Asahiyaki is a pottery that has thrived with the tea culture of Uji since its establishment in 1600. Passed down through 16 generations for over 400 years, it has a rich history.
Conveniently located on the eastern bank of Uji River within a tourist area, the pottery is within walking distance from Keihan Uji Station. As you walk along the river, enjoying the scenic views, you will arrive at the Asahiyaki Shop & Gallery. Here, you will find a stylish space with sophisticated works lined up. The works by the current head potter are likely to delight even serious collectors. At the same time, affordable options are on display, such as palm-sized teacups and small plates with a rustic charm.
Additionally, you can participate in a one-day pottery experience. Through hands-on experience, you can gain a deeper understanding of the process of their artwork. Participants can enter the building where a large nobori-gama (kiln with stepped chambers) is located. This is the only kiln of this scale in Kyoto. Furthermore, it is rare to find a nobori-gama that is still in active use in Kyoto.
Speaking of rare finds, few potteries handle the entire process from making the clay. At Asahiyaki, clay dug up from the ground of Uji over 50 years ago is slowly "aged" to make it easier to use.
- Tel
- Asahiyaki Shop & Gallery: 0774-23-2511
Asahiyaki Pottery Class: 0774-23-2517
- Address
- Asahiyaki Shop & Gallery: 67 Uji Matafuri, Uji City, Kyoto
Asahiyaki Pottery Class: 11 Uji Yamada, Uji City, Kyoto
- Access
- By train:
About 7 min. on foot from Uji Station (Keihan Uji Line)
About 17 min. on foot from Uji Station (JR Nara Line)
By car:
- Coming from Osaka/Kobe:
From Tennozan Tunnel (Oyamazaki Junction) on the Meishin Expressway, proceed to Keiji By-pass. From the Uji-nishi exit, continue toward the city center of Uji (drive toward Byodoin Temple for about 10 min.).
- Coming from Tokyo/Nagoya:
From Seta-higashi Junction on the Meishin Expressway, proceed to Keiji By-pass. From the Uji-higashi exit, continue toward Byodoin Temple for about 5 minutes. - Business Hours
- Asahiyaki Shop & Gallery: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Asahiyaki Pottery Class: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Closed
Asahiyaki Shop & Gallery: Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a national holiday), the last Tuesday of each month
Asahiyaki Pottery Class: Mondays (Other closures may occur)
- Parking
- Available in front of Fukujuen Uji Kobo (Shared parking for Asahiyaki Shop & Gallery and Asahiyaki Pottery Class)
(There are several coin-operated parking lots in this area. If Asahiyaki’s parking lot is full, please use one of them at a fee.)
