Pottery Fair Calendar

They are most concentrated in Golden Week (late April to early May) and in October. In autumn 2026, the Shigaraki Pottery Festival, Tanba Ware Pottery Festival, Bizen Ware Festival, Kiyomizu Ware Village Festival (KYOPO), Tajimi Pottery Festival and others are concentrated in October. For Golden Week 2027, the Mashiko Spring Pottery Fair starts on April 29, the Hagi Ware Festival (Spring) and the Mikawachi Ware Hamazen Festival on May 1, and the Shigaraki Artists Market on May 2. The Arita Pottery Fair is also held from April 29 to May 5 in a typical year. Check the individual dates in the monthly calendar on this page.

First, we recommend visiting the pottery market closest to you. There, you can see what kind of artists participate in the market, observe the foot traffic, and then gradually increase the number of pottery markets you attend each year, or even take a trip to a distant one, which will add to your enjoyment.

Many booths offer products at lower prices than regular retail because they are sold directly by the kilns and wholesalers. Additionally, many artists and kilns sell "imperfect items" (pieces with slight distortions or uneven coloring), which adds to the unique charm of the pottery market.

It is necessary. In recent years, cashless payment options have increased, but many stalls, especially those of independent artists, still accept cash only. ATMs near the venue can get crowded, so it's a good idea to prepare cash in advance.

As artists typically use simple packaging, please bring your own cushioning material and an eco-bag. If you purchase a large quantity, many pottery markets have shipping services available for home delivery (for a fee).