We are the type of people who like to make things ourselves. Also if we are going to have things, we want to have things that we love. So last month, we went to a pottery studio to make our own cups or plates.
The name of this pottery studio is “Kimino Sachi Kobo”. It located in Kimino-cho (cho means town), a peaceful and beautiful inaka town in Wakayama Prefecture surrounded by mountains on all sides.
I chose that studio in the first place simply because of the good reviews on Google. First I asked a friend who was accompanying us about what she thinks for this place. Then she commented that she had been there before and the experience there was wonderful (even though she lives in Osaka and is terribly far away from this studio)! So, why not?
How the tableware are made by clay
We made a reservation through “Jalan” for this our first pottery experience. Jalan is the booking site which is very popular in Japan for any accommodations or these kind of experience tours.
When we entered the studio, there were already a clump of clay wrapped in plastic wrap on the table for the number of us.
First, using a stick with a thread (like a floss!), cut the clay into pieces of the appropriate size. Then place the clay on a rounded ball and poke a hole in it with your thumb.
It looks easy, but for us first-timers, it is quite difficult! A Sensei (sensei is teacher in Japanese. Sensei here was a really nice person and he was very friendly) who works at the studio there taught us carefully as we did it together.
After spending quite a bit of time, a cup-like shape was finally formed.
It took more than 1 hour for me to make this shape!
We spent a full two hours with the Sensei, learning detailed techniques of pottery making, and ended up making some tableware (?).
Thus ended our first pottery-making experience. The finished pieces were left to dry for a while, and then the Sensei would fire them in a pot afterwards. We left the studio with a promise to come back for more coloring when the firing was finished.
Recommended for those who already enjoyed the touristic place!?
It cost 3,000 yen per person/ 2hours ( at the time of 2024 October) for this experience. We really enjoyed the time there and love to visit soon!
It is located in the middle of Kimino-cho, which is an undeveloped area for the most international tourist. However it is also only an hour and a half away from Osaka by rental car. If you already enjoyed to be the place that overflowing with people such as Osaka, Kyoto, or Tokyo, this might be an interesting place to visit!
*I’m not sure if this place are available with English or other language lessons so I recommend to contact them before visiting.
You can check the owner’s X from below.