November 8th - 21st, 2026 "The six ancient kilns of Japan!"

Leave you home airport for Japan. Most flights from the US will arrive the next day due to the time change. 

Arrive at Kansai Airport in Osaka. Walk to hotel located at the airport, check in and rest after a long flight. Tour will begin the next day.

See the famous Japanese knives being made by hand! Tour the Rikyu Museum and learn about tea ceremonies and enjoy one too!. See the gorgeous Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine. Travel to Nagoya where we'll take day trips.

Day trip to Tajimi from Nagoya today. See potters at work at the Aoyama Studio above,(hikidashi there)., tour the Mino Ceramic Art Museum and enjoy the Ceramic Park Mino. 

See Shingo Takeuchi's beautiful sculptures at his studio. Tour the Setogura Museum, Blue and White ceramics museum, the Maneki-neko shop, and a tool and paint brush shop.

Go to the INAX Museums and learn about the history of toilets, pipes, and teapots! Step inside a firing kiln (pretend) at the Tokoname Tou no Mori Museum . Walk the pottery path.

Visit the Furaigama studio in Echizen and enjoy a demonstration. See the Echizen Old Kiln Museum and the Fukui Prefectural Museum. Shop for pots at the Echizen Co-op.

Enjoy a rest this morning after many busy days! Or walk around the beautiful nearby temples.  In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a hands-on workshop. 

Tour of Kyoto today. See the  incredible Kiyo-mizudera Temple, visit the Kyoto Ceramics Center and the Robert Yellin Ceramics gallery. We'll take day trips from Kyoto.

Visit the studios and homes of three different Shigaraki potters. See their kilns and styles. We'll also go to the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Center, see studios and museums.

Another great day in Kyoto, touring the gorgeous Golden Pavilion,learn about the original Raku process at  the Raku Museum, and enjoy a fun basket making workshop!

Visit two family studios, the Shoyo-gama (above) and the Toshihiko-gama. We'll also go to the Hyogo Museum of Ceramic Art and enjoy lunch at the Sue-no-Sato Ceramic Park.

Visit the Furaigama studio in Echizen and enjoy a demonstration. See the Echizen Old Kiln Museum and the Fukui Prefectural Museum. Shop for pots at the Echizen Co-op.

In the morning, we'll do some shopping at the Toji market, which is held on the grounds of the Toji Temple. Leave Japan in the afternoon or stay longer on your own. 

You'll cherish the memories of your trip of a lifetime in Japan! Take some downtime if possible to get over the jet-lag. November is a great time to enjoy Japan!