Hasami(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Bessho Town, the top boutique stay is Sakura no Yado, a former pottery workshop transformed into a design hotel blending traditional craft with modern elegance. Each room features handcrafted Bessho ware ceramics, and guests can join workshops to create their own pieces. Another standout is Haneuma Ryokan, a family-run inn near the Bessho Pottery Museum, offering private kaiseki meals served on custom-designed tableware. Both provide immersive access to Japan’s "Three Great Ceramics" heritage.

The central district of Bessho Town is ideal for travelers seeking authenticity. It surrounds the Bessho Pottery Art Museum and hosts dozens of working studios, galleries, and artisan shops. This walkable zone includes charming wooden houses and narrow alleys where you can hear the rhythmic spin of pottery wheels. Staying here grants immediate access to hands-on workshops, local festivals, and evening lantern markets that illuminate the historic streets.

Bessho Town is one of Japan’s "Three Great Ceramics" regions, renowned for its high-fired stoneware and distinctive glazing techniques. Visitors can participate in full-day pottery classes at Bessho Ware Heritage Workshops, using local kaolin clay under expert guidance. Some experiences even include traditional wood-firing kiln sessions, where ancient methods transform raw clay into enduring art. The annual Bessho Pottery Festival showcases over 100 master potters, making it a must-attend cultural event.

Yes, Family Tougei Stay is a top choice for families, featuring child-sized pottery wheels, a garden play area, and rooms designed for multi-generational stays. Kids enjoy mini-pottery kits and guided lessons creating small bowls or animal figures. The inn also offers family ceramic dinner sets, where meals are served on handmade dishes. Nearby, the Bessho River Trail invites nature walks and discovery of local wildlife.

Evenings in Bessho Town offer enchanting experiences. The Bessho Night Lantern Market lights up the town with glowing pottery stalls and artisan booths open late. Some ryokans host pottery light shows, projecting intricate designs onto walls using illuminated ceramic pieces. At Haneuma Ryokan, nightly tea ceremonies accompanied by live shakuhachi flute performances create a serene, meditative atmosphere perfect for relaxation.

Touenkyu is a secluded, century-old pottery family home now operating as a private retreat. Its original timber beams, stone hearths, and curated collection of antique Bessho ware make each room feel like a living museum. The inn hosts intimate late-night pottery salons for select guests, fostering deep conversations about craftsmanship. Surrounded by forested hills and quiet kiln fields, it offers unmatched tranquility.

Many inns pair cuisine with ceramics—guests dine on kaiseki meals served in hand-thrown Bessho ware bowls. Restaurants like Toukouya offer curated tasting menus where dish presentation matches the color and texture of the ceramics. Some lodges even run ceramic & cuisine pairing workshops, teaching how tableware influences taste perception and enhances the sensory journey of Japanese food.

Yes, Bessho Town is easily reachable via JR Nagasaki Main Line from Nagasaki Station, taking just 30 minutes to Bessho Station. From there, free shuttle buses connect to central attractions. The town also offers guided tour buses that loop between museums, studios, and craft markets. For a more scenic route, rent bicycles to ride along the Pottery Path, a scenic trail through rice paddies and kiln-lined lanes.

With four distinct seasons, lodging choices vary accordingly. In summer, opt for wooden inns with cross-ventilation and shaded courtyards, like Bessho Green House, to beat humidity. Winter calls for heated tatami rooms and hot spring baths, such as those at Hana Kogen, which overlook snow-covered kilns. Most inns offer seasonal amenities like warm sake sets in winter and cooling fans in summer, ensuring comfort year-round.

During the annual Bessho Pottery Festival (May), many inns offer special packages including limited-edition ceramic souvenirs, festival tickets, and guided tours led by artisans. Some host nighttime walking tours through illuminated markets, sampling grilled fish cooked in clay pots. Festive events often feature temporary exhibitions of award-winning works, allowing guests to engage deeply with local traditions and craftsmanship.