The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo

The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo is located in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. It introduces Hyogo’s ceramic culture, which has continued since the Heian period, and exhibits ceramic artworks. It also functions as a facility for fostering the next generation of ceramic culture through human-resource development and educational programs such as pottery workshops and lectures. Access is by taking Shinki Bus from Aino Station on the JR Fukuchiyama Line and getting off at the “Hyogo Museum of Ceramic Art” bus stop, right nearby. Tamba ware (Tamba-yaki), alongside Seto ware in Aichi and Shigaraki ware in Shiga, is counted among Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. At this museum, visitors can fully appreciate the appeal of Tamba ware as well as ceramics produced in Hyogo Prefecture. There are five exhibition rooms in total, and the museum holds both special exhibitions introducing Japanese and international ceramic works and themed exhibitions showcasing a collection of some 2,000 pieces of Tamba ware and other Hyogo ceramics. The facility also includes a restaurant featuring pesticide-free vegetables and an observation deck with panoramic views of Tamba’s satoyama countryside, making it a highly appealing and popular spot to visit when touring the Tamba region.