For more than 1500 years, the kilns of Echizen have been celebrated as one of Japan's greatest clay-working areas. Today, the Echizen Pottery Village stands as a testament to Fukui's ancient traditions while making the craft accessible to people of all skills and ages.
Let's explore more of this fascinating place in an area that many people overlook as they plan their trips to Japan!
What is Echizen Pottery Village?
Echizen Pottery Village is a collection of businesses, museums and exhibition areas centered around Echizen Ware pottery. The village is one of several traditional craft areas around Echizen, such as the Echizen Washi Village, so, while the Echizen area can be enjoyed as a full day out, it can also make a great morning or afternoon activity as you move through the area.
Why is Echizen famous for Pottery?
Some of the oldest archaeological evidence of clay work, dating back to the 500s, has been found in the areas around Echizen. These kilns were wood-fired and produced something called Sue ware and vary distinctly from other types of contemporary earthenware like terracotta (called Haniwa in Japan).
Echizen is also home to one of Japan's "Six Ancient Kilns." This kiln began production sometime during the latter half of the Heian Period (794 - 1185) and was inspired by technological advancements in areas south of Fukui. Pieces produced in the ancient kiln have been found in archaeological sites in Hokkaido to the far north, Fukushima on the eastern coast and Shimane to the south. Echizen Ware fired in the kiln was famous for its natural glaze - a dark green - over the reddish-brown body.
Today, people come from around the world to study pottery techniques in Echizen and the smoke of wood-fired kilns can be seen from plenty of chimneys around the village!
Visiting Echizen Pottery Village
The pottery village actually covers a surprisingly large area with enough to make full a morning or afternoon out. The whole area can take around 20 minutes to walk around if you're in a hurry, though!
Fukui Prefectural Pottery Museum
At the very centre of the village is the Fukui Prefectural Pottery Museum, showcasing the various pottery styles that have been developed and honed here in Echizen. The museum also has a workshop where you can take a beginners' pottery class and a teahouse, Chaen, where you can do tea ceremony using traditional Echizen ware!
Ceramic Art Center
This arts' center often features musical performances and also houses the annual Echizen Pottery festival, held on the last Saturday, Sunday and Monday every May. Roughly 100,000 people attend the festival every year. If you're looking to get some Echizen pottery, plan your trip to be in May!
Art Field
The outdoor space of the park is broken up into four areas: the lawn area, where people often go to enjoy a picnic in the warm spring weather; the art area, with 15 outdoor pieces enhance the atmosphere; the cherry blossom area, which makes an April highlight; and the children's play area.
How to Get to Echizen Potter Village
Getting to Echizen Pottery Village is fairly simple and, regardless of whether you're coming from Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo, the first step is getting to Fukui Station. From the Tokyo side, simply take the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Fukui Station. From the Kyoto/ Osaka side, take the JR Thunderbird to Tsuruga Station, then transfer to the Shinkansen and get off at Fukui Station.
From there, take the Fukui Happy Line train to Takefu Station then take the Takefu/ Echizen Gold Coast line bus to Tougeimura-guchi and get off there.
Visit Fukui
In 2023, the Hokuriku Shinkansen opened its extension to Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture. Since then, Fukui has been more accessible than ever as it now has two stops on the main Hokuriku Shinkansen route, Tsuruga Station and Fukui Station.
Fukui remains a quiet and tranquil region despite that accessibility, though. If you're planning a trip to Japan and are looking to get away from the crowded streets of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, Fukui could be a great place to enjoy some peace, quiet and fresh air!
There is plenty to do in this wonderful region. If you're looking for suggestions, check out our "Things to Do in Fukui" page to get yourself started. This guide has everything that you need to spend a couple of days in the area.
If you're looking for more information about goshuin, be sure to check out our "Best Goshuin Near Fukui" page for more information!
