Station Toki Minoyaki Kaido

Discover the Soul of Mino Pottery at Toki Minoyaki Kaido

Nestled in the heart of Toki City, Toki Minoyaki Kaido is more than a roadside station—it’s a celebration of Japan’s renowned Mino pottery tradition. Designed to resemble a traditional donburi bowl, the station stands as a tribute to the region’s deep-rooted ceramic heritage and its status as a national center for pottery production. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Japanese Alps and the scenic countryside, it offers travelers a unique blend of culture, craftsmanship, and local flavor.

Here, visitors can explore a vast selection of authentic Mino pottery directly from over 120 local kilns, all at competitive产地 prices. The hands-on陶芸教室 invites guests to create their own masterpieces using electric wheels or traditional hand-building techniques, making it a memorable experience for all ages. With a vibrant restaurant serving meals in Mino ceramic bowls, a regional product exchange corner, and a farm-to-table market featuring fresh local produce, Toki Minoyaki Kaido is a true destination for food, art, and connection.

Visit Toki Minoyaki Kaido to experience the only roadside station in Japan where you can create your own piece of Mino pottery using electric wheels, with classes offered by local artisans. Savor the signature donburi soft cream served in authentic Mino ceramic bowls—each one yours to take home. The station’s rooftop observatory also offers panoramic views of the Japanese Alps, making it a rare cultural and scenic destination.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM on weekdays to secure a spot in the electric wheel pottery class, as sessions fill quickly and the first session (10:00–11:30) is often fully booked by mid-morning.

• Hidden Gems: Check the back corner of the national roadside station product exchange area for seasonal limited-edition items, such as the “Hokkaido Seafood Ramen” or “Nagano Mountain Herb Salt” available only during the autumn festival.

• Weekend Special: On weekends, visit the farm produce counter between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM to buy the day’s first harvest of fresh strawberries, which are delivered daily from local farms and sold out by 11:30 AM.

• Best Photo Spot: Climb to the rooftop observatory just before sunset—arrive by 5:15 PM—to capture the best view of the Central Alps and the illuminated donburi-shaped building, especially during the autumn foliage season.

• Most Popular Food Item: Order the donburi soft cream at the café counter between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, when the full selection of six flavors (including matcha and black sesame) is available and the serving staff can assist with choosing a unique donburi ceramic dish from the rotating display.

• Actionable Experience Tip: If you plan to participate in the hand-building and painting class, arrive by 12:00 PM to ensure access to the full range of clay and paint colors, as supplies are limited and often depleted by 1:00 PM.

• Pro Tip for Souvenirs: Purchase the donburi-shaped ceramic dish with your soft cream and take it home immediately—these are only available while supplies last, and the shop stops selling them after 5:00 PM each day.

Spring (March–May): Fresh bamboo shoots available at the farm stand; peak season for pottery workshops with spring-themed ceramic designs.

Summer (June–August): Daily handmade bread and seasonal soft serve in ceramic bowls; summer pottery events held in July.

Autumn (September–November): Harvest of local vegetables at the farm stand; "Tea Bowl & Tea Pickling Festival" in October.

Winter (December–February): Reduced hours (9:00–17:00); cozy ceramic workshops and hot drinks available.