Tokyo was our starting point: a vibrant city that combines modern architecture, traditional elements and the special Japanese culture. Highlights included the Shibuya district and, of course, the fish market.
 |
 |
We combined our reunion with ceramist Yumiko Shimoya with a visit to her workshop near Kamakura . She produces beautiful tableware and vases there using the Shinogi carving technique, among other things. The city on the Pacific was a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle of the big city, and the statue of "the Great Buddha" is beautiful.
 |
|
On Shikoku, we hiked part of the 88-temple pilgrimage route. The temples and landscapes were impressive, but the encounters with other pilgrims are an even more precious memory.
We had chosen Okayama as the location for various day trips, the Korakuen Garden in the center is a historical place worth seeing with a beautiful view of the castle.
 |
 |
Ushimado is a quiet coastal town known for its craft market, which takes place every 2 years. There we found professionally crafted works made of wood, leather, copper and ceramics, among other things - all lovingly presented directly by the artists.
 |
 |
 |
In Hiroshima, we took time to visit the Peace Memorial Park and the museum. The history is emotional and impressively conveyed. The day trip to Miyajima Island with the photogenic Otorii Gate was a relaxing break, and the regional Okonomiyaki, a type of omelette, was a culinary highlight.
We then visited Kanazawa for the second time - a great city full of life with beautiful neighborhoods and galleries.
 |
|
To round off our trip, we visited one of Japan's most famous ceramics markets in Mashiko . The quality and variety of the objects were overwhelming. Due to limited capacity, we were unfortunately only able to bring selected pieces with us and presented them in our exhibition Japan Affairs In June 2025 .
These three weeks offered a balanced mix of urban culture, impressive nature experiences and traditional craftsmanship. The local encounters made the trip special. Japan is a great country: diverse, hospitable and deeply rooted in its history.
