• トップページ
  • 草の頭窯とは
    • 美濃焼とは
    • 作品紹介 >
      • 青山健祐作品
      • 青山双溪作品
      • 青山禮三作品
    • 作家の紹介 >
      • 青山健祐 陶歴
      • 青山双溪 陶歴 >
        • 双溪の書き物
      • 青山禮三 陶歴
    • エッセイ >
      • 粘り強い探究心を持って
      • 古い時代のネットワーク
    • 陶器3dモデルの見方
  • 作品シアター
    • 3Dギャラリー
    • 3Dサンプルの見方
    • 作品ギャラリー
  • 過去のイベント
  • アクセス
  • English
    • Pottery Retreat >
      • Instructors
      • Retreat Overview >
        • Kiseto Programme
        • Hikidashi-guro Programme
        • Ko-sometsuke
        • Ash glaze
        • Anagama Special
        • Natural glaze
        • FAQ
      • Guest Rooms
      • Participant Gallery
      • 3D Gallery
      • Explore the pottery town
      • Preliminary booking
      • Buy a course
      • PayPal Payment
    • The Artisans >
      • Kensuke Aoyama
      • Sokei Aoyama
      • Reizo Aoyama
    • The Works >
      • Works by Kensuke Aoyama
      • Works by potter Sokei Aoyama
      • Works by Reizo Aoyama
    • Mino ware pottery
    • Essays >
      • In Stubborn Pursuit
      • The Ancient Web
    • Visit Us
    • Links and articles
    • Contact
  • リンク
  • メディアコーナー
  草の頭窯

explore the pottery town

In the middle of Honshu, Japan's main island, is the town of Tajimi, which is neither too huge nor too little. It is located in Gifu Prefecture. After a half-hour train ride from the East Coast metropolis of Nagoya, what you see as you step out of the station doesn't appear too different from many other villages in the countryside of Japan. It appears to be somewhat uninteresting, if you will.

But if you linger and look, you'll find treasure after treasure. An abrupt change in scenery occurs when you ascend a short hill and find yourself before a grand Zen temple, encircled by tranquil gardens and ponds.

Try zen meditation

The town of Tajimi is situated in Japan's biggest ceramic production area and is known mostly as a pottery town. Pottery has an unexpectedly strong relationship to Zen Buddhism. On this site, you can find an essay that discusses that historical connection.
360 degree view of the Eihoji Zen temple which is located in walking distance from the Kusanokashira kiln.

Our kiln has a close connection to the Eihoji temple, and we invite you to try zen meditation there if you are interested. Please inquire for more information.

A wealth of information

​Rest assured, this town will not be overrun by tourists. Hike up a neighbouring hill and drop by a pottery studio; Tajimi takes great pleasure in its ceramics. An ancient kiln, tucked away in the foliage, can be found a little farther down the road, in the forest on the left side of the road. In these hills, pottery has been made for a thousand years in kilns like that.
In recent years, the Tajimi Tourist Association has amassed an extensive collection of writings covering various aspects of our city, including its history, festivals, cuisine, ceramics, and more. Among Japanese pottery towns, we think this one has the most English-language articles. Feel free to peruse the archive of articles at your leisure.

A hub for further excursions

One of the best things about Tajimi is its convenient location for travel to other places of interest in the region.

Let's explore some captivating destinations in Gifu and Aichi Prefectures:

  1. Shirakawago Village: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shirakawago is famous for its iconic Gassho-style houses. These steeply thatched-roof structures offer a glimpse into Japan's rural architectural history. Explore this picturesque village and capture its timeless beauty.

  2. Takayama City: Known as "Little Kyoto," Takayama boasts beautifully preserved streets, traditional wooden houses, and a vibrant morning market. Don't miss the Old Town (Sanmachi Suji) and the Takayama Jinya, a historic government office.

  3. Gujohojiman City: Gujo Hachiman is renowned for its pristine waterways and charming streets. Stroll along the Hachiman Castle and experience the town's unique water lantern festival during summer.

  4. Inuyama Castle: Located in Aichi Prefecture, Inuyama Castle is the oldest surviving castle in Japan. Its yamajiro-style architecture overlooks the Kiso River, bordering Aichi and Gifu Prefectures. The tenshu (main tower) is designated as a National Treasure, dating back to the late 1580s. Explore its rich history and enjoy panoramic views.

  5. Nakasendo Historic Highway: Step back in time along this ancient route that once connected Edo (Tokyo) with Kyoto during the Edo period. The Kiso Road, part of Nakasendo, winds through lush green forests, crystal-clear streams, and remote rural villages. Walk the well-preserved section from Magome-juku (Gifu Prefecture) to Tsumago-juku (Nagano Prefecture) and immerse yourself in samurai-era landscapes.

Remember to immerse yourself in the rich culture, architecture, and natural beauty of these enchanting destinations!

Sources

(1) Inuyama Castle - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuyama_Castle. (2) [Hidden Wonders of Japan] Inuyama Castle: A National Treasure From the .... https://japan-forward.com/hidden-wonders-of-japan-inuyama-castle-a-national-treasure-from-the-16th-century/. (3) Inuyama Castle. https://www.e-map.ne.jp/p/yamato01/shop_dtl.htm?kid=056091. (4) Walking the Historic Nakasendo Samurai Trail - japan-guide.com. https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/nakasendo/. (5) Nakasendo 中山道 - Travel Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization. https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1367/. (6) Inuyama Castle | Highlights of sightseeing | History explained in an .... https://www.tabi-samurai-japan.com/en/area/chubu/aichi/inuyama/. (7) Nakasendō - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakasend%C5%8D. (8) Nakasendo – a highway since Edo period | VISIT GIFU. https://visitgifu.com/see-do/ancient-nakasendo-highway/.

アクセス Location

問い合わせ Mail form

  • トップページ
  • 草の頭窯とは
    • 美濃焼とは
    • 作品紹介 >
      • 青山健祐作品
      • 青山双溪作品
      • 青山禮三作品
    • 作家の紹介 >
      • 青山健祐 陶歴
      • 青山双溪 陶歴 >
        • 双溪の書き物
      • 青山禮三 陶歴
    • エッセイ >
      • 粘り強い探究心を持って
      • 古い時代のネットワーク
    • 陶器3dモデルの見方
  • 作品シアター
    • 3Dギャラリー
    • 3Dサンプルの見方
    • 作品ギャラリー
  • 過去のイベント
  • アクセス
  • English
    • Pottery Retreat >
      • Instructors
      • Retreat Overview >
        • Kiseto Programme
        • Hikidashi-guro Programme
        • Ko-sometsuke
        • Ash glaze
        • Anagama Special
        • Natural glaze
        • FAQ
      • Guest Rooms
      • Participant Gallery
      • 3D Gallery
      • Explore the pottery town
      • Preliminary booking
      • Buy a course
      • PayPal Payment
    • The Artisans >
      • Kensuke Aoyama
      • Sokei Aoyama
      • Reizo Aoyama
    • The Works >
      • Works by Kensuke Aoyama
      • Works by potter Sokei Aoyama
      • Works by Reizo Aoyama
    • Mino ware pottery
    • Essays >
      • In Stubborn Pursuit
      • The Ancient Web
    • Visit Us
    • Links and articles
    • Contact
  • リンク
  • メディアコーナー