Mashiko Reference Collection Museum An international and domestic art collection of potter Hamada Shoji, a pioneer of the folk craft movement who introduced Mashiko-yaki ware as a form of art. Hamada died in 1978 at the age of 83. In addition to the exhibit, Hamada's home, studio, and kiln have been moved to the site and are disclosed to museum visitors. Admission: Adults 800 yen / Open 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., closed Mondays, year-end and New Years, the month of February / 0285-72-5300 5-min. bus ride from Mashiko Station

Mashiko Togei Mura (Ceramic Village) 6 buildings with whitewashed walls make up this folk village. In addition to Mashiko-yaki ware, indigo dye products made at local studios are displayed and sold here. The wooden buildings are rather small, but the studio atmosphere enhances the beauty of the displayed items. The modern art gallery and tea salon are also open to village visitors. Free Admission / Open 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., closed Fridays / 0285-72-5955 3-min. walk from the Mashiko Reference Collection Museum

Tsukamoto Tsukamoto has one of Mashiko's largest kilns. Situated in a mountain village near Togei Mura (Ceramic Village), Tsukamoto has a parking lot with a capacity of 500 cars. Craftsmen at work can be observed, and pottery classes are offered at the workshop. With added features such as the shopping plaza for Tsukamoto's original ware and a special exhibit at the Sakkakan, this large-scale facility resembles an atmosphere of a pottery theme park. The subsidiary store Togei Hiroba Tsukamoto is located closer to the station and features Binro gallery, Ai tea salon, Asagi crafts and others. Free Admission / Open 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. open everyday (observation hours: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., closed Thursdays) / 0285-72-5151 10-min. taxi ride from Mashiko station

Higeta Indigo Dye Workshop

15-min. walk from Mashiko Station

Saimyo-ji Temple Although Mashiko is known mainly for its pottery, this ancient temple dating back to the early 8th century deserves attention as well. A statue of the 11-faced Goddess of Mercy is the main image of worship at Saimyo-ji which is a temple of the Buddhist Shingon sect founded by a monk Gyouki in 737. The temple has one of the four famous 3-storied pagodas in the Kanto Koshinetsu area, a gate built in the Muromachi period (1392 - 1573) which is now a designated cultural asset of Japan, and the nation's only laughing Enma devil. Saimyo-ji Temple is worth visiting for its historic value. 10-min. taxi ride from Mashiko Station.