Ontayaki Pottery Village: Our Favourite Picturesque Village in Oita Prefecture

We’re so fortunate to be in Kyushu, home to some of Japan’s most renowned pottery styles and techniques. One standout is Ontayaki Pottery Village, also known as Onta-yaki, a charming little town steeped in a rich pottery history. On an incredible, cloudy weekend, we embarked on a delightful two-hour drive to Onta the charming village of Onta-yaki.

Tucked away amidst a sea of blue and green hills, this village is a picturesque haven filled with traditional Japanese houses, inviting kilns, and creative studios lining the single main road. You can spot the delightful peaks of red brick chimneys peeking through the trees and buildings. Nearby, the cheerful sound of the river can be heard as it flows into wooden hammers, tirelessly breaking up the unique clay that Onta is known for.

In the 1500s, Korean potters introduced some new kiln designs and ash glazing techniques. You can still see these beautiful traditional practices alive in the town today! Onta pottery has been honoured as an Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. This designation means that they’ve chosen to keep the old ways alive, so modern machinery and methods are set aside to preserve the charm of traditional craftsmanship.

In Onta, where only ten households create beautiful ceramics, the art of pottery-making is lovingly passed down to the eldest son in each family. Yet, we still notice that many women in the area play a vital role, taking on responsibilities like mining, processing, and refining the clay. Each piece is not just a product of one individual but a testament to the spirit of Onta village. Here, everyone comes together, proudly claiming a share of the famous wares born from their shared efforts.

In one of the stores, we see a young man spinning plates on a wheel he is powering with his foot. We talk to the owner– his father – who has been making Onta pottery since his late teens.

We decided to enjoy lunch at a restaurant perched over the river. Just in time, as the storm overhead unexpectedly makes its presence known! With the rain pouring outside, we feel grateful to be cozy inside. We treat ourselves to the most delicious udon we’ve ever tasted and a warm coffee afterwards. Everything is beautifully served in charming Onta ware.

Before reaching home, we paused at a captivating rock face. A later Google search revealed it was Yabakei Gorge, renowned for its autumn foliage. We watched as a bike rode through tunnels carved into the boulders and couldn’t resist stopping to take some photos.

When we got home, it was time to go through all the loot we bought.

Here is our first meal on Onta pottery.