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 14 day(s) before the departure date
Please arrive at the designated location 20 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
The itinerary may be subject to change due to traffic congestion, inclement weather, etc.
Bus seats are assigned. Please note that advance seat selection is not available.
Local stay times or arrival times may be significantly altered due to traffic congestion, etc.
Meals are not provided. Please arrange your own meals.
The pottery fair is generally held even in the rain. Please be aware that you will need to walk with an umbrella.
FAQ
1. What popular pottery artists should visitors look for at the Mashiko Pottery Market?
The Mashiko Pottery Market is renowned for showcasing a wide array of Mashiko ware from numerous local and emerging artists. Visitors can explore various stalls, discover unique styles, and directly purchase items from individual potters. It's an excellent opportunity to find pieces ranging from traditional to contemporary designs, offering a unique shopping experience.
2. What are the main attractions included in a Tochigi sightseeing tour, such as Oya History Museum or Ashikaga Flower Park?
A comprehensive Tochigi sightseeing tour often includes highlights such as the Oya History Museum, where you can explore a massive underground quarry with a guide. Other key stops might include a serene stroll through a vast bamboo forest, an outlet mall for shopping and lunch, and the Ashikaga Flower Park, famous for its 'Garden of Illuminated Flowers,' a Japan Night View Heritage site.
3. When is the best season to visit Tochigi, especially for events like the Mashiko Pottery Market or autumn foliage viewing?
The autumn season is particularly recommended for visiting Tochigi. The Mashiko Pottery Market is a major highlight often held in spring and autumn. Additionally, mid-November is the ideal time to experience breathtaking autumn foliage, including special 'yuka momiji' (floor foliage) viewings, offering impressive natural beauty and a memorable visual experience during your trip.
4. Are attractions like the Oya History Museum or the bamboo forest accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
Exploring the Oya History Museum involves visiting a vast underground space, which typically includes walking and navigating varying terrain. Similarly, a guided walk through the bamboo forest involves strolling outdoors. For specific needs regarding limited mobility, it is advisable to consider the physical demands of these locations, which involve walking and potentially stairs, before visiting.
5. What is a recommended 1-night, 2-day itinerary for exploring Tochigi's highlights, including the Mashiko Pottery Market?
A recommended 1-night, 2-day itinerary could start with an early morning visit to the Mashiko Pottery Market to explore pottery. Day one might continue with a guided tour of the Oya History Museum and shopping at an outlet mall. After an overnight stay in Utsunomiya, day two could feature a serene walk in a bamboo forest and an evening visit to the Ashikaga Flower Park for its famous illuminations, concluding the trip with diverse experiences.
6. How is transportation managed for visiting multiple attractions like the Oya History Museum and Ashikaga Flower Park during a Tochigi tour?
For a multi-attraction tour in Tochigi, transportation is typically pre-arranged, starting from a designated meeting point like Shinjuku. A tour like this includes comfortable bus or coach travel to efficiently move between various sites such as the Oya History Museum, the bamboo forest, and Ashikaga Flower Park, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery without managing public transport.
7. What unique experiences, such as the Ashikaga Flower Park illuminations or autumn foliage viewing, are offered during a Tochigi sightseeing trip?
A Tochigi sightseeing trip offers several unique experiences. You can marvel at the 'Garden of Illuminated Flowers' at Ashikaga Flower Park, recognized as one of Japan's Top 3 Illuminations and a Japan Night View Heritage site. Additionally, experiencing the spectacular autumn 'yuka momiji,' or floor foliage, typically in mid-November, provides unforgettable natural beauty. A guided tour of the massive underground Oya History Museum is another distinct feature.
8. What kind of accommodation is typically provided for an overnight stay in Utsunomiya during a Tochigi tour?
For an overnight stay in Utsunomiya during a Tochigi tour, accommodations typically include a hotel in the 'Gyoza town' area. These hotels often provide amenities such as a large communal bath (大浴場) for guests to relax. Travelers can usually choose between single rooms that are either non-smoking or smoking, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay based on their preferences.
