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)

If you would like to try the potter’s wheel, there are many small studios offering small classes where beginners can enjoy making their own item.

Sake Brewing

Tonoike Sake Brewery is a traditional Sake brewery 10min walk from our strawberry farm. Staff are very friendly and used to having international visitors. 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 make sure to visit their sake tasting room and try their Sake Icecream.

Indigo Dyeing

At the bottom of the Pottery street (Jyonaizaka) in the center of Mashiko is an old  Indigo Dyeing studio calledHigeta 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 lunch time. 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

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.