In March 2025, I had the privilege of visiting one of the top countries on my to-do list: Japan.

Japan is known for its deep appreciation of craftsmanship, and ceramics play a huge role in that. So, of course, as a ceramic artist, I had to dive into that world: exploring, learning, and bringing back pieces that tell stories. Some spoke to me personally, and some were made by incredibly talented independent Japanese artists.

Any regrets? Just one: I didn’t bring back enough pieces!
I was so picky that I came back thinking, “I should’ve gotten that cup… and that other one too.” But oh well, it’s just another reason to go back to Japan and collect more stories in ceramic form. Ehehehe.

Anyway, here are the pieces I brought back from Japan and the little stories that came with them. I got my pieces from thoughtfully chosen places, and only one was actually a spontaneous buy.

Kanazawa

My first ceramic purchase was a spontaneous one. I was wandering the streets of Kanazawa, heading to the old samurai district, when I spotted a tiny pinch pot in a shop window. Two little eyes and a cute face on what looked like a wood-fired piece, hooked immediately. But it was just the beginning of my trip! Did I really want to carry a fragile ceramic piece in my backpack for the next 18 days? I looked into those eyes and the answer was clear: Yes.

I went into the shop and pretended to look at other things first (as if I had any doubt). Up close, you could see the finger marks from the pinching technique, and tiny glaze bubbles that reminded me of wood-ash glaze. The face was painted simply, maybe with red iron oxide? Genius.
The shop owner didn’t speak much English, so he couldn’t tell me more about the pot, but he kindly pulled out his iPad and showed me the artist’s Instagram: Murata Yuta.
Now I admire my little pinched pot even more. So, so talented!

Kyoto

Next stop: Kyoto. A city rich in history and famous for its craftsmanship, especially ceramics.
I had done some research before arriving but didn’t really understand the depth of Kyoto’s ceramic scene until I got there. Kyoto, being the former capital of Japan and blessed with high-quality clay in its soil and surrounding towns, has pottery in its DNA. Pottery towns around Kyoto are still active today. Historically, they produced huge amounts of ceramics for the capital, and Kyoto itself was filled with working potters, entire neighborhoods!

My favorite “museum” was actually the former home of the legendary potter Kawai Kanjiro, who lived and worked there from the 1920s to the 1980s. Behind his house stands a MASSIVE kiln, so massive it was only fired once a year! And so massive that other local potters would use it too. Today, the area around Kawai’s house (now a museum) is still home to active potters, possibly descendants of those who fired in that kiln. They probably use electric kilns now, but this little piece of history? Fascinating.

We also happened to be in Kyoto during their main antique market, which only happens once a month! I promised myself I wouldn’t go wild buying ceramics this early in the trip (again: fear of breakage), so I only got two tiny cups from the sweetest vendor. They’re probably my favorites. I regret not buying more, nothing else I saw later quite compared.
Lesson learned. Now I have to go back to Kyoto for that market and expand my collection.

We were also randomly walking through a quiet, almost residential street in Kyoto when we saw a sign:
“Coffee, Ceramics, Antiques.”
Three reasons for Alex and me to go in immediately.

We stepped inside, and everyone looked at us like “How did you find this place?” Turns out… it was their first day ever. They had opened the shop literally one minute earlier. It was 12:01.

We ended up in Donoma Studio, chatted with the lovely owners, discovered their ceramic studio downstairs and antique shop upstairs. Alex and I spent more time upstairs and got to know them a bit. I bought a set of beautiful green cups, and we hugged because I was their first customer ever. Such a heartwarming experience!

Shigaraki

Outside Kyoto (okay, a bit further than “outskirts”) lies the pottery town of Shigaraki, where I wanted to visit the Ceramic Cultural Park. I was hoping to dive deep into the feel of a real pottery town. I saw an ancient kiln from the 1700s…

…but unfortunately, the park itself was a bit underwhelming. Half of it was closed, and there was no advance notice, so I left a bit demotivated.
BUT, Alex saved the day. He had bookmarked a place called NOTA shop, which became a huge highlight of the whole trip!

We explored their beautifully curated shop and were lucky enough to peek into their studio in the back. I was so nervous when I asked if I could take photos that every single shot turned out blurry. Hahah omg.

We bought these gorgeous lava cups that we now use for our daily coffee.

Also: this stunning saucer plate made from Shigaraki soil with an incredible glaze. But let’s be honest, my favorite part is actually… the bottom.

Alex also bought a red clay “brick” (basically just a fired slab) and a beautiful L-shaped wall sculpture.

Osaka & Tokyo

In Osaka, I found a local artist and bought a tiny, stunning plate with the most gorgeous matte black glaze. Sadly, I lost the artist’s business card and don’t remember their name. 🙁

In Tokyo, I hit up another antique market, hoping to find more ceramics like I did in Kyoto. Unfortunately, it was much more touristy, and 3–4x more expensive. Still, I had set the intention of buying a chawan (matcha bowl), and I found one with a similar glaze to my Kyoto teacup. I love it, but I still think the Kyoto finds were more special. So… next time!

Also: I’m obsessed with how the bottoms of these ceramic pieces are finished. So of course, I had to take photos of all of them upside down.

If you’ve read this far, thank you!!!
I had such a wonderful time in Japan, and I truly hope life brings me back soon so I can continue exploring this beautiful country and its rich ceramic heritage.

xx
– Yvonne