"I can make any shape I want? Then I'll make a dinosaur bowl!"
What gives your child the freedom to bring such imaginative ideas to life is the greatest appeal of "Kasama-yaki."
About an hour and a half from Tokyo by car. Kasama City in Ibaraki Prefecture is one of the leading pottery towns in the Kanto region, alongside Mashiko in Tochigi. Kasama-yaki, known for being so free it's said to have "no defining characteristic as its defining characteristic," is the perfect experience to stimulate children's imagination and creative thinking.
What's more wonderful about Kasama is that right next to the pottery studios, there's "an enormous park and museum that you can't fully enjoy in a single day."
In this article, we introduce a perfect day-trip plan pairing family-friendly studios — including the long-established "Hisa Pottery" — with a nearby park where you can play freely after the experience.
Tips for Enjoying Kasama Pottery & the Park as a Family (30 seconds)
- Praise "free thinking": There are no rules in Kasama-yaki. Any wild shape your child creates is a perfect answer!
- Short nails / trousers / tied-up hair — the three essentials: (The basics of pottery)
- Bring a "hip sled" for the park: A must-have to protect your bottom on the 160-meter giant roller slide!
- Bring extra changes of clothes: Muddy from pottery + sweaty from the park means the spare clothes will definitely come in handy
- Plan to stay at least half a day: The experience (90 min) + the park (120+ min) fills a whole day
* Duration, age requirements, etc. vary depending on the experience content. Please follow the guidance given at the time of booking.
1. [Before You Go] Pottery Basics + "Park Play Items"
An outing to Kasama is a hybrid of "indoors (pottery) and outdoors (the park)." Here's a preparation list for making the most of both.
The Three Rules for Pottery (a Quick Review)
- ① Cut your nails short beforehand (A must-check the night before you leave!)
- ② Trousers are safer than skirts (You'll be straddling the wheel and leaning forward)
- ③ Tie your hair up (To keep it from getting wet with clay and water)
Kasama-Specific Packing List
- ✅ A hip sled (plastic board for grass sliding): A star item on the roller slide in the Art Forest Park!
- ✅ A picnic sheet / pop-up tent: Useful for eating a packed lunch on the wide lawn.
- ✅ Extra changes of clothes & towels (pack generously): After getting dirty at pottery, you'll get sweaty at the park too.
- ✅ Hand towel & wet wipes: Essential after washing hands.
2. [Background Knowledge] "No Characteristic as Its Characteristic"? Understanding the Freedom of Kasama-yaki
Since you're visiting the producing region, learning a little about the history of Kasama-yaki will make the creating process even more enjoyable.
Any shape, any color — they're all "correct"
Japanese pottery often has traditional rules around "this region uses this pattern and this shape."
However, Kasama-yaki has a history of attracting young artists from across the country after the war, leading to the development of a "free style unconstrained by tradition."
The culture here, described as "no characteristic as its characteristic," respects the individuality of the maker.
That's why it's perfectly fine in Kasama-yaki if a child makes a star shape, adds an animal face, or chooses a splash of color — everything is a "correct" expression of Kasama-yaki!
3. "Hand-Building" vs "Potter's Wheel" — Which Is Right by Age?
The two main pottery experience courses. Choose based on your child's age and what they want to do.
| Item | Hand-Building (Tebineri) | Potter's Wheel (Electric) |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended age (approximate) | 3 years and up (feels like clay play) | Mid-elementary school age and up (requires concentration) |
| Shapes you can make | Maximum freedom (This is the one to make the most of Kasama-yaki's free spirit!) |
Basically circular (For children who want to make a perfectly round bowl) |
| Duration (approximate) | 60 to 90 minutes | 60 to 90 minutes |
| Best for | Young children / want to make animal shapes / the whole family having fun together | "I want to try that thing I saw on TV" / want to make a proper vessel |
* To truly unleash the "free spirit" of Kasama-yaki, "hand-building" is overwhelmingly recommended!
4. [Ibaraki - Kasama] Top 3 Family-Friendly Pottery Studios (with Map)
Kasama has many kilns, but here we've carefully selected spots that are "safe and enjoyable for families" and "well-located for getting to the nearby park."
* The pins on the map indicate spots introduced in this article. Prices, age requirements, and delivery times may vary by season.
① Hisa Pottery (Kasama City) | When in doubt, start here — trusted, with over 150 years of history!
One of the largest kilns in the area, with over 150 years of history in Kasama.
The vast grounds and spacious studio mean families can take their time and enjoy the experience without worrying about others. Browsing the adjacent gallery for your favorite vessel is also a lovely way to spend time.
👨👩👧👦 Family Checklist
- Space: One of the largest facilities in the area — easy to move around with a stroller or with children
- Support: A large number of staff, with thorough support for beginners
- While you're there: You can view a giant climbing kiln (noborigama)!
Basic Information (approximate)
- Experiences: Hand-building / potter's wheel / painting
- Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
- Price range: Hand-building from ¥1,650 (includes 500g clay and firing cost), etc.
- Reservation: Advance reservation recommended (walk-in spots available)
② Kasama Craft Hills | Easily experience right in the heart of the park
A comprehensive facility located within the grounds of the "Kasama Art Forest Park" introduced next.
The unbeatable accessibility — you can drop in while visiting the park — is its greatest strength. The facilities are new and clean, with a cafe attached, making it an excellent rest spot for mom and dad too.
👨👩👧👦 Family Checklist
- Location: Directly connected to the park! Pop in before or after playing
- Facilities: Barrier-free design with very clean restrooms
- Ease: Easy to join without a reservation as a walk-in (depending on crowds)
Basic Information (approximate)
- Experiences: Hand-building / potter's wheel / painting
- Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
- Price range: Hand-building from ¥2,800 / Wheel from ¥4,800 (includes firing cost)
- Reservation: Mainly walk-in (wheel recommended with reservation)
③ Ohtsu Ko Kiln (Kasama City) | The authentic atmosphere of a real studio
A kiln blending tradition dating back to the Edo period with a fresh modern sensibility.
With a spacious pottery classroom that can accommodate over 200 people at once, the staff patiently teach you how to work with clay. The wide variety of glazes (colors) available means a highly satisfying finished piece.
👨👩👧👦 Family Checklist
- Instruction: Praised in reviews for being kind and easy to understand
- Parking: Spacious and easy to park (great for families driving)
- Shopping: Well-stocked souvenir gallery attached
Basic Information (approximate)
- Experiences: Hand-building / potter's wheel / painting
- Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
- Price range: Hand-building from ¥1,800 / Wheel from ¥3,500 (includes firing cost)
- Reservation: Advance reservation recommended
☕ Bring the Feel of Pottery Home! Warm Vessels for Your Table & Oven Clay Kits
For those who can't make it to Kasama but want the warmth of Japanese pottery on their table! Here we introduce beautiful Kasama-yaki mugs and plates available online. And the "oven-fired pottery kit" is hugely popular with children for summer school projects and indoor play!
5. [Model Course] Pottery & Giant Park! A Day-Trip Schedule
The classic plan for getting the best of both pottery and the park, driving from central Tokyo via the Joban Expressway.
- 08:30 | Depart from central Tokyo (about 1.5 hours via the Joban Expressway "Tomobe JCT")
- 10:00 | Arrive in Kasama. Start with the pottery experience!
(The trick is to get the experience done in the morning when children's concentration is at its peak) - 12:00 | Lunchtime
(Enjoy the local Kasama inari sushi or Hitachi aki soba) - 13:30 | Head to "Kasama Art Forest Park"!
(Kids on the giant slide at Asobi no Mori. Adults take turns visiting the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum) - 16:00 | Load the tired children into the car and head home
6. What to Do After the Experience! Nearby Lunch & Park Information
Kasama Art Forest Park (Asobi no Mori)
After pottery, this vast park is an absolute sure bet.
The "Asobi no Mori" (Forest of Play) area features a massive roller slide at 161 meters long and a giant inflatable trampoline dome, among other huge playground structures that will send children into absolute ecstasy. (Note: the roller slide will hurt your bottom — bring a "hip sled" you can get from a 100-yen shop!)
Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum
East Japan's first ceramic art museum dedicated exclusively to pottery, located within the Art Forest Park grounds.
With works ranging from Living National Treasure artists to contemporary pop pieces, it's the ideal setup — while the children play on the equipment, mom and dad can take turns quietly enjoying art.
7. No Worries Even When You're Worn Out! Recommended Nearby Accommodations
The combination of pottery and the "giant park" in Kasama will drain both children and adults of more energy than you'd expect (laughs). For families thinking "the drive home is going to be rough..." or "we're already here — let's explore Ibaraki more!", a one-night stay in the nearby area is highly recommended.
🌊 Oarai Area (about 40 minutes from Kasama by car. The aquarium awaits the next day!)
Oarai Hotel
A seaside resort hotel with the Pacific Ocean spread right out in front — overwhelmingly popular with families.
The signature "seafood buffet" with crab, sashimi, steak and more is all-you-can-eat, thrilling both adults and children! Then the next day, head to "AquaWorld Ibaraki Prefecture Oarai Aquarium," the largest aquarium in the Kanto region, completing the ultimate two-day Ibaraki golden itinerary.
🏙 Mito Area (right next to Kasama — clean, convenient hotel stay)
Mito Plaza Hotel
A high-quality hotel set among greenery, easily reachable by car from the Kasama area.
Also called "Ibaraki's State Guesthouse," the classic, spacious interior is the perfect antidote to exhaustion after a day of playing in the mud. With spacious rooms and services like loaned bed guards, even families with small children can enjoy a graceful stay.
8. [After It Arrives] First Steps to Care for Your Piece So It Lasts
The joy of a pottery experience arrives months later, when you've almost forgotten about it — that's the delight of it.
When your fired Kasama-yaki arrives, just remember these basics.
The First 3 Steps
- Give it a gentle rinse first (to wash off dust and packaging residue)
- Let it dry completely (make sure the bottom dries too)
- Start with "low-moisture foods" first (then work up to everyday use)
Good to know (approximate guidance)
- Avoid sudden cooling or heating: Plunging a hot vessel into cold water can cause cracking
- Microwave / dishwasher: Follow the guidance from the vessel, glaze, and studio (if unsure, err on the side of caution)
- Unwanted smells or color transfer: Thorough drying before and after use, and prompt washing, help minimize these
* How to handle your piece depends on the clay, glaze, and firing conditions. Always prioritize the instructions included with the delivery and guidance from the studio.
🍴 Don't Scratch Your Pottery! A Perfect Pairing: "Wooden Cutlery"
Your precious Kasama-yaki — whether you made it or bought it. Ceramic vessels with the warmth of clay can get scratched by the sound of metal spoons and forks clattering, and may develop black lines (metal marks) on the surface. To use your Japanese pottery gently for a long time, pairing it with smooth "Japanese wooden cutlery" is absolutely recommended!
Conclusion: Give Your Free Ideas a Physical "Form"
Even if it's a little lopsided, even if the shape is unusual — that is the one-of-a-kind Kasama-yaki piece packed with the sensibility of a child in that particular moment.
When the piece arrives months later and you eat with it, memories of that wonderful trip come flooding back — "that park slide was so long, wasn't it!" and "our hands were completely covered in mud."
Why not cut your nails short, put on clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and head to Kasama — the "forest of art and play" — this coming holiday?
Touching clay and running freely through a park is the perfect detox for the whole family.