Welcome to Hokuto, Yamanashi, Japan!

Hokuto is located about 2 hours (drive/train) west of Tokyo, between Yatsugatake Quasi-National Park, Minami Alps National Park, and Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, and it’s about 1 hr drive to Mt.Fuji. Our city is about half the land size of the city of LA but with a population of only 45,000 people, mostly forests and farmlands. The natural beauty of Hokuto attracts creative types of people. Although Yamanashi is not known as a ceramic producing prefecture, there are quite a lot of ceramists, as well as other craftsmen, and artists living and working here. We are delighted to introduce you to the Japanese countryside life

Konnichiwa! 

I am Kozy, your workshop guide and translator! Let me introduce you to key members of Kandori kiln and Gasbon!

Kozy Kitchens (@kozyceramics)

Its me!  I am a ceramist/illustrator based in Yamanashi, Japan. I was born and raised here in Yamanashi and moved to California to attend university when I was 18. There I met my husband, Dan, and we formed the art duo kozyndan. We moved back to Yamanashi, Japan in 2020 to start a homestead/ artist retreat at our 140 year old farm house in the countryside. I began firing in wood fired kilns in 2018. Most of my ceramic creatures, Bunny Primitives, are fired using this traditional process. I am influenced by the ancient Jomon pottery that is found in this area of Japan.

Dan Kitchens (@dan.kitchens/@kozyndan) Dan is my husband and half of kozyndan. An artist, illustrator, and photographer, he is here for good times, stiff drinks and hard labor! 

He manually chopped firewood for this workshop! 

Emma Rose (@emmarose.ceramics) is a ceramic artist heavily inspired by the natural world in both material and form. 
Currently working in the Japanese countryside, she is embarking on a long term project of working with traditional woodfire kilns. 

After graduating from the Bachelor of Fine Arts Ceramics program at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Emma Rose discovered her deep passion for teaching through co-founding the Cosmic Clay Collective and working as a Senior Tutor at Clay Talk Montsalvat. Watch her video of 2024 anagama firing.

GASBON (@gasbon_gasbook) 

GASBON is a versatile art complex located in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Originally a factory that produced tripods, the buildings have been repurposed into a space designed to encourage experimental collaboration, foster community involvement, and provide urban creatives with a large, flexible workspace to explore new ways of creating. So far, a wide variety of artists and creatives have used the space, making GASBON a vibrant hub where people can learn from each other and build valuable connections. The location offers more than just a creative environment—it faces the Southern Alps and is surrounded by lush natural landscapes, making it a peaceful retreat where visitors can reconnect with nature. We hope that artists from all disciplines will be inspired by the unique qualities of the space and embark on their own creative journeys.

Kandori Kiln 

Kandori Kiln was built by Izumi-san and 2 other ceramicists about 30 years ago. Mitomi-san joined later on. The original members are very kind to accommodate me and artists from Gasbon, and teach us how to maintain and fire these kilns. Izumi-san and Mitomi-san are very humble masters, they are always down to learn from others and have fun. They built everything from reclaimed wood and materials, Kandori kiln looks very ramshackle but charming. I am always surprised by the unexpected results of my sculptures coming out of wood-fired kilns. The process is a collaboration with earth, water, air, and fire and it’s so magical.

Large Anagama 

You will have the opportunity to fire in this big beast. We will guide you through every step of the process. Please bring a few bisqued pieces (cone 10 clays). We have tested bee mix +sand, soldate, and they both worked great. This anagama takes about 90-100 hours to fire, and the kiln temperature goal is about 1250C (2280F), and we will hold 1230-1250C (cone 6-8) for about 50 hours. Please bring non synthetic clothes for your firing shifts, preferably heavy cotton or hemp with long sleeves, and long pants. Ambers from the firewood can make holes in synthetic fabric.

The photos below are, inside of amagama after loading, Emma inside the kiln (this anagama is big enough for 2 people) and after the firing.

Ittekoi and Raku (optional)

This tiny brick kiln (photo on the right) is called an ittekoi (12+ hours). You have the opportunity to fire in this little cutie as an option. You will have a few days to play and make works with japanese clays at Gasbon’s ceramics studio for this kiln. Bisque firing will be held on the day 10. There is also a small raku kiln next to the ittekoi (video below), so we can simultaneously fire both kilns on the day 13. You may make 1-2 raku clay tea cups. 

Accomodations

Kando stay 4-8 people, This large rental home has 3 bedrooms (double-triple beds) and 1 single room (TV room with sofa bed). It’s walking distance to the supermarket, Daiso, laundromat, drug stores, the express highway bus stop from Shinjuku bus Terminal, convenient store Lawson, and the post office (3-8 minute walk), and Gasbon (30 minutes walk). The house has vegetable garden, a sauna for 2 people, and a big Japanese style soaking bath. It’s the most conveniently located, although somewhat close to bigger roads, so they might hear cars. The neighbors of Kando Stay prefer quiet people. No hanging out outside after 9pm. Kando Stay actually fines their guests 30,000 yen  if the neighbors complain about the noise. 

Kozy and Dan’s 140 year old farm house. We can host up to 2 people at our house. It’s about 20 minute walk to the super market, Lawson’s, drug stores, and the express bus stop. They will have 2 Japanese style rooms and their own toilet (modern toto washlet). We share the bath and kitchen. Our house is 15 minutes walking distance to Gasbon and Mangosteen, so if they want to work at Gasbon’s ceramic studio and eat/drink at Mangosteen, our house is the best option. They will have access to Kozy most of the time, She can translate, and share Japanese culture. Dan or Kozy can drive them to the supermarket, etc. Recommended for participants who want to immerse themselves in the Japanese countryside village lifestyle (it’s like homestay). We have 2 very friendly cats! We do not have western style beds (mattresses in bed frames), so they will be sleeping in traditional Japanese style, on double futons mats on the floor. The beams and doorways are lower because it’s a very old house, so please be careful not to hit your head if you are tall!

Yomoyado, This newly renovated house has 2 bedrooms - 1 western style room with 2 beds and 1 Japanese style room (where you would sleep using traditional futon). It’s ideal for 3-4 people. It’s about 10 minute drive from Kozy and Dan’s house. Not many businesses are within walking distance, so you will be dependent on us or Emma to drive you, but it is a comfortable, clean contemporary home. If more than 7 people sign up for the workshop, we will rent this house.

Your fees

• US$3390 (accommodation $1100, workshop fees $1960, group meals $330)

Shared room at Kando Stay or Yomoyado or Private Japanese room at Kozyndan’s

• US$3690 (accommodation $1400, workshop fees $1960, food $330) 

Single rooms (private) at Kando Stay or Yomoyado

$1100 - $1400 deposit is required to reserve your spot, paid by Feb 20th, 2025

Remainder of balance to be paid by April 15th, 2025

Included in workshop fees

• Accommodation: 16 nights 

• Most of ground transportation during the workshop dates (excluding travels outside Yamanashi during days off) 

• Meals: one welcome, one farewell dinner, and 6+ group meals (Please check restaurant lists)

• Entrance for all included group activities (Ex. Jomon Museum, Onsen, Gasbon Studio rental etc) 

•Translation services (Japanese-English)

• English guidance during loading of the kiln, wood-firing, and unloading, Japanese clays for additional ittekoi and raku firing, bisque firing, and ittekoi, raku kiln firing

Not included in tour fees

• Airfares to and from Japan

• Airport transfers to and from start and end meeting points

• Travel insurance

• Meals other than those specified above

• Lodging incidentals including alcohol, laundry, additional meals, etc. 

• Kandori stay charges fine of 30,000 yen if neighbors complain about noise after 9pm

• Any additional cab and driver needs requested 

• Additional hotel nights or transportation during kiln cooling days must be arranged and paid for on your own

• Any additional workshop requested by the group. Here are optional workshops.

Cancellation policy

1. Tour cancellation and refunds: In the event that the tour is canceled due to low enrollment or other reasons beyond our control (natural disasters, terrorist attacks, etc), all workshop and meals related payments made previously by you will be refunded back to you in full by May 17th. Once we've registered your spot on the tour, we advise that you do not book flights or other services until the tour has filled the minimum number of 5 required participants and the tour is confirmed by us around Feb 22nd, 2025.

2. Personal cancellation and refunds: We cannot refund the initial $1100-1400 deposit. We cannot refund full amount after April 15th if you cancel because of personal reasons as our work starts immediately after. Please plan your schedule accordingly. However, if you really have to cancel, you are welcome to transfer your spot to a friend or to another future tour.

There is no refund for arriving late or leaving the trip early.

All rates in US dollars

Itinerary

Day 1,  5/17/2025 (Saturday) 

Arrive in Hokuto, Yamanashi, check into Kando Stay (and Kozy and Dan’s house, or Yomoyado). Hokuto is about 2-3 hours away from Haneda, 3-4 hours from Narita airport. So If they are coming straight from the airport, they would arrive at night time around 8pm. We will help to figure out the transportation for each member. 

Day 2, 5/18/2024. (Sunday)

Probably everyone will be jet lagged and wake up around 4am. We will have an orientation meeting in the AM. Visit our local gallery Gasbon, bring bisque work to the kiln, go to the supermarket, etc. We will start loading the back of the kiln. 

Group lunch at Mangosteen (@mangosteen_hokuto)

Ex. Zazen meditation workshop in the AM. 

Day 3, 5/19/2024. (Monday)

Kiln loading day.  Studio day. 

Day 4, 5/20/2024. (Tuesday)

Kiln loading day or free day. They can go hiking, onsen, winery, or explore the area. Studio Day. 

Day 5, 5/21/2024. (Wednesday)

We usually start firing the kiln around 9:30 AM. Firing shifts will be between 3 and 6 hours long. We will talk to our members and figure out the best shift schedule.  Switch from kerosene burner to firewood around 650C, Kiln temp target 800C by 1AM. Studio Day. 

Day 6, 5/22/2024. (Thursday)

2nd day of the firing, kiln temp target 1250 (max)C around 3-4PM 

Day 7, 5/23/2024 (Friday) 

3rd day of the firing, kiln temp, hold it at 1250C 

Day 8, 5/24/2024 (Saturday)

4th day of the firing, kiln temp, hold it for 1250C, finish by 3-4PM. 

Group dinner 2. Ex.  Hotarushokudo (@hotarushokudou)

Day 9, 5/25/2024 (Sunday) 

free day, (kiln cooling day 1) 

They have a total of 5 days to travel elsewhere. If some members want to focus on more ceramics, they can use Japanese clay and make work during Day 1-5, bisque fire on the day 10, load the work on day 11-12, and fire the little brick wood-fire kiln called Ittekoi on day 13, all day. There is wood-fired Raku kiln as well at Kandori Kilns. 

Load the electric kiln at Gasbon to bisque fire for ittekoi. Optional field trip to Matsumoto Craft Fair.

Day 10, 5/26/2024 (Monday)

free day (kiln cooling day 2) 

Ex. Kintsugi workshop, Sushi lunch, Jomon museum, ceramics shop

Day 11, 5/27/2024 (Tuesday)

free day (kiln cooling day 3, open the damper) 

Unload the bisque, Load the tiny ittekoi kiln in the AM. 

Ex. Onsen in AM, udon lunch, Natural Dye workshop in the PM. 

Day 12, 5/28/2024 (Wednesday) 

free day (kiln cooling day 4) 

Ex. Lake, Lunch at Kuu house, Stamp workshop. 

Day 13, 5/29/2024 (Thursday) 

free day (kiln cooling day 5) 

Ex. Ittekoi , Raku firing workshop. All day. 

Day 14, 5/30/2024 (Friday)

Free day (kiln cooling day 6)

Group Dinner 3. Ex Coan

Day 15, 5/31/2024 (Saturday) 

Kiln unloading day (the most fun or disappointing day)! Talk about firing and work, pack work, clean the kiln and kiln shelves.  If they fired ittekoi on day 13, we can unload the ittekoi on day 15. Packing, Ship luggage to the airport, etc 

Day 16, 6/1/2024 (Sunday)

Packing, relaxing, 

Group dinner at kozyndan’s. We will invite people and have a big dinner! 

Day 17, 6/2/2024 (Monday)

Check out of lodging, leave for the airport or other destinations.