Aizu-Hongo station (会津本郷駅 Aizuhongō-eki) is in the Hongō area, the town of Aizu-Misato (会津美里町 Aizumisato-machi).
There is a town known for its potteries and porcelains, Hongō ware (本郷焼 Hongō-yaki), in the area.
The history of Hongō ware started from about 1590.
They say that its origin was that Ujisato Gamō (蒲生氏郷), who was a feudal lord in Aizu at that time, ordered them to make a lot of roofing tiles to build a castle.
Full-scale production of pottery began when a craftsman of Seto (瀬戸) ware was hIred in about 1640.
The current number of the potteries in the area is thirteen.
Munakata-gama
Hongō ware became nationally famous by a pot, Nishin-bachi (鰊鉢), produced by a pottery named Munakata-gama (宗像窯).
The pot is for making a local dish in Aizu, pickled herrings with Japanese pepper (鰊の山椒漬け Nishin no sansyō-duke), and the pot won the grand prize in Brussels International Exposition in 1958.
I hear that some people use it for a wine cooler and as a bowl used in Japanese flower arrangement.
Munakata-gama has the biggest climbing kiln in Tōhoku (東北) region.
It made me feel very impressive
Another typical pottery of Hongō ware is Ryūmon-yaki (流紋焼).
Many their products have a characteristic design of glaze.
There are several potteries in the area at which you can experience making pottery at are in the area, but Ryūmon-yaki can handle large groups of visitors.
You may often find their products at even souvenir shops in Aizu-wakamatsu.
Speaking of Hongō ware, I mostly think of their products.
A market is held in the morning on the first Sunday in August, when the town which is usually quiet, becomes very busy.
The market is open from 4 a.m. to 12 p.m., and there was such a large crowd even though before 7 a.m.
Products of potteries in other areas too seemed to be sold in the market.
A tourist facility with a souvenir shop and an information center is located in the center of the Hongo area.
You can buy products of almost all the potteries in the area there.
In addition, you can see the historical products of Hongō-yaki.
I do recommend visiting there if you are interested in Japanese pottery and porcelain.
You can also go to the Hongō area (the information center) by bus as there is a shuttle bus from the Aizu Bus terminal.
The climbing kiln of Munakata-gama is worth seeing.
For your information, a shop “Setouemon (瀬戸右衛門)” which introduces Hongo ware was opened in Aizu-Wakamatsu in April of this year.
The shop has some products of the thirteen potteries of Hongo ware too.
Why don’t you drop in and see there when you visit Aizu, if you got interested in.
Map
Hongo-ware informatin center
3161-1,Setomachi,Aizumisato,Oonuma-gun, Fukushima
Setouemon
In Nanukamachi Patio, 2-40, Nanukamachi,Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima