Kasama Pottery — Climbing Kiln Heritage

**Workshop recommendations:** Book a 2-hour wheel-throwing session (¥3,000) at Seitogama Ceramic Studio — the instructor speaks English and fires your finished piece for ¥1,500, shipped to Japan addresses or overseas (shipping extra). For serious potters, week-long residencies are available March–November (¥60,000 including lodging). **Climbing kiln firing:** The Himatsuri in late April is the only time the historic 11-chamber Nikko-gama kiln is publicly fired. The kiln is loaded over 3 days before the festival; firing begins at 6:00pm and lasts 14 hours. Watching stokers feed pinewood into 1200°C chambers while flames burst from chimney stacks is hypnotic. Arrive by 5:00pm to see the initial lighting ceremony. **Gallery route:** The 'Kasama Art Forest' walking trail connects 12 pottery studios and galleries over 3km through forested hills. Pick up the English map at Kasama Station — highlights include Tsukamoto Kanji (contemporary sculptural vessels), Kamoda Shoji Memorial (midcentury mingei master), and Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum (historical overview). **What to buy:** Functional teapots (kyusu) are Kasama's signature — prices start at ¥3,500 for student work, ¥8,000–15,000 for mid-career artists. The iron-rich clay retains heat well, making Kasama kyusu excellent for brewing sencha. Avoid the tourist souvenir shops near the station; buy directly from studios. **Combine with:** Kasama Inari Shrine (10-min walk from pottery district) is one of Japan's three great Inari shrines, with a dramatic vermilion gate approach through dense forest.