On January 24, 2026 (Saturday), the Koriyama Tourist Information Center on the 2nd floor of JR Koriyama Station will host a unique sake tasting experience featuring Ohori Soma Ware pottery from Toukichirou Kiln. Participants will enjoy comparing local sake from Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, using specially designed sake cups called "iki." This special event offers visitors the opportunity to experience firsthand how the shape and texture of the cups affect the aroma and taste of the sake.
About Ohori Soma Ware and Toukichirou Kiln
Ohori Soma Ware is a traditional craft from Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, many pottery kilns were forced to relocate outside the town. However, Manabu Kondo, the 9th generation master of Toukichirou Kiln, was determined to "fire pottery in Ohori," and has become the only kiln operating in the Ohori district, working to revive the traditional pottery production area.
At this event, participants will taste local sake from Namie Town using the kiln's sake cups. The event features the "iki" sake cup, specially designed for Japanese sake, allowing participants to experience how the shape and rim of the cup change the aroma and flavor of the sake. The sake served will be from Suzuki Shuzo Store, another Namie Town establishment.
Manabu Kondo will also be present at the event.
Event Details
Date: January 24, 2026 (Saturday)
Time:
- Session 1: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- Session 2: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Schedule:
| Activity |
|---|
| Opening and event introduction (3 minutes) |
| Self-introduction by Manabu Kondo, 9th generation master of Toukichirou Kiln (3 minutes) |
| Lecture on Ohori Soma Ware, Toukichirou Kiln, and the history of the pottery production area (14 minutes) |
| Explanation of the "iki" sake cup (5 minutes) |
| Sake tasting comparison (30 minutes) |
| Closing |
Location: Koriyama Tourist Information Center (2F JR Koriyama Station, 195 Hiuchida, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture)
Admission: Free
Capacity: 10 people per session (first-come, first-served)
Registration: Online or in-store
Details and registration: https://www.d-department.com/item/DD_EVENT_66575.html
About Manabu Kondo, 9th Generation Master of Toukichirou Kiln
Born and raised at Toukichirou Kiln, a pottery workshop producing Ohori Soma Ware. Following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear accident, he evacuated from the production area and continued pottery work while living in Iwaki City. In 2018, he established a full-scale kiln in Yotsukura, Iwaki City. After the evacuation order was lifted in 2023, he returned to Ohori and resumed pottery production. Currently, he is the only potter operating in the Ohori district, working on restructuring and preserving the traditional production area.
About Toukichirou Kiln
The founder of the Kondo family pottery business, the first-generation Kondo Heikichi (1736-1818), was born as the sixth son of Edo samurai Kondo Tonnosuke. He trained in Kyoto-style Raku pottery and started his career as a Raku potter in Edo. In 1777 (An'ei 6), he was appointed as a porcelain pottery instructor by the Aizu Domain. Later, he moved to the Miharu Domain, where he trained over ten disciples and made significant contributions. The second-generation Kondo Toukichirou (1789-1857) produced excellent Raku pottery works with his father Heikichi in Miharu. After Heikichi's death, in 1819 (Bunsei 2), he was appointed as an Ohori Seto pottery master by the Soma Domain and established roots in Ohori. His techniques and spirit have been passed down to the 9th generation Manabu Kondo and his successor Masaru Kondo.
Toukichirou Kiln Website: https://www.toukichirougama.com/
About Koriyama Tourist Information Center & D&DEPARTMENT FUKUSHIMA
Under the theme of "creating an exciting tourist hub that connects people, things, and events in Tohoku," the facility reopened in March 2023, attracting new visitors as "the starting place for travel."
D&DEPARTMENT FUKUSHIMA
As the first D&DEPARTMENT store in the Tohoku region, which discovers and introduces long-life design products loved in local communities, it officially opened in June 2023.
Through displays and exhibitions showcasing regional characteristics such as traditional crafts and food, it proposes new travel styles and introduces the shining people, fun events, and excellent products of Tohoku as a regional information hub.
"Mono no Mawari" Exhibition
The name "Mono no Mawari" (Things Around Things) embodies the continuous connections that create healthy craftsmanship and living. Regular exhibitions are held in the tourist information center space, based on the "surroundings" of regions, lifestyles, industries, environments, and communities.
*Currently displaying "Shimizu Yakusou-ten's Mono no Mawari" through January 31 (Saturday)
Promoting Universal Tourism
To realize universal tourism where everyone can enjoy traveling with peace of mind, the facility has been certified under the "Barrier-Free Minded Tourism Facility Certification System" and provides various services.
Service Menu:
Writing interpretation app, wheelchair rentals, baby stroller rentals
