Nagato Yumoto Onsen, the hot spring town in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, welcomes the 7th edition of "Utsuwa no Aki" (literally "Autumn of Vessels") from October 2 (Friday) to November 3 (Tuesday), 2026. Works from all five kilns and eight artists of Fukagawa Hagi ware are displayed at a main venue and four satellite locations scattered through the town, letting visitors experience the pottery tradition while strolling the streets. This year's theme, "Chagaippuku" ("A Cup of Tea and Sweets"), pairs the ware with specially made wagashi confectionery.
About "Utsuwa no Aki"
Since the hot spring town's renewal in 2020, Nagato Yumoto Onsen has pursued a townscape built around the theme of "Osoto Tengoku" ("Outdoor Paradise"), designed for visitors to enjoy strolling its streets. "Utsuwa no Aki," launched the same year, marks its 7th installment this year. All five kilns and eight artists of Fukagawa Hagi ware take part, exhibiting across venues scattered through the hot spring town so that visitors can experience the Hagi ware culture rooted in the Sannose district while walking the town.
This Year's Theme: "Chagaippuku"
The 7th edition's theme is "Chagaippuku." Wagashi artist Sae Ippozumi has been invited to create a slow, contemplative experience built around Fukagawa Hagi tea bowls — beloved as tea ceremony vessels since the Edo period — paired with seasonal wagashi. Visitors can enjoy the interplay between Fukagawa Hagi ware and wagashi at spots throughout the hot spring town, with staff on hand across the town to welcome guests as they take in the charm of Fukagawa Hagi ware on an autumn stroll.
The History of Fukagawa Hagi Ware and This Year's Artists
Hagi ware traces back to the late 16th century, when the feudal lord Mori Terumoto brought the Korean potters Yi Jak-gwang and Yi Gyeong to Japan during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea (1592-1597). About half a century later, in 1653, Kurasaki Gorozaemon and his relative Kanbei were granted permission to open an independent kiln in what is now the Sannose area of Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato City. They were later joined by the Akagawa Sukezaemon family and, finally, by Yamamura Heishiro Mitsutoshi, a grandson of Yi Jak-gwang, and in 1657 the "Sannose Yakimonojo" pottery works was founded. Over the roughly 360 years since, the Sannose Fukagawa kiln has built a firm reputation as a maker of tea ceramics. All five kilns and eight artists of the Sannose Fukagawa kiln take part in "Utsuwa no Aki," held since 2020:
- Shinbei Sakakura, 16th generation (42)
- Ikkei Sakakura (77) — holder of Yamaguchi Prefecture's Intangible Cultural Property designation for Hagi ware
- Zen'emon Sakakura, 10th generation (57)
- Sumiharu Sakata (48)
- Sadatsugu Shinjo (75) — holder of Yamaguchi Prefecture's Intangible Cultural Property designation for Hagi ware
- Tsuguhiro Shinjo (40)
- Tobei Tahara, 13th generation (75)
- Takao Tahara (44)
Opening Ceremony
An opening ceremony takes place at Onto on the first day of "Utsuwa no Aki." The Fukagawa Hagi artists will offer remarks and explain this year's program, and guests can join a tour of the venues after the ceremony if they wish.
Ceremony: October 2 (Friday), 2026, from 10:00 AM
Venue: Onto, Nagato Yumoto Onsen
Exhibition Venues
The main venue, "Machi no Bandai," is joined by four satellite venues scattered through the hot spring town, each showing a different side of Fukagawa Hagi ware. Visitors can wander the deepening autumn streets and immerse themselves in the world of Fukagawa Hagi ware.
Main Venue: Machi no Bandai
2270-5 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Serving as the gateway to Nagato Yumoto Onsen, Machi no Bandai is the first stop for visitors to the town. During "Utsuwa no Aki," works from all five Fukagawa Hagi kilns and eight artists are displayed together here, offering a relaxed overview of the Fukagawa Hagi world.
Satellite Venue: Otozuredo
More individualistic works, including tea ceramics and objets d'art, are on display.
2321-1 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Satellite Venue: cafe&pottery Oto
Cups, plates, and other everyday pieces are displayed and sold.
1261-12 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Satellite Venue: Otani Sanso
Sake vessels by Fukagawa Hagi artists are displayed in the gallery inside "Sazanka," the gift shop on the 2nd floor of Otani Sanso.
2280 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
Hours: 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 7:00 PM on weekdays; 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Check Otani Sanso's official website for closures.
Satellite Venue: Gyokusenkaku
A special display of Takao Tahara's "T Series," showcasing a new style of Hagi ware suited to everyday use.
1234 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Check Gyokusenkaku's official website for closures.
Special Program: A Wagashi Collaboration
Ahead of the event, wagashi artist Sae Ippozumi visited all five Fukagawa Hagi kilns, meeting the artists and their work to create wagashi matched to each vessel. During "Utsuwa no Aki," visitors can enjoy matcha served in Fukagawa Hagi tea bowls together with the wagashi born from those vessels at spots around the hot spring town.
Live Demonstration at Onto Plaza
At Onto Plaza, connected to the main venue Machi no Bandai, Sae Ippozumi will demonstrate live wagashi-making on the spot. Listening to the Fukagawa Hagi artists and Ippozumi speak in person while enjoying matcha and wagashi from a Fukagawa Hagi tea bowl makes for a memorable moment — a chance to savor the collaboration between Fukagawa Hagi ware and the wagashi it inspired.
Dates: October 17 (Saturday) and 18 (Sunday)
Details on time, price, and reservations will be announced on the official website.
Wagashi Artist: Sae Ippozumi
A winner at the Kyo-gashi Contest in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2025, Ippozumi also runs wagashi classes and creates made-to-order wagashi. Her work expresses a mystical worldview centered on the fragility and beauty of nature. She shares her creations on Instagram (@saewagashi).
Collaborations Centered on cafe&pottery Oto
cafe&pottery Oto, a cafe and gallery overlooking the Otozure River, is run by Fukagawa Hagi artists themselves. Throughout the event, visitors can enjoy tea bowls made by the artists together with special wagashi Ippozumi created for "Utsuwa no Aki." Other shops around the hot spring town will also offer their own collaborations with Ippozumi's wagashi during set periods. Details on participating shops, schedules, and offerings will be announced on the official "Utsuwa no Aki" website.
Pop-Up Events
Shops around the hot spring town will host pop-up programs during "Utsuwa no Aki," offering different ways to enjoy Fukagawa Hagi ware as part of daily life. Visitors are invited to discover Fukagawa Hagi ware anew while strolling the town.
Akebono Cafe
2229-1 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
When: Daily during the event, 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. No reservation required.
A tea box set pairing a Fukagawa Hagi tea bowl with dorayaki from Akebono Cafe, for enjoying an outdoor tea moment at a favorite spot in the hot spring town. Hagi ware on display in the shop can also be viewed.
cafe&pottery Oto
1261-12 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
When: October 14 and 15, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Reservation required (capacity: 5 people).
A roughly two-hour kintsugi repair experience, born from the wish for people to keep using their treasured vessels for a long time, open even to first-timers.
Gyokusenkaku
1234 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
When: Daily during the event, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. No reservation required.
Enjoy Nagato's special pudding served in vessels from Takao Tahara's "T Series," in Gyokusenkaku's renewed lobby space.
THE BAR NAGATO
1325-1 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
When: Daily during the event, 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM. No reservation required.
A limited-edition "Utsuwa no Aki" drink made with Nagato City's first craft gin, "Aube," served in vessels by Tobei Tahara, 13th generation.
365+1 BEER
1247-2 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
Check Instagram (@sanrokuroku_beer) for hours.
A special collaboration piece with 365+1 BEER is in the works. Through a display offering a glimpse into the making process, visitors can experience the meeting of Fukagawa Hagi ware and Nagato Yumoto's craft beer.
SOIL Nagatoyumoto
2257 Fukagawa Yumoto, Nagato, Yamaguchi 759-4103
When: Daily during the event, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Reservation required (1 to 10 people).
A Fukagawa kiln tour visiting the remains of the Fukagawa Hagi ware ancient kiln site — a designated cultural property of Yamaguchi Prefecture — and the Tahara Tobei workshop gallery, offering a look at the history and culture of Fukagawa Hagi ware.
Yudo Exhibition
Timed with "Utsuwa no Aki," a "Yudo Exhibition" will be held at Onto, the Nagato Yumoto Onsen bathhouse that won the top prize at the 2023 Yudo Culture Award. Yudo treats bathing as a path for centering mind and body, and the exhibition includes yudo-related pieces made by Shinbei Sakakura, 16th generation, of Fukagawa Hagi ware. (The Yudo Culture Award is presented by the Yudo Culture Promotion Association, a general incorporated association.)
Period: October 9 (Friday) to November 10 (Tuesday), 2026
Venue: Onto, Nagato Yumoto Onsen
Commemorative Cookies
Original cookies, sold only during "Utsuwa no Aki," will be available. Baked with local ingredients by ainone, a baked-goods brand based in Nagato Yumoto Onsen, these treats are exclusive to the season — a fitting companion to tea served in Fukagawa Hagi ware, or a souvenir from the autumn hot spring town. Details on pricing and where to buy them will be announced on the official website.
Event Overview
Dates: October 2 (Friday) to November 3 (Tuesday), 2026
Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: Nagato Yumoto Onsen
Admission: Free
Access:
- About 10 minutes by car from central Nagato City (about 30 minutes by car from Motonosumi Shrine)
- From the Mine direction: about 30 minutes by car from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway
- From the Shimonoseki direction: about 5 minutes by car from Nagato Yumoto Onsen IC (free section) on the San'in Expressway/Nagato-Tawarayama Road
Parking: Use the municipal and private parking lots around Nagato Yumoto Onsen. Nearby roads and parking lots are expected to be crowded on weekends during the event.
Official Website: https://fukawahagi.jp/utsuwanoaki2026/
