Kyoto
京都
YOUR CITY GUIDE - NOVEMBER 2026
Prepared for Sarah & James Morrison
Y
Yuki Tanaka
Ceramicist - Higashiyama district - Kyoto resident since 2009
Y
Yuki Tanaka
Ceramicist - Higashiyama district - Kyoto resident since 2009
Y
Yuki Tanaka
Ceramicist - Higashiyama district - Kyoto resident since 2009
Yuki Tanaka
Ceramicist - Higashiyama district - Kyoto resident since 2009
Y
Yuki Tanaka
Ceramicist - Higashiyama district - Kyoto resident since 2009
Y
Yuki Tanaka
Ceramicist - Higashiyama district - Kyoto resident since 2009
Tramica
Tramica
PRIVATE GUIDE
PRIVATE GUIDE
DO THESE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS
1
Book Kichisen for dinner — tonight if possible
Three Michelin stars. Books three months ahead. I have spoken to the reservations manager and told her you are coming — mention my name when you call. You want kaiseki on Thursday the 17th
Call +81 75-761-1188 →
2
Confirm your kiln visit with Mori-san
I have arranged a private morning session at Mori Ceramic Studio on the 16th, 8am. He is expecting you. Reply to confirm and he will send the address — it is not on any map.
Email Mori-san →
FROM YUKI
The Kyoto I actually live in
"I have been making ceramics in Higashiyama for fifteen years. I know every kiln, every clay supplier, every craftsperson who is doing something genuinely new — and I know the ones who are coasting on the tourist trade. I have written this guide as if you were a close friend I was sending to a city I love. I want you to find the real one."
FOOD & MARKETS
CERAMICS & CRAFT
FOOD & MARKETS
CONTEMPORARY ART
7 NIGHTS . NOV 14-21
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
CERAMICS
WHERE I EAT
MAP
PRIVATE STUDIO - ARRANGED ACCESS
Mori Ceramic Studio
森陶芸スタジオ · Higashiyama
WHEN
Nov 16 - 8:00am
DURATION
~2 hours
COST
No Charge
ACCESS
By introduction only
✉
Introduction made. Mori-san is expecting you on November 16th at 8am. Reply to his email to confirm. Mention you are Yuki's guests.
"
Kenji Mori was my teacher for three years when I arrived in Kyoto. He does not tafke visitors. I asked him as a personal favour and he said yes. He will spend two hours with you — not explaining what he does for tourists, but showing you what he is actually working on. This is a conversation between practitioners, and you are invited to listen in. Do not be late.
— Yuki Tanaka
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The ash glaze he is currently working on
Unlike anything being made commercially in Kyoto right now
The ash glaze he is currently working on
Unlike anything being made commercially in Kyoto right now
The ash glaze he is currently working on
Unlike anything being made commercially in Kyoto right now
📍
MAP
EMAIL MORI SAN
✉
PRIVATE STUDIO - ARRANGED ACCESS
Mori Ceramic Studio
森陶芸スタジオ · Higashiyama
WHEN
Nov 16 - 8:00am
DURATION
~2 hours
COST
No Charge
ACCESS
By introduction only
✉
Introduction made. Mori-san is expecting you on November 16th at 8am. Reply to his email to confirm. Mention you are Yuki's guests.
"
Kenji Mori was my teacher for three years when I arrived in Kyoto. He does not tafke visitors. I asked him as a personal favour and he said yes. He will spend two hours with you — not explaining what he does for tourists, but showing you what he is actually working on. This is a conversation between practitioners, and you are invited to listen in. Do not be late.
— Yuki Tanaka
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The ash glaze he is currently working on
Unlike anything being made commercially in Kyoto right now
The ash glaze he is currently working on
Unlike anything being made commercially in Kyoto right now
The ash glaze he is currently working on
Unlike anything being made commercially in Kyoto right now
📍
MAP
EMAIL MORI SAN
✉
ALL LOCATION
ALL LOCATIONS
Your map
Mori Ceramics Studio
CERAMICS
Asahi Gallery
GALLERY
Kichisen
KAISEKI
Nishiki Market
MARKET - 6AM
Shin-Shin
RAMEN - LUNCH
MA Gallery
Contemporary Art
"I am available throughout your trip — for questions, for real-time recommendations, and for anything the guide did not anticipate. If something changes, if somewhere disappoints, if you stumble on something I have not mentioned and want to know what it is — send me a message. I will respond within a few hours. I hope you find the real Kyoto. It is worth looking for."
YOUR EXPERT
Y
Yuki Tanaka
Ceramicist - Higashiyama district - Kyoto resident since 2009
Tramica expert since 2026
Message Yuki during your trip
✉
Email for longer questions
Yuki will send a personal note on December 5th — two weeks after your return — to hear how the trip went. Her feedback loop is genuine, not automated.