Included in the Fee

• Professional English-speaking guide service

• Private chauffeured car

• Admission fee to the Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo

• Hands-on pottery workshop led by a local ceramic artist, including materials fees

• Lunch

Not Included in the Fee

• Accommodation

• Personal expenses such as souvenir purchases

• Shipping fees to send your finished pieces to you. Fees will vary depending on the number of pieces, size, weight and country of destination.

Tour availability is subject to the operating schedules of the Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo, and the pottery studios visited for the hands-on workshop. 

Typically, tours are available on both weekdays and weekends, except Mondays (there may be occasional exceptions due to Japanese holidays).

Please let us know your desired dates (multiple dates are best) as early as possible, and we can check availability and get back to you. While we will do our best to respond to last-minute inquiries, we are more likely to be able to schedule successfully with 4-week or more advance notice. 

Please note that times may vary slightly depending on your pickup location.

08:50 AM Meet your guide at a designated pickup location

09:00 AM Depart for Tachikui Village

10:30 AM Arrive at Tachikui Village

10:30 AM Guided Museum Visit.
Visit “The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo” and receive an introduction to Tamba pottery directly from a curator. (Curator's commentary + free viewing time). Note: Should the curator be unavailable, your tour guide will provide commentary.

12:15 PM Lunch.
Enjoy a homemade lunch at the welcoming local restaurant “Koharubiyori”, located a short drive from the museum. The menu highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the surrounding area, with a particular focus on local vegetables. All dishes are served on handcrafted Tamba pottery, allowing you to appreciate not only the flavours of the region but also its ceramic traditions. With advance notice, vegetarian and gluten-free options can be accommodated.

01:30 PM Climbing Kiln Visit.
Experience “Saiko-no-Nobori Gama”, the region's oldest actively used climbing kiln. Note that the Kiln can be enjoyed year-round, but will only be in active use during a limited period in late April to early May, typically as part of the annual Haru Monogatari event held around Japan’s Golden Week.

02:30 PM 2-Hour Pottery Experience (Handbuilding or Wheel Throwing)
at one of the studios in this village under the instruction of one of the region’s master potters. While you will create a piece of your choice, the pieces need to be subsequently fired and finished (which will be done by your instructor after your session). Finished pieces can be delivered to your home several months later (A separate charge applies for postage/delivery). Your host potter will also show you his/her workspaces and give you a personal demonstration of various local crafting techniques. 

04:30 PM Depart from Tachikui village 

06:00 PM Arrive at your drop-off location / Tour end

Chauffeured Vehicle (Private Driver)

A private chauffeured vehicle will be arranged based on the number of guests. Please note that specific vehicle models cannot be requested.

• Sedan: For 1–2 guests
  (Example models: Toyota Crown Sedan FCEV, Crown Crossover, Crown Hybrid)

• Minivan / Wagon: For 3–4 guests
  (Example models: Toyota Alphard Hybrid, Vellfire Hybrid)

If you have a special request—such as preferring a larger vehicle even for 1–2 guests—please feel free to contact us in advance. We will do our best to accommodate your request, subject to availability.

Pick-up and drop-off can be arranged at the following locations:

• Major stations or hotels located in central Kyoto City, Osaka City, Kobe City, or Takarazuka City

• Kobe Port or Osaka Port

If your preferred location is outside these areas, please contact us in advance. We will be happy to advise whether arrangements can be made. Please note that pricing may vary depending on the location.

For guests who prefer a more independent style of travel and are comfortable using public transportation on their own, this private tour is available as an alternative.

This option is generally more budget-friendly than the private tour with a chauffeured vehicle. Please note, however, that this is a rural area with limited public transportation. Travel logistics and timing would therefore need to be managed independently.

👉 Details of this option. [PDF]

Cancellation Policy (Summary)

• Free cancellation up to 15 days before the tour date (by midnight Japan Standard Time).

• After that (14 days or less before the scheduled tour date), 100% of the tour price will be charged in the event of cancellation.

• No-shows (failure to attend on the scheduled date and time) will also be charged 100% of the tour price.

• No refunds after the tour has started.

• For full details, please refer to our Booking Terms.

Tour Cancellation by Us

• If the tour is cancelled due to bad weather or force majeure (such as typhoons, earthquakes, or major transportation disruptions), 100% of our guide fees will be refunded.

• Other tour-related expenses will be refunded in accordance with the cancellation policies of our service providers. As a result, the majority of tour fees are typically refundable, though some expenses — including the reservation and arrangement fee — may be partially or fully non-refundable.

• For full details, please refer to our Booking Terms.