Koishiwara, Former pottery village in Asakura district, Japan
Koishiwara is a former pottery center in Asakura district, now part of a larger municipality, where workshops and exhibition spaces are scattered among mountains and farming areas. The landscape includes water channels that historically supported the pottery trade and remain a distinctive feature of the area today.
The settlement was established as an independent municipality in 1889 in the Jōza region and was transferred to Asakura district in 1896, where it remained until its merger in 2005. This relocation reflected broader administrative changes in Japan during the period of municipal reforms.
The area is home to traditional pottery craftsmanship, with many artisans working with local clay using methods passed down through generations. Visitors can find workshops throughout the region where potters continue this daily practice and share their knowledge with apprentices.
Pottery workshops and exhibition spaces can be reached by local buses connecting the area to major transportation hubs in Fukuoka prefecture. Visitors should allow time to visit several workshops and navigate the hilly terrain at a leisurely pace.
Local potters use a distinctive glazing technique and natural materials found only in the surrounding mountains, giving the ware its characteristic appearance. These specific materials are difficult to source elsewhere, making the craft here truly one of a kind.
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