MaryMar's Trip to Japan: Part 2

5 Days in Kyoto

Kyoto Does Not Disappoint. After several days of making pottery in the rustic studio in Tokoname, I jumped on board the Shinkansen for a little city living in Kyoto. The past five days have been nothing short of magical—filled with culinary experiences, deep dives into Kyoto ceramics and pottery studios, temple wanderings, and biking adventures through this beautiful city.

Some highlights:

• Participating in a traditional tea ceremony

• Roaming the streets of Kyoto and soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells

• An unforgettable sushi experience at Sushi Azabu at The Sodoh in Higashiyama

• Visiting the iconic Kiyomizu-dera Temple and taking in panoramic views

• A standout meal at Ristorante Dono, blending Japanese and Italian influences

• Biking to the Philosopher’s Path and visiting the Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery

• Touring TOKINOHA, a handmade ceramic studio led by Daisuke Shimizu

I kicked things off with a traditional tea ceremony, then spent hours roaming the streets soaking in everything Kyoto has to offer...the sights, the sounds, the smells, the scenery, the ceramics and the food!

Later, I strolled through the narrow lanes in a sea of people on the pilgrimage to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The temple itself was grand, but the panoramic view from the top was a stunner. 

Dining in Kyoto

I had a "take me to my knees" sushi experience at Sushi Azabu at The Sodoh in Higashiyama. The space was serene and the chefs were mesmerizing to watch as they crafted each delicious bite presented on beautiful handmade ceramic wares. Swoon!

I continued tasting my way through Kyoto, indulging in another standout meal at Ristorante Dono, a newish Italian-Japanese fusion spot that celebrates farm-to-table dining with an elegant, pottery forward presentation. It was an absolute artistic flavor journey. 

Kyoto Ceramics and Pottery Studios

I later found myself traveling through the city by bike with my friend and fellow artist Sharon Virtue finding our way to the Philosopher’s Path and the nearby Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery. Robert, who’s lived in Japan since 1984, continuously curates one of the most impressive collections of Japanese ceramic masters I’ve ever seen. He’s a generous storyteller and an endless source of knowledge. It was a privilege to spend time learning from him.

I also had the opportunity to visit TOKINOHA, a handmade ceramic production studio led by master craftsman Daisuke Shimizu. (You can find the dishware of TOKINOHA at Quince in San Francisco). Daisuke and his manager Tadahiro visited the MMclay studio back in January while they were in SF and it was an absolute pleasure to meet up with them again and tour their space. Daisuke only speaks Japanese but it was clear that we share a similar language through our work and our love of clay. 

Riding a bike through quiet neighborhoods to get there was part of the charm, and seeing the studio in action was incredibly inspiring. It was interesting finding the similarities and the differences of how we run our pottery businesses. His work is exceptional and his spaces (both of them) are simply elegant. If you're passionate about ceramics, visiting Kyoto ceramics and pottery studios like TOKINOHA should be at the top of your list.

After soaking up some of this amazing culture and feeling incredibly fullfilled and inspired, I'm heading back to Tokoname for more studio work and to fire the anagama. Stay tuned...more MM clay-filled ceramic adventures await. Bring it, Japan!

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