This is the biggest pottery and arts festival in Ibaraki and attracts nearly 550,000 visitors each year. More than 200 artists, craftspeople and gallery owners exhibit their works at the festival. Each exhibitor sets up their own tent and displays. Even if pottery isn’t your thing, this festival is worth visiting just to see the individuality and artistry that goes into each display. 

Exploring the festival is hungry work but there are plenty of food stalls to sample throughout the day. Many of these stalls are also run by local artists who bring their creativity to the kitchen to serve exciting fusion dishes and fun twists on classic Japanese festival food. 

A variety of events take place during the festival period including a clay mask auction, musical performances and special exhibitions by local children. Children can also try making their own clay models and using a potter’s wheel. 

Information

• LOCATION・CONTACT

  LOCATION Crafthills Kasama Park

  CONTACT Kasama City Tourism Division Tel: 0296-77-1101

  WEBSITE http://www.himatsuri.net/

• ACCESS

  By public transport: From Kasama Station on the JR Mito Line, take the festival shuttle bus or Kasama City Sightseeing Loop Bus. Alternatively, bikes are available to rent from the tourist information at the station. It takes around half an hour to walk to the festival from Kasama Station/ From Tomobe Station on the JR Joban Line, take the festival shuttle bus or Kasama City Sightseeing Loop Bus. By car: On the Joban Expressway way, exit at Iwama IC and take Route 355. Alternatively, take Route 50 from Mito IC. On the Kita-Kanto Expressway, exit at Tomobe IC and take Route 355. From the Tochigi/Gunma direction on the Kita-Kanto Expressway, exit at Kasama-Nishi IC.

  PARKING 1300 spaces Normal cars ¥500 Mini buses ¥1000 Tour Buses ¥1500

• HOURS・CLOSED・ADMISSION

  HOURS Late April - eatly May (during the Golden Week series of national holidays each year) 09:00 - 17:00