The Shichiemongama Pottery in Yamagata City preserves the 200-year-old Hirashimizu-yaki tradition. It proudly uses local clay from Mt. Chitose that includes iron sulfide to make its pottery creations. Visitors can see and buy handcrafted Hirashimizu-yaki pottery and even observe craftspeople making them. If you want to get more involved, you can also participate in pottery workshops where you learn the basics hands-on, though these are generally held in Japanese, so you might need someone to interpret for you. If you are a connoisseur, you can also request the studio to create custom-made bowls, plates and more just for yourself and have them sent to you.