Seto City in Aichi Prefecture is the city where the word "Setomono" (pottery) originated, and is a production area that has been producing pottery for over a thousand years.
It has also been recognized as one of the "Six Ancient Kilns of Japan" and is a Japanese Heritage Site.
The reason why it is a pottery production area is because of the high-quality clay that can be mined. Depending on the blend of clay, it is possible to make both earthenware and porcelain, and not only tableware but also dolls, insulators, building materials, and anything else that is desired.
In Seto, you can enjoy a trip that is unique to this production area from various angles. This time, we would like to introduce you to a day trip by car, focusing on the traditional craft, "Seto Sometsuke ware"!
We went to the gallery shop of Shingama, a blue and white porcelain kiln founded in 1919.
The blue and white porcelain kiln "Shin Kama" is located in Shinano, an area of Seto City that is surrounded by nature. The surrounding area is surrounded by mountains, and you can hear the chirping of birds.
Founded in 1919, this is one of the most popular potteries in Seto , and continues to produce "Seto Sometsuke ware" by starting with a pure white base and painting it with gosu (cobalt blue and white). Run by a family, the fourth-generation owner, Mayuki Kato, is currently the youngest traditional Seto Sometsuke ware craftsman.
There is a gallery right next to the workshop, and when you enter the shop, you will see the artisans. With a wide range of items, from tableware and vases to accessories, it is a must-see for artisans.
Shin Kiln
Address: 330 Nakashinanocho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
Closed: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Business hours: 10:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
Access: Exit the Tokaido Loop Road at Seto Shinano Interchange, turn left at the traffic light and go about 500m.
[Bus] From the Seto Station bus stop in the rotary at Owari Seto Station, take the bus bound for Shinano Bus Center via Furuseto (1H) or Kamishinano via Furuseto (2H) . Get off at the Shinano bus stop and walk for about 5 minutes.
Parking: Available
The adjacent baked goods shop "BAKESHOP mitten"
Within the Shingama premises is BAKESHOP mitten, a takeaway baked goods shop run by Mayuki's sister. They have a wide selection of adorable and heart-warming baked goods, and their shortbread is especially recommended.
There will also be "Shin Kama" items exclusive to "mitten" that will make snack time more enjoyable, so be sure not to miss them.
BAKESHOP mitten
Address: 330 Nakashinanocho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Business hours: 12:00 - 17:00
Learn about Seto Sometsuke ware and try painting it at the Seto Sometsuke Crafts Museum.
About an eight-minute drive from Shingama, you'll find the Seto Sometsuke Crafts Museum in the center of Seto City. This facility is themed around Seto Sometsuke, and on the second floor you can learn how Seto Sometsuke is made, as well as see exhibits of historical masterpieces.
This building is a restored moro (fine work) of Kotoen Chikuho Kiln, a pottery maker that has been producing Seto sometsuke porcelain since the Edo period, and the old kiln still remains. Tours are free.
On the first floor, you can try out sometsuke (blue and white porcelain) making, which is a great deal. However, it takes several months to complete the work, as it involves firing the pieces in a kiln.
You can observe the trainees making pottery. It seems that they are welcoming you to come and see how they are making pottery. When I visited, the artist spoke to me.
Seto Sometsuke Crafts Museum
Address: 98 Nishigocho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
Closed: Tuesdays
Business hours: 10:00 - 17:00
*Reservations are required for pottery experiences.
The former residence of Kawamoto Masukichi, a world-renowned blue and white porcelain potter. To "Masukichi"
"Masukichi" is a complex of old houses that we opened as accommodation facilities in 2018, with the aim of becoming a "base for traveling around Seto, a pottery producing region." It also houses a cafe and souvenir shop.
This building was the residence of Kawamoto Masukichi, a potter at a leading kiln in Seto who produced blue and white porcelain from the end of the Edo period through the Meiji period.
Masukichi's works were exhibited at the Vienna World's Fair and the Paris World's Fair, the first time Japan participated as a government, and won bronze medals. The surviving pieces are so valuable that they are stored in the Setogura Museum , located a five-minute walk away.
In the souvenir corner of Masukichi, you can enjoy face-in panels by the maneki-neko artist Anayama Fumika, who paints them in blue and white, and we also sell Seto blue and white ware, the pottery that is the origin of Seto blue and white ware.
Horse-eye plate from Seto Hongyo Kiln.
We can also show you around the building before you check in. Please take your time to relax in this space where Masukichi lived with his apprentice.
Masukichi -hostel cafe souvenir guide-
22 Nakakiricho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
Hours: Monday to Thursday 5pm to 9pm, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 1pm to 9pm Closed: None
How was it?
Seto offers a pottery journey that can be enjoyed from a variety of angles. Be sure to check the holidays and opening hours before planning your trip.
