Izushi Pottery is created with one stone called kakitanitoseki, and the artform is said to have emerged in the Edo period (1603-1868).
At the 1904 World Expo, Izushi Pottery gained international recognition after receiving a gold medal.
Now, it is registered as one of Japan’s national traditional crafts.
Although Izushi Pottery is known as Japan’s “pure white” ceramic art, traces of blue accents are the most common color compliment found painted atop the smooth white surface.
Almost every visitor to Izushi Castle Town will come into contact with Izushi Pottery, and this is thanks to Izushi’s local delicacy Izushi Sara Soba!
These special buckwheat noodles are served on five small plates for one serving – a unique way to display the town’s beautiful Izushi Pottery in abundance.
With approximately 40 soba noodle restaurants in town, Izushi Pottery has been the canvas of many shops’ unique plate designs.
Historical plate designs are also on display at the Izushi History Museum.
Besides soba noodle plates and other tableware like chopstick holders, wind chimes, jewelry, incense holders, and even clocks are regularly for sale at Izushi’s multiple Izushi Pottery shops and souvenir stores.
Summertime in Izushi Castle Town welcomes endless lines of wind chimes, all created with Izushi Pottery.
Shop List
Nagasawa Brothers Pottery
92-1 Izushicho Uchimachi, Toyooka, Hyogo 668-0214
Kouyoutouen Izushi Porcelain
57 Izushicho Yagi, Toyooka, Hyogo 668-0225
Ueda Ceramics Shop
21 Izushicho Tainosho, Toyooka, Hyogo 668-0233
Yamamoto Porcelain
106 Izushicho Honmachi, Toyooka, Hyogo 668-0224
Izushi Pottery, known for its smooth white surface, was born in Izushi Castle Town.
Traditionally relegated to dishes and vases, Izushi Castle Town’s Izushi Pottery in recent years has also given life to chopstick rests, wind chimes, and even jewelry which can all be purchased at shops around the charming retro town.