Otani-yaki: Naruto’s Pottery Village, Giant Jars and Hands-On Pottery Workshops (Tokushima)

Quick answer: Otani-yaki (大谷焼) is a pottery tradition from the Otani district of Naruto, Tokushima, dating back to 1780 and known for huge jars — including the vats once used for Tokushima’s indigo dye. Six kilns sit within walking distance of JR Awa-Otani Station, and several offer painting, hand-building and wheel-throwing workshops (from about ¥1,000–3,000; book ahead). The Otani-yaki Kiln Festival is on 14–15 November 2026. It’s about 10 minutes from Naruto IC, so it pairs easily with the Naruto whirlpools or Temple 1 of the Shikoku pilgrimage.

I live in Tokushima. I’ve been round the Otani-yaki kilns and bought pieces, and I’ve done pottery workshops here — both making pieces (on the wheel and by hand) and painting. Here’s how to visit.

What is Otani-yaki?

Otani-yaki began in 1780, when a potter travelling on the Shikoku pilgrimage showed villagers in Otani how to throw pots on a wheel. The local iron-rich clay gives it dark, earthy colours — browns, a deep metallic black, iron red — though you’ll also find bright blue glazes. It was named a national Traditional Craft in 2003.

Giant jars and the “lying-down wheel”

Otani is famous for very large pieces: from the Meiji era it made the big vats used for indigo dyeing, and today it still makes jars as tall as a person. The local pottery association says both these pieces and the climbing kiln that fires them are said to be the largest in Japan.

To make the biggest jars, potters use a ne-rokuro (“lying-down wheel”): one person lies on the floor and turns the wheel with their feet while another shapes the clay above. Mori Toki’s climbing kiln is a registered cultural property.

Visiting the kilns

Six kilns belong to the Otani-yaki association, all within about 5–15 minutes’ walk of JR Awa-Otani Station. Each has a shop where you can buy pieces, from small pieces to big jars and water-lily basins. I’ve been round them and bought pieces here.

• Hours: most open around 9:00–17:00. Closing days differ (some close on Wednesdays or irregularly), so check each kiln before you go.
• Kilns: Otani-yaki Motoyama-gama (tamura1784), Onishi Toki, Mori Toki, Yano Toen, Kami-gama and the Togyo Kaikan Bairi-gama.

Pottery workshops

I’ve done both kinds of workshop at Otani — making pieces on the wheel and by hand, and painting. Most kilns offer one or more of:

• Book ahead — most kilns ask for a reservation by the day before, and some take groups only.
• Cash may be required (Motoyama-gama’s workshops are cash only).
• Your piece is fired and sent to you about a month later. If you live abroad, ask the kiln whether they can ship overseas.

Otani-yaki Kiln Festival

• Autumn (52nd): 14–15 November 2026, 9:00–16:00, at all six kilns. About 20% off (15% if you pay by card), capsule-toy draws and exhibitions. Free entry.
• Spring: usually around late April (25–26 April in 2026).

Getting there

• By train: JR Naruto Line to Awa-Otani Station (trains run through from Tokushima), then 5–15 minutes on foot.
• By car: about 10 minutes from Naruto IC, or about 15 minutes from Itano IC on the Takamatsu Expressway.

See Renting a Car in Shikoku.

Combine it with

• Temple 1, Ryozenji — the start of the Shikoku pilgrimage, in the same Oasa district of Naruto. See Starting the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima.
• The Naruto whirlpools and the Otsuka Museum of Art. See Naruto Beyond the Whirlpools and Otsuka Museum of Art.
• For another pottery town in Shikoku, see Tobe-yaki.

FAQ

What is Otani-yaki known for?
Earthy, iron-rich pottery and very large jars, made with a “lying-down wheel” turned by foot.

Can I try making pottery?
Yes. Several kilns offer painting, hand-building and wheel-throwing. Book ahead.

How do I get there without a car?
JR Naruto Line to Awa-Otani Station, then a short walk to the kilns.

When is the kiln festival?
Every November (14–15 November in 2026), with a smaller spring festival in late April.

Kiln details, workshop prices and festival dates checked on the Otani-yaki Pottery Association, kiln and Naruto City websites on 28 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.