Banko no Sato

The traditional craft "Banko-yaki" cultivated in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture — known for donabe and kyusu with excellent heat resistance and functionality — has supported Japanese dining tables. Banko no Sato Hall is a facility born to broadly share that history and culture, plus the activities of currently-active makers.

In the hall's exhibition room — Banko-yaki origins, techniques, and the transition of representative vessels are introduced with actual vessels and easy-to-understand explanation panels. In addition to the permanent exhibition — seasonal special exhibitions and solo and group exhibitions by local artists are also held — new discoveries each visit.

At the shop "Utsuwa-tei" — diverse Banko-yaki gathers: everyday donabe, rice pots, kyusu, artist-made vessels, flower vases, mosquito-coil pigs, and interior goods. With producing-region-unique selection and price ranges — of course for gifts, also an optimal sales floor for daily-use vessel selection.

At "Banko no Sato ONLINE SHOP" — while linking with the on-site shop — Banko-yaki vessels can be ordered from anywhere nationwide. Products are posted by category — donabe, heat-resistant pottery, tea ware, sake ware, tableware, flower vases, interior items, dolls, books — also developing feature pages and campaign projects matched to life scenes as needed.

Furthermore, including surrounding spots — the pottery experience workshop, dining "Aikawa," Banko Shrine enshrining Banko-yaki's guardian deity, and "BANKO archive design museum" introducing Banko-yaki from the design aspect — showing an expansion as an "area where Banko-yaki can be experienced whole."

An information-sharing base where "Banko-yaki past and present" can be understood at once

Banko no Sato Hall is a Banko-yaki information-sharing base opened in 1998. With a permanent exhibition room showing the journey of Banko-yaki from the Edo period to today, and an exhibition room hosting special and artist exhibitions — from historical masterpieces to the latest artist works, you can experience the wide appeal of Banko-yaki at once.

Producing-region-unique product selection. Shop "Utsuwa-tei" and ONLINE SHOP

At the shop "Utsuwa-tei" on the 2nd floor of the hall, producing-region-unique Banko-yaki lines up — donabe, kyusu, tableware, flower vases, mosquito-coil pigs, interior items. At the online "Banko no Sato ONLINE SHOP" — assembled from classic donabe and rice pots, kyusu, to artist-made vessels, and seasonal project products — delivering vessels nationwide from "the town of Banko-yaki" Yokkaichi and Komono.

"The fun of making" through pottery and painting experiences

At the in-hall pottery workshop, pottery experiences are possible — hand-building, electric wheel, painting, hand-carving. You can finish tea cups, plates, mosquito-coil pigs, and donabe to your own liking — and the fired works arrive at home later. A program popular for family leisure and school/group study trips.

Seasonal lunch and sweets enjoyed with Banko-yaki vessels at "Aikawa"

On the 2nd floor of the hall, "Aikawa" offers seasonal lunch and handmade sweets hosted with Banko-yaki vessels. Daily lunch, Yokkaichi mazemen, and reservation-only kaiseki course — you can enjoy the combination of local ingredients with Banko-yaki vessels.

A central area for events like "Yokkaichi Banko-yaki Pottery Festival"

At the "Yokkaichi Banko-yaki Pottery Festival" held annually in May — with Banko no Sato Hall and Yokkaichi Dome as venues — many kilns, artists, and dealers gather. Banko-yaki vessels can be purchased at reasonable prices — plus experience corners and dining booths are available — a major event enjoyable for Banko-yaki fans of course, and for family gatherings.