Mashiko 益子町: Where artistry meets tradition in Japan's pottery paradise 4K

Mashiko is a southeastern Tochigi town renowned for its traditional pottery, which has been produced in the town since the Edo period. The pottery is celebrated for its rustic simplicity and visually appealing designs. Each piece is as practical as it is beautiful, attracting buyers from all around the world. Mashiko has numerous pottery studios and museums detailing its history, and you also can take a tour through the town on weekends and holidays.

Must-eat in Tochigi:


Nikko yuba (tofu skin)
Tochi-Otome strawberries
a bowl of kaiun (“lucky road”) udon at Syourin
kanpyo (dried gourd) udon
Shiobara Onsen’s Toteyaki
Mimi Udon
Nasuben
Sano ramen
Nakagawa grilled ayu
Oyama city Hatomugi Tea

Here are some ideas for places you can visit and things you can do in Tochigi:
1 Utsunomiya Minmin - Main shop 宇都宮みんみん 本店 (60 min wait for dine in)]
2 Gyōza Masashi Miyajima shop ぎょうざ専門店 正嗣 宮島町本店 (1.5 hour wait for dine in, 10min takeout) ¥560/12 pieces of gyoza
3 get Utsonomiya gyoza
4 Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine 宇都宮二荒山神社
5 get 大王チーズ10円パン宇都宮店 10-yen cheese bread
6 get Mashiko-ware from Mashiko Pottery Town
7 Yamani Otsuka やまに大塚
8 益子骨董村 ceramic store — my favorite place in Mashiko Town
9 夢HIROBA outdoor market
10 Daisei Kiln 大誠窯
11 益子焼ふくしま ceramic store
12 JOHNNY'S ART STUDIO
13 get Jari-mame (cheese flavor)
14 Killing Stone / Sessho-Seki 殺生石
15 Nasu Yuzen Shrine 那須温泉神社（拝殿）
16 こんばいろの湯 free foot bath 9:30am-5:00pm
17 Nasuonsen Shikanoyu Hot Spring 那須温泉 鹿の湯
18 Minamigaoka Dairy 那須高原 南ヶ丘牧場 Free parking and entrance
19 get Guernsey milk
20 フィンランドの森 Finland no Mori Free parking and entrance
21 森のVoiVoi cafe
22 フィンランドの森 ハンモックカフェ cafe
23 Kumo-Izu Nasu shop 雲IZU Free parking, ¥800 delicious dango sets
24 get dango&matcha set and/or mugikoro from Kumo-Izu
25 Candy Castle Nasu Heartland お菓子の城 那須ハートランド free parking
26 get Okashi no Shiro Nasu Heartland’s strawberry wine
27 Nasu Highland Yuainomori Rest Area 道の駅 那須高原友愛の森 Free parking, support local farmers by purchasing from here
28 Waterfall of the Virgin 乙女の滝 Free parking


Famous places in Tochigi we’ve been to before:

Kegon Falls
Lake Chūzenji 中禅寺湖
Ashikaga Flower Park
Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura
Nikko Toshogu Shrine (日光東照宮)

Tochigi souvenirs:

Mashiko ware
Ashikaga Meisen Silk
Yuki Pongee Silk
sake from Shimazaki Sake Brewery
Nasu Kogen Beer
cotton products for sale at Moka Momen Kaikan
hitofude ryuu (one stroke dragon) painting/scrolls from Dragon Art Kosyuya

Here's a list of places I don't recommend going in Tochigi:

1 Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art / Ceramic Art Messe Mashiko 益子陶芸美術館／陶芸メッセ・益子
2 BUTTER NO ITOKO バターのいとこ