Tokoname and Arimatsu pottery tour from Nagoya: Six Ancient Kilns

Ceramic tiles, lucky cats, and indigo patterns made by hand

A full-day tour from Nagoya to Tokoname and Arimatsu, led by an English-speaking guide, combines pottery heritage with live textile craftsmanship. You'll walk the Tokoname Pottery Path lined with traditional shops and cafes, tour the INAX Tile Museum inside a preserved kiln site, and watch skilled artisans create Arimatsu Shibori fabrics in a historic village. The tour includes air-conditioned transport between sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tokoname and Arimatsu crafts

• Visit INAX Tile Museum and kiln
• Walk Tokoname Pottery Path
• Free time for shopping and lunch
• Tour Arimatsu village and watch Shibori demo

The experience

Tokoname is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns and a Japan Heritage Site, built on centuries of pottery production. The INAX Tile Museum sits inside a preserved kiln and walks you through the history and methods of the region's ceramics. Everything from functional tiles to an entire section dedicated to ceramic toilets, one of the more unexpected exhibits in Japan. After the museum, you have free time on the Tokoname Pottery Path, a winding street lined with traditional houses, pottery shops, cafes, and sculptures where you can browse, eat, or ask your guide for recommendations.

Arimatsu, your second stop, sits on the historic Tokaido Trail that once connected Tokyo to Kyoto during the Edo era. The village is the center of production for Arimatsu Shibori, a labor-intensive indigo-dyeing technique that creates complex patterns prized for their intricate beauty. Your guide leads you through the town and explains the process. You'll watch a live demonstration and speak directly with master craftsmen who have been creating the fabric for decades. Tokoname is also Japan's largest producer of ceramic lucky cats and was featured in the Netflix film A Whisker Away, making it a draw for both pottery enthusiasts and anime fans.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport between Nagoya and both towns.
• entry to the INAX Tile Museum inside a preserved kiln site.
• live English-speaking guide for the full day.
• free time to explore the Tokoname Pottery Path and shop for pottery.
• live demonstration of Arimatsu Shibori indigo-dyeing and the chance to speak with master craftsmen.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Tuesday, Thursday and FridayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)

Is this one for you?This tour works best for small groups or individuals who want to see two distinct craft traditions in one day without arranging their own transport between towns. The fixed itinerary and English-speaking guide mean you move at a set pace through both sites, leaving the planning to someone who knows the region.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is the INAX Tile Museum and what will I see there?

The INAX Tile Museum is housed inside a preserved kiln site in Tokoname and displays pottery, tiles, and ceramics from the region and around the world. Your guide leads you through the history and production methods of Tokoname pottery, and the museum includes an entire section dedicated to ceramic toilets.

Will I have time to shop for pottery and textiles on this tour?

Yes. You have free time on the Tokoname Pottery Path to explore artisan shops and browse for hand-made pottery and ceramics. In Arimatsu, you can shop for one-of-a-kind hand-dyed Arimatsu Shibori fabrics after watching the live demonstration.

What is Arimatsu Shibori and why is it special?

Arimatsu Shibori is a labor-intensive indigo-dyeing technique unique to the village of Arimatsu. The process creates stunning textiles with complex, intricate patterns that are prized for their beauty. On the tour, you'll watch master craftsmen demonstrate the technique and speak with artisans who have practiced it for decades.

How long is this tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs approximately 7.5 hours and includes air-conditioned transport between Nagoya, Tokoname, and Arimatsu, entry to the INAX Tile Museum, and a live English-speaking guide throughout the day. Lunch is not included, though you'll have free time in Tokoname to eat at local cafes.