Pottery Workshop in Tokyo for English Speakers — Small Classes in Kichijoji
NEXT CLASS
Wednesday, September 30, 10:30–13:00 — 3 seats left
Two travellers have already booked this class, so it is going ahead. I can take three more people.
Traveling alone? You’re very welcome — this class already has two people booked.
¥15,000 per person · 2.5 hours · taught in English · Tell me you’re coming →
Visiting Tokyo?
Join ceramic artist Aya Ogawa in her private pottery studio in Kichijoji, Tokyo — a hand-building pottery class in English, for beginners.
No experience needed — just bring yourself and your curiosity.
Everything you make is shaped by your own hands. It’s slower than the wheel, and I think that is exactly why the piece holds something of the person who made it.
And when it’s time to choose a colour, you’ll be choosing from my own glazes — mixed here in this studio, from my own recipes. I’ll fire your piece and send it to you.
Flexible dates for travelers
Most of the people who come to my studio are visiting Tokyo for a week or two. So rather than asking you to fit my calendar, I work around yours.
English classes are usually on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, 10:30–13:00, when my assistant can join us to help with English. If your trip doesn’t include a Tuesday or Wednesday, tell me your dates anyway — I can sometimes open another day.
Classes run with two people or more, up to five. Traveling alone? Write to me anyway — I keep a short list, and when another traveller asks for the same week I can often put the two of you together.
BOOK A WORKSHOP
Send me the dates you’re in Tokyo and how many of you there are.
I’ll reply within 1–2 days. Nothing to pay to ask.
→ or message me on Instagram @little07tokyo
A pottery class in Tokyo for complete beginners
These days, we often spend our time immersed in the digital world of our smartphones. That’s why I believe in the importance of reconnecting with nature. The way soft clay transforms into a beautiful ceramic piece is simply magical and awe-inspiring. The peaceful moments spent creating can be soothing, sparking imagination and excitement. The world of pottery is both beautiful and deeply fascinating.
I would love to share this special time with you.
One by one, each participant will create a piece of artwork using a hand wheel. Anyone aged 12 and up is welcome to participate, even if it is your first time. Anyone under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
You will have plenty of time to create your favorite shape and object at your own leisure.
What a workshop looks like
What kind of people are today's members? Some are from outside of Tokyo and some are from other countries. These are the members who will spend a peaceful time together.
Get away from the daily routine and get in touch with nature. Each of us enjoys the time to face the clay.
First, let's learn the basics of pottery. We will make a palm-sized bowl. The clay is softer than expected. Carefully, little by little, carefully. By proceeding slowly and calmly, your mind will be at ease. Don't worry about failure, pottery is natural, so it is difficult, and it is interesting that it doesn't turn out the way you want, and it is common even for professionals to get cracks. It is important to be open-minded and to enjoy finding your own ideas, even if there are some cracks. I am sure that you will create wonderful works of art during the time you spend making pottery.
My own glazes
At the end, you decide which piece you want to fire, and you choose its glaze. These are not ordinary glazes. I mix them here from my own recipes, and they are the same ones I use for my own work — you won’t find them in another studio. The blues and greys move in the kiln, so no two pieces ever come out the same.
This is the part I love most about pottery, and it is the part you can only find here.
What you take home isn’t a souvenir from a class. It’s a piece we made together.
If you would like to fire more than one piece, you can. I take care of the rest of the work to complete the vessels you have made.
What's included
- 2.5 hours of hands-on pottery
- All materials & tools
- Step-by-step guidance in English
- Glazing & kiln firing
- Apron rental
What to bring: Nothing. Just come as you are.
Who can join: Beginners welcome. Ages 12 and up — anyone under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Class size: Two people or more, up to five.
Things to Keep in Mind : Please trim your nails short, as long nails make pottery work difficult.
Courses & Pricing
There are two ways to join. Both are open to anyone — the difference is the date and the language of the class.
| Course | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Private-date class I open a class around your travel dates, and teach the whole session in English. My assistant is with us to help. International shipping arranged. This is what most visitors choose. |
2.5 hours |
¥15,000 per person (about US$100) |
|
Scheduled class Join one of the dates already on my calendar. This class is taught in Japanese. If you live in Japan and are comfortable in Japanese, this is the one to choose. |
2.5 hours |
¥9,500 per person (about US$65) |
Additional pieces: +¥5,000 per piece for glazing & firing. It varies depending on the size.
How booking works
1. Tell me your dates. Send me the days you’re in Tokyo and how many of you there are.
2. I confirm your spot. I’ll reply within 1–2 days with a time. Once I say yes, the spot is yours.
3. Payment. Once your date is set, I’ll send you a link so you can pay online. Nothing to pay before that.
Your piece, two months later
Pottery takes time. After you leave, your piece dries, gets bisque-fired, glazed, and fired again.
- Ready in: about two months
- Pick-up: in person at the studio, or I’ll ship it to you
- International shipping: available worldwide, charged at cost (as a guide, around $40 USD per piece, depending on size)
- I’ll send you a message before it ships.
It usually arrives long after you’ve come home, when the trip has already turned into a memory. People tell me that’s the best part.
Questions people ask me
Do I need any pottery experience?
None at all. Most of my guests have never touched clay before. I’ll be next to you the whole time.
Can I come on my own?
The English class runs with two people or more. If you’re travelling alone, write to me anyway — I keep a short list, and when another traveller asks for the same week I can often put you together. (The class on September 30 already has two people, so you can join that one.)
Do you speak English?
My own English is simple, but my assistant joins us to help, and pottery is taught with hands more than words. I’ll be right beside you.
Can I choose the colour?
Yes. You’ll choose from my own glazes — blue, white or grey — the same ones I use for my own ceramics. How they come out of the kiln is always a little bit of a surprise, even to me.
How long does it take?
About 2.5 hours. There’s no rush — you’ll have plenty of time to shape what you want.
When will my piece be finished?
About two months. Drying, a first firing, glazing, then a second firing — pottery simply takes that long.
Can you ship it to my country?
Yes, worldwide. Shipping is charged at cost — as a guide, around $40 USD per piece, depending on size.
What should I bring? What should I wear?
Nothing at all. Aprons are here. Just wear something you don’t mind getting a little clay on, and please trim your nails short — long nails make the clay difficult to work.
Can children join?
Ages 12 and up. Anyone under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who is welcome to join the class too.
How do I get there from Kichijoji Station?
It’s a 13-minute walk from Kichijoji Station (JR Chuo Line / Keio Inokashira Line). I’ll send you a map and directions once your date is set.
How do I book, and when do I pay?
Send me your dates and I’ll reply within 1–2 days. Once the date is set, I’ll send you a link to pay online. Nothing to pay before that.
BOOK A WORKSHOP
We’d love to welcome you to the studio.
Step 1 — Tell me your dates
Send me the days you’re in Tokyo, how many of you there are, and any course you have in mind.
I’ll check my calendar and reply within 1–2 days.
Step 2 — Confirm & pay
Once your date is set, I’ll send you a link to complete your booking online.
→ or message me on Instagram @little07tokyo
Location
Atelier Little
Kichijoji, Tokyo
13-minute walk from Kichijoji Station (JR Chuo Line / Keio Inokashira Line)
→ Google Map
Bicycle parking available. No car parking on site.
Cancellation Policy
Please let me know at least 7 days in advance to cancel or reschedule.
Cancellations within 7 days are subject to a 50% fee, and same-day cancellations to the full fee.
I hold the studio just for your group, so please let me know as early as you can.
We’d love to welcome you to the studio.
Feel free to reach out anytime — we’ll make it work.
Aya Ogawa × Atelier Little
@little07tokyo | ayaogawa.net
Last updated: July 2026
