Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]

Echizen Seramika, located in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the traditional process of making Japanese earthenware roof tiles, known as kawara. The factory tour, available by reservation, begins with a video presentation that explains the basic production process, followed by a visit to the facility where the tiles are crafted firsthand.

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a massive clay pile, which is then carefully examined. Large rocks and other impurities are removed from the clay to ensure that the final product is of high quality and can withstand the heavy snow and high humidity that Fukui experiences throughout the year.

The prepared clay is then placed into molds and pressed into shape using specialized equipment. After drying, a glaze is applied to the tiles before they are fired in the kiln. Echizen Seramika's kiln is particularly impressive, measuring 61 meters (200 feet) in length and operating at a scorching 1,200 degrees Celsius (2,192 degrees Fahrenheit) for 24 hours.

After the tiles have been fired, they are ready to be shipped to customers, preserving and showcasing an important part of Japan's regional cultural heritage.