[30 minutes by train from Nagoya] Tokoname ware souvenir guide! How to choose teapots, tableware, and Beckoning Cat figurines.

Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture is the production center of Tokoname ware, which has a history of approximately 1,000 years. They offer a wide variety of items, from classic teapots to everyday tableware and cute Beckoning Cat. For travelers buying Tokoname ware for the first time, this guide will introduce how to choose products and recommend shopping areas.

Written by

Tokoname Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association)

We are promoting tourism with the keyword "Happy Come On TOKONAME," which embodies our wish that "everyone who visits Tokoname City will experience its various attractions, feel happy and joyful, and take home the 'power of happiness' that will energize them for tomorrow."

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• Table of Contents
• If you love tea, then a Tokoname ware teapot is for you.
• For everyday souvenirs, "tableware" is a good choice.
• For a lucky souvenir, try a "Beckoning Cat" (beckoning cat).
• Points to check before purchasing
• Places where you can buy Tokoname ware
• Find your favorite pottery in Tokoname
• Take the Tokoname Shuttle to the tourist spots.

If you love tea, then a Tokoname ware teapot is for you.

One of the most representative types of pottery from Tokoname is the teapot.

We offer a wide variety of designs, including traditional reddish-brown clay teapots, as well as black, white, and patterned options.

When choosing a teapot, consider how many servings you usually brew, the shape of the tea strainer, and how easy it is to hold. Telling the shop assistant what kind of tea you want to drink will make it easier to choose a teapot that suits your needs.

For everyday souvenirs, "tableware" is a good choice.

Bowls, plates, cups, and other tableware are souvenirs that will remind you of your trip to Tokoname every time you use them at home.

The works range from those that utilize the traditional texture of clay to those with bright colors and modern designs.

When purchasing, be sure to check whether it is microwave and dishwasher safe, along with the cleaning instructions.

For a lucky souvenir, try a "Beckoning Cat" (beckoning cat).

Tokoname is also known as a production center for Beckoning Cat) figurines.

In addition to traditional Tokoname style Beckoning Cat, they also sell unique works by artists, as well as smaller, easy-to-carry versions.

Compare their expressions, colors, and poses to find your favorite!

Points to check before purchasing

When choosing pottery, be sure to check its intended use, size, weight, and care instructions.

If you are taking the item overseas, inform the airline that it is fragile when you purchase it, and they may pack it with cushioning material or a box. Also, be sure to check the airline's baggage rules in advance.

Asking the shop staff about the artist's name, the type of clay used, and the firing method will deepen your understanding of the artwork.

Places where you can buy Tokoname ware

Pottery Footpath

This is a tourist area that can be explored on foot from Tokoname Station. Shops, galleries, and artisans' workshops selling Tokoname ware are scattered throughout the area, allowing you to enjoy browsing for products while strolling through the town.

Tokoname Pottery Footpath

479-0836 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture

The Tokoname Pottery Footpath refers to the area where the ceramic industry was at its most prosperous in the early Showa period. Chimneys, kilns, and factories still dot the area, quietly conveying the state of those days. Today, many artists still have studios here. The area has wonderful galleries, cafes, pottery shops, and miscellaneous goods stores. The starting point for the walk is the Tokoname City Ceramic Hall, which is a 5-minute walk from Tokoname Station. Enjoy strolling through the maze-like alleyways with the pamphlet you got here in hand. There are also sightseeing guided tours that provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Tokoname. Please take advantage of these excursions.

Tokoname Ceramall

This shopping area features several specialty ceramics shops. It's recommended for those who want to compare teapots, tableware, Beckoning Cat, and other ceramic items all in one place.

CeraMall (Tokoname Ceramics Park Association)

99 Kamisunahara, Kanayama, Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, 479-0003

This ceramics shopping mall is rare even in Japan, and offers reasonably priced tableware, tableware, and other items to enrich your life, recommended by ceramics professionals. With a wide selection of products that only a pottery specialty store can offer, many customers visit from both Japan and abroad. Some stores employ ceramic artists and traditional craftsmen, so you can enjoy talking to the store owners. Cera Mall is lined with shops specializing in teapots, pottery classes taught by artisans, and shops selling Tokoname's specialty, Tokoname, and is sure to become a Tokoname experience in Tokoname.

Tokoname Tourist Information Center

We sell Tokoname ware teapots, lucky Beckoning Cat, and souvenirs from Tokoname. If you're unsure where to shop, our staff can help.

Tokoname Tourist Information Center

3-8 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City, Aichi prefecture, 479-0836

The Tokoname Tourist Information Center in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, is a base for visitors to Tokoname, providing easy-to-understand information about the area. Located a five-minute walk from Meitetsu Tokoname Station, it's conveniently located, making it easy for first-time visitors to Tokoname to find their way there without getting lost. The information center offers a wide range of tourist information about Tokoname City and the surrounding area, including tourist maps, brochures, and event information. Our staff is also happy to assist you with advice on sightseeing routes and recommendations for recommended spots. Our hospitality, unique to Japan, ensures that international visitors feel at ease. Tokoname is known as one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, and is the birthplace of Tokoname ware, a craft with a thousand-year history. The information center introduces tourist attractions that allow visitors to experience the region's history and culture, including the Pottery Walk, pottery making experiences, local cuisine, and cultural assets. We also provide access information to popular, photogenic spots like Maneki-neko Street and the INAX Live Museum, making it a popular starting point for many visitors. The tourist information center also sells local specialties and Maneki-neko souvenirs, including Tokoname ware accessories and local crafts, making perfect souvenirs or gifts. Information on limited-time exhibitions and workshops is also available, so you'll always find something new no matter how many times you visit. The Tokoname Tourist Information Center also serves as a "place of interaction" connecting locals and tourists, and goes beyond simply providing information to help enrich the travel experience of visitors. Please feel free to stop by as the starting point for learning more about the charms of Tokoname.

Find your favorite pottery in Tokoname

Even within the same type of pottery, the shape, color, and texture can vary slightly.

As you stroll through the townscape unique to this production area, try to find your own Tokoname ware that you'll want to use in your daily life.

Take the Tokoname Shuttle to the tourist spots.

For sightseeing within Tokoname City, the free shuttle bus "Tokoname Shuttle" is also convenient. You can use it to get around the area around the Pottery Footpath and the city's tourist and commercial areas.

Check the operating days, stops, and latest timetable, and enjoy sightseeing in Tokoname by combining it with walking or using a shared bicycle.