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ideas for my trip to japan?

updated mon 30 sep 96

 

John Baymore on sun 29 sep 96

Hi all.

From the "dream of a lifetime" department...............

I am lucky enough to be going to Japan in mid-October for about 18 days, and was
wondering if anyone out there on the CLAYART list had any suggestions, tips,
must see's, or whatever to share with me. I would appreciate any and all
suggestions whether it is about general travel in Japan or is more pottery
specifc.

I am flying into Narita and spending a very brief time in Tokyo on the way in
and out of Japan. The first part of the trip is pretty "fixed"..... I will be
in Mashiko for a week. I then will travel south and stay in Hikone on Lake Biwa
as a base to visit Kyoto, Shigaraki, and the Seto/ Tajimi area. That part of
the trip I have more flexibility to make sudden changes of plans.

I will have a Japan Rail Pass for the second part of the trip, so JR trains are
"paid for". That allows some freedom of travel from the Hikone area.

Any particular potters in those areas that I should visit? Museums?
Bookstores? Shrines? Whatever?

Anyone in those areas of Japan on CLAYART that is willing to be bored to death
playing tourguide for a day (or a few hours) with a visiting Amerikajin togeika?
Nihongo ga s'koshi dekimasu.

Also, I will be flying into Japan via Seoul, Korea. Any suggestions for
something to do/see that is right near the airport? I have a short layover that
might afford a little quick sightseeing time.

Certainly the general travel suggestions should come to me via direct e-mail at
76506.3102@Compuserve.com. If you think the rest of the list members would like
to read any of the other more pottery specific information you can post it to
CLAYART.

Thanks in advance.

..........................john


John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA

76506.3102@Compuserve.com
http://www.CraftWEB.com/org/jbaymore/rivrbend.shtml

Don Sanami on sun 29 sep 96

A-Stay away from all of the large cities...expensive. Visit Mashiko if
possible.Not so much for the pots although the Hamada museum is
interesting.Visit Namai,Keiko and her pottery,(Close friend). Kyushu has
many potters and is not quite as hectic as Mashiko area...Arita is close
by and includes the oldest clay pit for stoneware,in Japan. It is
difficult NOT to find potters. ALL of my visits have been fruitful. There
continue to be many small villages. If you were going for an extended
visit I would recommend that you travel many of the old,narrow pathways
from village-to-village Bon voyage! Don Morrill & Isao Sanami.