Mashiko Sankōkan Museum

Mashiko Sankokan Museum occupies five traditional buildings in this pottery village and holds collections of ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, and artisans' personal belongings. The buildings themselves reflect the style and values of Japanese craftspeople, with spaces designed to display objects in their proper context.

Founded in 1977 by Shoji Hamada, a recognized master of traditional pottery, the museum documents decades of craft practice and artistic exchange. The collections preserve how techniques and ideas evolved and passed between multiple generations of makers.

The museum displays works by multiple generations of potters who shared a common philosophy about craft and beauty. You can sense how these artists formed a close community dedicated to preserving traditional techniques while creating pieces for everyday life.

The location is walkable once you are in Mashiko village and easy to find with basic directions from local signs. Plan to spend several hours moving through the five buildings and examining the collections at your own pace.

The original climbing kiln on site reveals the firing methods Hamada used daily, and his former studio preserves personal tools and equipment from his working life. This allows visitors to understand the physical reality of how a master craftsman operated.

Location: Mashiko

Founders: Shōji Hamada

Official opening: April 1977

Part of: Mashiko, Mashiko ware, Shōji Hamada

Website: https://mashiko-sankokan.net

GPS coordinates: 36.47004,140.10835

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42