During our excursions in Tochigi prefecture last year, we visited Mashiko Pottery Fair. Held twice a year, this festival is a popular destination in Mashiko, which is well-known for its ceramics.
Many potters set up shop in the quiet town, and they show off their creations for you to purchase. Each year they hold it in the Spring and Fall.
Table of Contents
Mashiko Pottery Fair in Spring
By May, it was already quite warm, but the long walk from our parking spot to the main tents and shops wasn’t too bad.
If you’re prone to burning though, wear plenty of sunscreen, and consider sun protection like hats and parasols.
There were many locals and tourists in the area looking for ceramics, and there were a large variety of sellers.
Many sold typically tableware like cups, plates, bowls, and serving vessels, while others focused on fun objects.
Said objects span a wide variety from nameplate holders shaped like funky lil’ guys, ornaments for your potted plants, and more.
Mashiko Yaki
Mashiko is famous for its 益子焼, aka Mashiko ware. Because of the naturally occurring clay’s plasticity and high heat resistance, wonderful pieces can be made.
It has remained an important area for ceramics since the late 1850’s. Even now, Mashiko holds their pottery festival twice a year. People from all over Japan, and indeed the world, travel to see it.
The other thing Mashiko is well-known for are its huge tanuki statues. Which you’ll notice possess some large, er, assets.
Tanuki are creatures from Japanese folklore based on the real-life Japanese raccoon dog. They’re popular yokai which are often used in statues and art– often for humorous effect.
At first, some of the smaller statues seemed a little off-putting. But now I really want a little tanuki statue for my front porch!
Lunch at Cocoro
We stopped at Cocoro cafe for some coffee and a late lunch. But a word of caution – some restaurants close up remarkably early since Mashiko isn’t a big city.
They had already ran out of many of their food offerings by the time we got there – close to closing around 3 pm or so.
In the end, we made off with two interesting “bowls”, a small serving plate, two ceramic cups, a sugar jar, and a couple of cute little tchotchkes.
Mashiko Pottery Fair in Fall
This year, we visited in the Fall to pick up some more fun items. I got an adorable little mug with a blue glaze, while Ramón got some sleek plates and a little figurine.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous. The first week of November is usually the perfect balance of cool breezes and warming sun.
Instead of eating a full lunch, we snacked along the path. There were street vendors selling everything from yakisoba to coffee and crepes.
There are also many sellers who sell things like handmade earrings, clothes, antiques, and there was even someone holding a “garage sale”!
It’s a fun experience to look at all the goods while chatting with friends and vendors.
Access
If you drive, there are many parking lots, but they fill up fast. In 2023, we parked near Mashiko Station for free and trekked up to the main event.
You can also check their Vacan site for parking lot locations and space information. We arrived around 11am and almost all of the lots were full.
So this year, we parked at Tsukamoto, a pottery retailer and major kiln operator in Mashiko. They also hold pottery classes!
Parking there cost only ¥500, while closer parking lots were ¥1000. And it was only about a 5 minute walk from Tsukamoto before we started to see vendors. You could also wait for their complementary shuttle bus to the main plaza.
Of course the walk to the main area took around 20 minutes, but I actually preferred the smaller, less commercial vendors along the way. And you don’t even notice the time when you’re caught up in all of the lovely ceramics.
As for public transit, you can take the train from nearby Oyama City, or bus in from Utsunomiya. The Mashiko official site has more detailed instructions, but you can use any transit app you like.
Final Thoughts
If you visit Tochigi in the Spring or Fall, I definitely recommend checking out Mashiko Pottery Fair. In 2025, the Spring fair will be held from April 29-May 6.
It’s a fun event that supports local artisans, and brings their community together. Plus you get to go home with unique ceramics that bring joy to your house.
The beautiful countryside is a lovely area to spend some time in, especially if you have a car to get there. I’m already looking forward to visiting again next year.