It happens only once a year, when the pottery artisans of Yomitan Village band together to have a super pottery market. This year the event takes place this weekend at a Gala Aoiumi facility next to Hotel Nikko Alivila on Yomitan coast.

Shisa of all shape and size, plates, bowls and sake vessels comprise the bulk of merchandize at Yomitan Yachimun Pottery Fair this weekend.

Some 20 pottery makers of the Yomitan Village come together with the town’s top artisans to open studios, shops and displays to the public.  The event runs 10 a.m. ~ 7 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, and is sponsored by the Yomitan Yachimun & Technical Market Executive Committee.

Yachimun market is one of Okinawa’s most famous pottery fairs, where handmade Yomitan Village shisa, pots, vases, cups sake jars and more are on display and for sale. After the war, ceramists mainly from Naha’s Tsubogawa district that had been destroyed in the war moved to Yomitan, and started the process, which has developed through the years.  Yachimun pottery is available this weekend for sale, or visitors can have a meal from a hand-made Yachimun vessel.  There’s so much pottery, many people say they feel like they’re in an art museum, surrounded by nature.

Potters from Yomitan are showing their wares, selling them, and explaining the pottery process.  There’s also a studio of Jiro Kinjo, a living national treasure potter, in Yomitan..

To get to the Gala Aoiumi drive north from KAB on Hwy 58. Turn left on Route 6 towards Torii Station, and then continue past it. Follow signs to Nikko Alivila, and then drive past the main entrance and the wedding chapel of the hotel. Gaia Aoiumi is 300 meters south of the entrance.

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