Kyoto is home to numerous shops that sell tableware and vases crafted one by one by individual artisans. These pieces, with the warmth unique to handcrafted items, gently complement your daily meals and enrich mealtime.
In this article, we’ll introduce shops in Kyoto where you can enjoy browsing for tableware, while providing the latest, up-to-date business hours.
Please note: Business hours, days off, and product offerings are subject to change. Since small, independently owned shops in particular often have irregular days off, please check their social media or official website for the latest business hours before visiting.
Table of Contents
- Pottery and More | A gallery shop featuring one-of-a-kind pieces by artists
- Sutachido | A select shop featuring vintage and artisan items (*Moved to a new location*)
- Places Where You Can Experience Making Shimizu-yaki Pottery
- Summary: Tips for Choosing Tableware
Pottery and More | A gallery shop featuring one-of-a-kind pieces by artists
Located near the Sanjo-kai Shopping District in Kyoto, “Utsuwa-ya Saisa” is housed in a renovated traditional Japanese home and features a wide array of artisan tableware collected from all over the country.
In addition to pottery and porcelain, the store also carries glass tableware, and one of its charms is being able to choose items by actually holding them in your hands to feel their texture and weight. Each piece of tableware, crafted with the maker’s care and passion, has its own unique character, allowing you to enjoy the thrill of finding that perfect match. There’s also a small café at the back of the store, providing a space where you can take a relaxing break between selecting pieces.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
| address (e.g. of house) | 263-1 Sanjo Omiya-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Phone | 075-366-3643 |
| Business Hours | 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Closed Days | Tuesday and Wednesday |
| Directions | About a 5-minute walk from "Nijo-jo-mae Station" on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line; about a 5-minute walk from "Omiya Station" on the Hankyu Kyoto Line and "Shijo-Omiya Station" on the Randen Line; and about a 12-minute walk from "Nijo Station" on the JR Line. |
| Official Website | https://saisai-utsuwa.com/ |
Since it’s within walking distance of Nijo Castle and the Sanjo-kai Shopping District, it’s conveniently located so you can easily incorporate it into your sightseeing itinerary in the Higashiyama and Rakuchu areas.
Sutachido | A curated shop featuring vintage and artisan items (*Moved to a new location*)
"Sudachido" is a shop that curates and sells a selection of vintage vases, tableware, and decorative objects sourced from overseas, along with works by Japanese artists. The white-themed interior feels just like a small gallery. With their distinctive shapes and colors, these vases can dramatically transform the atmosphere of a room with just a single piece. In addition to tableware, the shop occasionally carries miscellaneous goods and bags, and it also hosts solo and themed exhibitions from time to time.
The store was formerly located in Enmachi (Nishinokyo Minami-Enmachi, Nakagyo Ward), but it closed its Enmachi location at the end of 2025 and relocated to the “Kitano Shiraume-cho” area on February 21, 2026. If you try to visit using the original Marutamachi address, you’ll find the store closed, so please be sure to check the new address before heading there.
Current Basic Information (Kitano Shiraume-cho Store)
| Item | Details |
| address (e.g. of house) | 56-22 Komatsubara-Kitamachi, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (2nd Floor) |
| Business Days | Generally open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Closed on irregular days each month) |
| Directions | About a 10-minute walk from Randen (Keifuku Electric Railway) “Kitano-Shiraumecho Station” and about a 15-minute walk from Kinkaku-ji Temple |
| Official Website | https://sudachidou.com/ |
| SNS | Instagram: @sudachidou / X: @sudachidou |
Since business hours vary from month to month, we strongly recommend that you check the latest business calendar on the official website or social media (Instagram and X) before visiting. Another appealing feature is its convenient location, making it easy to stop by while sightseeing at Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Places Where You Can Experience Making Shimizu-yaki Pottery
① TOKINOHA Ceramic Studio (Yamashina, Kyoto)
Located within the “Kiyomizu-yaki Complex”—known as a center for Kiyomizu-yaki pottery—this facility combines a workshop, shop, and food stand. Visitors can watch artisans create pottery up close through the glass and purchase their creations.
| Item | Details |
| address (e.g. of house) | 8-1 Kawada Shimizuyaki Danchi-cho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Phone | 075-632-8722 |
| Business Hours | 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Closed Days | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday |
| Official Website | https://tcs.tokinoha.jp/ |
② Shimizu Hisashi Pottery Studio (Pottery classes taught by a former HOTOKI instructor)
Ceramic artist Hisashi Shimizu runs a pottery class under the name “Hisashi Shimizu Pottery Studio.” However, the program is primarily designed for students who attend on a regular, ongoing basis. If you are considering participating, please contact the studio directly in advance to confirm the latest enrollment status (Phone: 075-781-1353).
To Tourists: If you're looking for a casual one-day pottery experience in Kyoto, we recommend taking another look at the options around the Kiyomizu-yaki Complex and other pottery studios to compare them.
Summary: Tips for Choosing Tableware
- Be aware of changes in business hours at independent stores
Designer boutiques and select shops like the ones featured here tend to have irregular closing days and frequently change their operating hours from month to month. To be on the safe side, be sure to check their social media or official website right before your visit. - Check Takeout and Delivery Options
Glass and ceramics are fragile. If you plan to take them overseas, it’s a good idea to check in advance whether the store offers packing services or shipping options. - If you're hopping between different areas, make sure to allow plenty of time for travel.
Utsuwa and Saiza (Nakagyo Ward), Sudachido (Kita Ward, Kitano Shiraume-cho), and the Kiyomizu-yaki Pottery District (Yamashina Ward) are all located in separate areas within Kyoto City. If you plan to visit multiple shops in a single day, we recommend planning your route with travel time in mind.
If you happen to find a piece in Kyoto that feels just right in your hands, it will surely become a special treasure that not only serves as a memento of your trip but also brightens your daily meals even after you return home. Please take your time and search for a piece that you’ll truly love.
*Please note that the store information in this article (address, hours of operation, days closed, etc.) is subject to change. Be sure to check each store’s official website or social media for the latest information before visiting.
