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Make your own handmade bowl at Touki, a local pottery studio near Yufuin Station offering fun, beginner-friendly classes for families and travelers of all ages.

Touki Yufuin is a traditional Japanese pottery shop with a tiled roof, wooden exterior, large windows, and pottery displayed on a table outside. Its rainy, and lush greenery surrounds the building.

A Rainy Day Surprise Turned Creative Highlight

When we saw rain in the Yufuin forecast, we searched for indoor alternatives to our usual sightseeing plans. That’s when Nami discovered Touki (とうき), a small local pottery studio just a 5-minute walk from Yufuin Station. It ended up being one of our favorite experiences in town.

Pottery Class That’s Fun and Easy for Everyone

Touki offers a hands-on pottery class that lasts about 45 minutes. It’s relaxed and beginner-friendly, making it a great choice for kids, adults, or anyone curious about Japanese ceramics. The owner welcomed us warmly and showed us how to center the clay and shape a bowl using the potter’s wheel.

Our kids went first, with our help guiding their hands as the clay spun beneath their fingers. It was trickier than we imagined, but also more fun. When it was our turn, we quickly realized that shaping a symmetrical bowl is much harder than it looks.

Shaping Clay, Sharing Memories

A man shapes clay on a pottery wheel inside a wooden room at Touki Yufuin, while a child stands nearby watching. Buckets and pottery tools are placed on the table, completing the serene scene.

What we enjoyed most wasn’t the finished bowl, but the time spent working together. Guiding the clay, helping each other, and seeing each piece slowly take shape made it a fun and meaningful family activity. We left with a better appreciation for how much care goes into handmade pottery.

Your Own Handmade Souvenir

Six unfinished Touki Yufuin clay bowls of varying sizes are arranged on a wooden plank inside a pottery workshop with wooden walls in the background.

After the class, the studio fires your pieces in a kiln and can ship them anywhere in Japan for a small extra fee. When we see the bowls in our house now, it reminds us of that afternoon in Yufuin and the fun our family had trying something new together.

Why Touki is a Great Yufuin Activity

Touki’s pottery class is perfect when the weather turns rainy, but we’d recommend it no matter the forecast. It’s close to the station, doesn’t take much time, and leaves you with something far more personal than a store-bought souvenir.

How to Get to Touki (とうき)

Train

  • From Yufuin Station, exit the station and head towards the main street. The shop is a short and pleasant 5-minute walk from Yufuin Station, located near the start of the Yunotsubo Kaido area.

Is Pottery at Touki in Yufuin Worth It?

Yes for sure! Especially if you’re looking for something meaningful, creative, and different from the usual sightseeing. Pottery at Touki gave us a break from the crowds and connected us to a slower, more hands-on part of Japanese culture. For families, couples, or solo travelers, it’s a wonderful way to make a memory that’s truly your own.

More to Explore Nearby

After getting creative at the Touki Pottery Experience in Yufuin, unwind with nearby scenic walks, relaxing onsen, and local culture just around the corner.

  • Kinrin Lake – A short walk from central Yufuin, this tranquil lake is known for its misty morning views and peaceful walking paths.
  • Yunotsubo Kaido – Browse sweet shops, craft boutiques, and quirky museums along this bustling street in the heart of Yufuin.
  • Beppu Bamboo Weaving – Just a short drive away, explore Beppu’s 400-year-old bamboo craft tradition with hands-on exhibits and artisan demonstrations.

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