Kasama-yaki

Creative pottery from Ibaraki encouraging individual artistic expression.

Kasama-yaki is a pottery tradition from Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, established in the late 18th century. Unlike many Japanese ceramic traditions bound by strict stylistic conventions, Kasama-yaki is celebrated for its creative freedom, encouraging individual potters to develop their own distinctive styles. The city hosts one of Japan's largest pottery festivals each spring, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to browse works by over 200 artisans.