【OUTLINE】

A private tour to explore the charm of "Aizu Hongo: The Village of Ceramics." By visiting traditional kilns and innovative local businesses, you will connect with the artisans and deeply immerse yourself in the rich "handicraft culture" (Teshigoto) of the Aizu region.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Exclusive Studio Visits: Visit both pottery and porcelain kilns for a rare look inside private workshops that are usually closed to the public. Observe the intricate process of creating ceramics up close.
• Tohoku's Oldest Climbing Kiln: Gain special access to the historic "Noborigama" (climbing kiln), the oldest of its kind in Northeast Japan.
• The Spirit of Hongo-yaki: Connect with the local artisans and discover the passion and philosophy behind the unique traditions of Hongo-yaki passed down through generations.

【DETAILS】

● At the Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall, you will uncover the 420-year history of a rare production center where both pottery and porcelain uniquely coexist. Learn about the local spirit of Hongo, which has long cherished an "unconventional" approach to craftsmanship. This introduction sets the stage, allowing you to feel how the entire town breathes as a single, living workshop.

● In Hongo, kilns with distinct personalities are scattered just a few minutes' walk from one another. Although they coexist within the same small town, each studio reveals a completely different world—from the precise hand movements of the artisans and the unique textures of the clay to the varied expressions of the glazes and the meticulous temperature control of the kilns. Through personal conversations with the creators, you will connect deeply with the passion and philosophy infused into every piece of work.

●This walk takes you through the living history of the town, featuring an active climbing kiln built in the mid-Edo period and the ruins of waterwheels once used to crush pottery stone. As you wander, you will notice "Jarankake" (ceramic shards) scattered throughout the streets—small fragments of history that remain part of daily life. By tracing these traces of an era when ceramics and lifestyle were one, you will truly feel how this land itself has nurtured the culture of craftsmanship over the centuries.

●Discover the innovative future of craftsmanship by visiting an artisan who breathes new life into fragments of Hongo-yaki found throughout the town. Using the traditional technique of Kintsugi, these broken pieces are reborn as elegant accessories. This visit offers a profound moment to reflect on the themes of tradition and renewal, allowing you to glimpse the inspiring future of handmade culture.

Important Notices
Please understand that visiting all of the mentioned kilns is not always possible, as access depends on the artisans' schedules and availability on the day. Additionally, the tour may be unavoidably cancelled due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

【PRICES】

53,000 yen (tax included)  per group

【SCHEDULE】

●Standard Plan
[12:00] Meet and check in at Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall
[12:05] Tour of Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall＜Transfer on foot＞
[12:40] Visit to the first kiln (Pottery or Porcelain)＜Transfer on foot＞
[13:30] Visit to the second kiln (Pottery or Porcelain)＜Transfer on foot＞
[14:50] Guided walking tour through the historic streets of Aizu Hongo
[15:50] Visit to tesoro. accessory＜Transfer on foot＞
[16:00] Shopping and break at Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall
[16:30] End of tour at Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall 

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：4 hours 30 minutes
• Minimum number of participants：1 person (maximum 8 people)
• Meeting point：Aizu Hongo Ceramic Hall [MAP]
  3162 Setomachi, Aizumisato machi, Onuma gun, Fukushima, 969-6042
  
• Access：
  By Car: The venue is approximately a 25-minute drive from the Aizuwakamatsu Interchange (IC) on the Ban-etsu Expressway, or a 20-minute drive from the Niitsuru Smart Interchange (IC).
  By Train: It is about a 20-minute walk from Aizu-Hongo Station on the JR Tadami Line.     
• Tour conductor for 24 hours：No
• Accompanying National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter or Local Licensed Guide Interpreter：Yes
• Language support：Japanese, English, Spanish
• Meals (included in a tour fee)：No
  
• Included：
  ・Guide Fee
  ・Admission fees for two pottery studios and Tesoro
• Excluded：
  ・Round-trip transportation to the venue
  ・Personal expenses for souvenirs, food, and drinks.
• Clothes：Comfortable clothes and shoes
  
• Participation requirements：Ages 6 years and older
  
• Special support：Please consult with us in advance if you have any food allergies.
  
• Free Wi-Fi：No
• Toilet：Yes (Japanese-style / Western-style) 
• Other things to note：
  ・This plan is for participants aged 6 and older.
  ・In the event that the tour cannot be held due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, the tour operator will notify you via email by 3:00 PM the day before the scheduled date. 
  ・If the tour is unavoidably cancelled due to weather, a full refund will be issued to the customer.

【TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL】

Before booking the tour, please review and save the Terms and Conditions of Travel.

Check [TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL]（Japanese）

【TOUR PLANNER AND CONDUCTOR】

Regional Branding Institute Co., Ltd.
Aqua Terrace UⅡ Bldg. 8F, 2-20-3 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0034
Travel Agency registered with a Tokyo Governor 2-7547
A regular member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association

【CANCELLATION POLICY】