The experience
Shoukoku Kiln in Higashiyama has made Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki ware for more than a century. Its third-generation head, Shoukoku Kanoh, leads the visit with his son, Tomoo Kanoh.
After a tour of the workshop you choose one of two things: hand-building a cup or bowl from coils of clay, or painting a piece in aka-e, a red overglaze. You then watch the artisan at the electric wheel and inscribe your name, the date or a design on a plate.
The visit ends with seasonal sweets and matcha in the kiln's own bowls. The kiln dries, glazes and fires your work and ships it to you in about four months. It is not retouched, so your marks stay on it.
On the day
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The workshop
A tour of the kiln and the story of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki.
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Making
Hand-building a cup or bowl, or painting a cup, plate or small dish in red.
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At the wheel
The artisan works the wheel, and you inscribe a plate.
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Tea
Seasonal sweets and matcha with the Kanoh family.
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Months later
Your piece arrives at home in about four months.
Guide price
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per person, from | ¥54,000 |
- Includes the experience, facility charges, the interpreter and tax.
- There is a minimum of two guests. A booking for one pays the two-guest minimum.
- Shipping is extra and paid on the day, in cash or by card. Customs duties may apply in your country.
Good to know
- Booking deadline
- At least 3 days before, and earlier in busy seasons.
- Cancellation
- Full refund up to 8 days before, by 17:00 Japan time.
- Language
- An English-speaking interpreter is included.
- The making
- Guests do not throw on the wheel. Painting uses red only. Rings, earrings and necklaces come off during the session.
- What to wear
- Clothes that can get dirty.
- Shipping
- Check that the piece may be sent to your country. Delivery can take longer than four months.
What STAYGO does
- We arrange the visit through Wabunka, the booking site the kiln uses, and keep in touch with them about your date.
- We give the kiln your shipping address and place the visit on a Kyoto day that suits it.
- We plan how you get there and back.
This visit is paid in advance by credit card, in yen, through Wabunka, at the price they show. STAYGO adds nothing to it. Shipping is paid to the kiln on the day.
Arranged only as part of a STAYGO journey.
Details checked on the host's published page on 13 October 2026. Hosts set their own prices and terms and may change them. We confirm them again when we arrange your date, and nothing is confirmed until the host accepts it.
You pay hotels, ryokan, restaurants and guides directly, at their own rates. We add no markups and take no commissions. The Signature planning fee is USD 3,500 for your group, for a journey of 7–14 days. Longer or more complex journeys are planned as Bespoke.
