On Kawagoe Ichiban Machi Street, the original Hara Family Residence (原家住宅) nowadays houses a pottery and china gallery. In contrast to the stately and solemn exterior, the interior of Fine China Store Yamawa (陶舗やまわ) is bright and stylish. Not to mention the intricate ceramics on exhibit, which you can bring home!
The pottery shop’s building was built in 1893 as a kimono store. Yamawa then later relocated from Tokyo to here in 1920.
A pottery workshop at the back of the gallery offers locals short and long-term classes. They also have a one-hour trial plan and a pottery coloring plan. But note you have to wait for 1.5 months before the final product can only be shipped to you. Moreover, please confirm with the workshop whether they can send it to an overseas address if you don’t live in Japan.
For more information, refer to their website HERE and translate it to English using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
Cafe Torocco (陶路子)
In addition to the pottery, many customers visit it for its cafe, Torocco. Many celebrities have visited the cafe, including past Japanese emperors and empresses!
Although there is only one lunch option, it is a must-try! The Satsuma-imo Mini Kaiseki (さつまいもミニ懐石) is a sweet potato-based Kaiseki cuisine tastes heavenly. If you weren’t told that the majority of the meal is made of sweet potato, you wouldn’t realize it!
The cafe’s shaved ice is also worth ordering!
Note that most of the ceramics used at Cafe Torocco are also sold at Fina China Store Yamawa. So if anything has caught your attention in the cafe, check with the staff to see if you can bring it home!
You can refer to their full menu HERE on the Japanese official website.
Tip: Make a reservation for Satsuma-imo Mini Kaiseki in advance. This not only ensures you can enjoy the unique Kaiseki cuisine, but the cafe can also exclude meat and seafood for you. Just note that they won’t be able to make a vegetarian croquette. However, you can ask them if they can replace it with something else.
To book, refer to the official website HERE and send them an email by clicking the mail icon at the bottom of the webpage.
Fine China Store Yamawa and Cafe Torocco’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Fina China Store Yamawa is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Cafe Torocco is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
- Lunch hours are between 11:45 am to 3 pm.
- The shop and the restaurant is closed on Wednesdays unless it is a public holiday.
- Fina China Store Yamawa and Cafe Torocco are around a 15-minute walk from Honkawagoe Station and a 25-minute walk from Kawagoe Station.
- You can also take a bus from the station and get off at Ichibanmachi (一番街).
Other Recommended Dessert Shops and Cafes Along Kura no Machi Ichibangai Street
When you visit Kawagoe (川越), Kura no Machi Ichibangai Street (蔵の街一番街) being on your itinerary is a must. The street isn’t just about Kawagoe’s landmark, Toki no Kane Clock and those old black-plastered luxurious warehouse-style houses. The historical ambience and the shops and restaurants that line the road have attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists every year!
So, refer to our article on the Must-Visit Dessert Shops and Cafes on Kura no Machi Ichibangai Street!
Other Attractions in Kawagoe
Kawagoe’s historical area has many attractions, shops, cafes, and workshops that might interest you. You might also want to visit a couple of interesting shrines and temples and perform simple rituals that might boost your fortune!
So, refer to our Guide to the Little Edo, Kawagoe, for more travel ideas!
