Japan Guide
Around Tokyo
Mashiko
Some 30km south of Nikkō, the village of MASHIKO is home to a major pottery museum, numerous pottery shops and over three hundred working kilns spread out around the surrounding paddy fields. Mashiko-yaki, the distinctive country-style earthenware pottery, has been made in this area since the Nara period (710–84), although the village only achieved nationwide fame in the 1930s, when the potter and "living national treasure" Hamada Shōji (1894–1978) built a kiln here and promoted Mashiko-yaki pottery throughout Japan. Hamada's former residence has since been restored and relocated – along with his traditional-style kiln – to the impressive Tōgei Messe complex (daily except Wed: April– Oct 9.30am–5pm; Nov– March 9.30am–4pm; ¥500). The building contains a pottery studio where you can take lessons for around ¥1200 for two hours (bookings essential on 
0285/72-7555) and a museum featuring works by Hamada and Bernard Leach, the renowned English potter who lived in the village for a short time.