Asahiyaki shop & gallery — Local services in Uji

We reserved the one-day Pottery Wheel Experience class, with NO actual pottery experience and NO Japanese language ability. There are other courses, like a multi-day course and free-style pottery. Our instructor explained and demonstrated everything so clearly, and remained cheerful despite our many questions and mistakes! You can make up to three pieces per person; they'll glaze, fire, and ship whichever of the three pieces you like best. It is worth every penny for one of our favourite unique and memorable experiences while traveling. The use of local Uji clay, the typical glaze, and the fact that you're learning something from a studio with centuries of history and tradition is absolutely priceless. And to our beginner eyes, we love how our pieces turned out (they did repair a small part of the base for us). The location of the pottery studio and kiln is further down the street from the gallery and shop shown here on Google maps, but they called our instructor from the studio to pick us up in the shop/gallery. Be sure to have enough time to browse the gallery and sit outside to enjoy the peace, light, and...

Came here on a rainy day when there were few visitors. An old lady welcomed me to the shop. She was very nice, she walked me around, told me about the family business, and how his son is now doing the business. She showed me a booklet from thirty years ago which had a description and amazing photos of the pottery being made, and some very interesting thoughts from the older generation of artisans on the art of making teaware and drinking tea. Honestly, I did not go there with intention to buy anything, but I was so moved by the gallery and the spirit of Uji, that I wanted some memomaribilia that will stay with me for decades to come. After careful consideration, I got some tea cups with a very simple design, natural colours only, depicting a mountain and a pair of bamboo trees, two elements that play an essential role in making pottery here in Uji. To find out more, visit this shop. :) PS. if you bring your passport, you can opt for tax-free purchase and they will carefully wrap your items so you can take them...

I'm very late in writing a review, but I visited in November of 2023 for a pottery wheel experience. The shop itself was very nice and the staff were very friendly and spoke English. I didn't end up buying anything since I was there to make something myself however.

The woman who showed me how to use the pottery wheel and explained the process and about the local Uji clay, was very knowledgeable and spoke nearly fluent English. She was also pleasant to chat with and gave me some tips for places to visit in the area.

I was able to make a small sake cup and a tea cup during my alotted time. The shop fires the objects for you and applies a clear glaze, then ships them to your home country. It's a bit pricey, but definitely worth it for the experience and to have something you...