Apart from Strawberry picking, Mashiko is known abroad for its Pottery culture and quality sake brewing.

Mashiko Pottery

Although Mashiko pottery dates back to 1853, it was the master potter Shoji Hamada (1894-1978) who put Mashiko on the map in the 1920s. After meeting Bernard Leach (1887-1979) and living in St. Ives’, England, Hamada moved back to Japan and settled here in Mashiko. Hamada who was one of the center figures of the mingei (folk-craft movement) influenced the style of Mashiko pottery how it is known today.

When visiting Mashiko, you can see the heritage Hamada left behind at the Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Sankokan Museum or visit exhibitions at Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art. (1 stop by train or 10 min by car)

For pottery classes, please see here to find basic instructions and to find a pottery studio.

Sake Brewing

Tonoike Sake Brewery is a traditional Sake brewery 10 minutes walk from our strawberry farm. Staff are very friendly and used to having international visitors. You can book short tours and tasting sessions with them. Their award-winning Sake is not only popular in Japan, but exported to half a dozen countries including USA, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and France. If you visit them, make sure to visit their sake tasting room and try their Sake ice cream.

Cycling

Mashiko is a countryside town and a great place to rent a bike in spring (March-May) and Autumn (Sep-Dec). For prices and locations that offer bike rentals, please see here.

Indigo Dyeing

At the bottom of the pottery street (Jyonaizaka) in the center of Mashiko is an old  Indigo Dyeing studio called Higeta Aizome Kobo. This studio is said to be older than the pottery industry in Mashiko, as the pots still used to dye the fabric in were brought from nearby villages before there were potters in Mashiko. Visitors are welcome to visit this two-century-old studio and watch the artist perform their work. (Open 8.30-17.00 Except for lunchtime. Closed Mondays)

Steam Train

On the weekends and public holidays, families and rail enthusiasts visit Mashiko to ride the steam train (steam locomotive)  that runs between Shimodate and Motegi stations. The train drives past Mashiko Station twice a day at 11:28 and 15:01. Tickets are available at the station.

Timetable (Japanese)  http://www.moka-railway.co.jp/jikoku01_sl.php

More about what to do in Mashiko

Read about Mashiko here to learn more about what to do in town when you come.

Click on the map to download our brochure (with a local map and prices etc in English)

* The information in the brochure was correct at the time of printing, but it is subject to change, so please double check critical information when traveling.