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Hagi Glass Studio

One-of-a-kind vessels made with Japan's only "internally cracked and pierced glass.

A glass studio located in Kasayama, Hagi City—Japan’s only source of quartz basalt. While most glass studios use purchased raw materials, this studio handles the entire production process using raw stones mined locally.Furthermore, to produce heat-resistant glass, artisans craft each piece individually at a high temperature of 1,520°C. It is the only workshop in Japan that produces heat-resistant glass.
The main products are pale green “basalt glass” and “crack-inlaid glass,” which features cracks sealed within the glass.You can purchase items in the store, but we also recommend trying the glassblowing experience to create and take home your own original piece. The experience of blowing air into a blowpipe with a red-hot glass tip will surely be a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Select your favorite shape and color. Craftsmen teach you one-on-one, so you don't have to worry.

For the air-blown glass experience, visitors can choose from three shapes (simple, tall, and round) and eight different colors. Once the shape and color are chosen, the craftsman prepares the glass, and the Experience begins when the glass is blown into the blowpipe.
You will stand in front of the kiln, but don't worry, the craftsman will teach you one-on-one. Once the glass is inflated to the desired shape and removed from the blowpipe, the craftsman will finish the work. The glass will not be delivered until it has completely cooled down. You will receive it the next day or later, but they can also ship it to you (for an additional fee).

Local Guide

This is the only workshop in Japan that produces "Uchi-Hibi Kannyu Glass. The three-layered structure of the glass allows boiling water to be added. In addition, visitors can try their hand at making accessories and carving (sandblasting), so please make a memory of your trip with your favorite experience!

Hagi Glass Studio

• 1189-453 Koshigahama, Tsubaki-Higashi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 5 min. by car from JR Koshigahama Stn.
• 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• None
• 0838-26-2555
• Available

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Hagi Ware Kaikan

Enjoy the freedom of hand-binning to create Hagi-yaki vessels with a rich flavor.

This property, directly operated by the kiln, allows you to see, touch, and enjoy Hagi-yaki, which boasts a 400-year history. It features a main building housing the Hagi-yaki Gallery, a souvenir shop, and “Takeniwa Hagino” (for group reservations only), where you can savor the flavors of Hagi, as well as a Hagi-yaki workshop.
At the workshop, two types of Hagi-yaki experiences are offered: the “Hand-building Experience,” where you shape plates, cups, and tea bowls by hand like clay modeling, and the “Painting Experience,” where you draw pictures or write characters on bisque-fired Hagi-yaki pieces.The hand-building experience, in particular, allows participants to create various shapes depending on their imagination and is reportedly popular among people of all ages and genders.

*Individual pottery experiences are currently available only on weekends and holidays. As schedules are subject to change depending on the season, we recommend inquiring in advance.

A wide range of vessels from everyday use to prestigious tea ceremony utensils and flower vases

The Hagiyaki Gallery and Souvenir Shop is very popular among tourists for its wide selection of products. Hagiyaki pottery is available in a wide range of styles, from modern everyday items such as cute knick-knacks and stylish tableware to prestigious tea ceremony utensils and flower vases, most of which are original products only available at a store directly managed by the kiln.
The Hagiyaki Kaikan's original "Hagi Seikamon," which combines two of Japan's representative ceramics, Hagiyaki and Arita-yaki, is a new type of pottery that is attracting attention from many quarters as a fusion of two traditional techniques.

Local Guide

The hand-building experience takes about 60 minutes, and the painting experience takes about 30 minutes—it’s nice that they’re so easy to try. The pieces you create are fired by professional artisans, and you’ll receive them 1–2 months later. It seems like you can enjoy the wait while imagining how they’ll turn out.

Hagi Ware Kaikan

• 3155 Tsubaki-Higashi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 3 min. by car from JR Higashi Hagi Sta.
• 8:30-17:00
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 0838-25-9545
• Available

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Tsugihagi Farm

Experience the unique rural handicraft experience of using bamboo paper and onion peels.

This 80-year-old renovated warehouse of an old private house is a Property that conveys the charm of Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and its surrounding area, where the editorial members of the little press "Tsugihagi," launched in 2018, introduce natural blessings and handicrafts that are unique to the countryside.
Here, you can experience "making a lampshade for a lifetime with bamboo paper made from Hagi's bamboo. First, you will see, touch, and feel the story of how Hagi's bamboo is turned into paper, and then complete the lampshade by attaching the bamboo paper to a frame. The snugness of the handiwork is so appealing that even the clumsiest person can enjoy it.

An in-depth trip to think about recycling-oriented lifestyles

In addition to making lampshades with a tasteful finish, we also recommend "dyeing old fabrics with onion skins. Dyeing old white shirts and eco-friendly bags with plenty of onion peels is popular as a way to transform them into lovable pieces of clothing. Staff/staff members say, "We hope that this experience will not only create memories of your trip, but also encourage you to think about how to choose eco-friendly and ethical products, and how to live in harmony with the countryside and nature in a cyclical manner. This Property is perfect for those who prefer deep, local travel.

Local Guide

There is also "ONLY FREE PAPER HAGI," a store specializing in free papers from all over Japan, where you will surely have a fulfilling time! Depending on the season, visitors can also experience harvesting vegetables.

Tsugihagi Farm

• 725 Oi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
• 5 minutes drive from JR Nagato Oi Station
• 10:00-16:00
• Open irregularly (consult upon reservation)
• Create a lampshade that will last a lifetime using bamboo paper made from Hagi bamboo: 6,500 yen (planned); plant-dye vintage fabric using onion skins: starting at 2,000 yen
  *Reservations required for both activities
• 090-1603-2441
• Available

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Tahara Tōbei Workshop

Experience painting Hagi-yaki pottery, which can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

It has been about 360 years since a Hagi-yaki kiln was opened in the Minose valley near Yumoto hot spring. At TAHARA TOBEI KOBO, the official kiln of the Mori family, visitors can experience Hagiyaki painting while preserving tradition and incorporating new sensibilities.
The process is as simple as writing your favorite characters or drawings in pigment on unglazed vessels before firing. This process is popular among everyone from children to adults, who can easily participate. After the Experience, glaze is applied and fired, so it takes about two months to complete the process. The completed vessels can be delivered to your home (additional shipping fees are required).

Visitors can also tour the climbing kiln located behind the studio. There is also a gallery where works of art are displayed.

A must-see during the Experience is the climbing kiln located behind the workshop. The stately appearance of the kiln reminds one of the long history of Hagiyaki pottery. Currently, the kiln is guarded by the 13th generation Tahara Tohei. To pass on Nagato's Hagiyaki to the next generation, he continues to produce magnificent and powerful works under the slogan of "succession, creation, and transmission.
The gallery in the studio exhibits and sells a wide variety of works created by Tohei and others. You may be able to find a lifetime of vessels that will enrich your daily life.

Local Guide

Reservations are not required for the painting experience, but as it is expected to be crowded on weekends, weekdays are recommended if you plan to go. It is about a 10-minute walk from Onyu, a drop-in hot spring bath in Yumoto Hot Spring. Don't forget to enjoy the hot spring!

Tahara Tohei Workshop

• 1403 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
• 5 minutes by car from JR Nagato Yumoto Station
• 8:30-12:00, 13:30-17:30
• Sundays, every other Monday, Obon and New Year's holidays *Closed days are posted on the website.
• From 2,200 yen
• 0837-25-3406
• Available