Bizenyaki Studio (inside Okayama Castle's Tenshukaku)

Located inside the reconstructed tower of Okayama Castle, this hands-on pottery studio lets visitors try their hand at creating Bizen-yaki, one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns and among the country's most prestigious ceramic traditions. Bizen ware is prized for its unglazed, earthy textures and the unpredictable patterns created by wood-firing, and the workshop guides beginners through the basics of shaping clay on a wheel or by hand. Finished pieces are kiln-fired and shipped to you within a few months. The studio offers a unique way to experience both Okayama Castle's dramatic black exterior, nicknamed 'Crow Castle,' and the living craft heritage of the surrounding Bizen region.