{
  "id": 7086857,
  "title": "Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/visiting-fukui-can-teach-travelers-how-to-make-and-smash-japanese",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T09:00:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SoraNews24",
    "slug": "soranews24",
    "url": "https://soranews24.com/2026/09/13/visiting-fukui-can-teach-travelers-how-to-make-and-smash-japanese-kawara-tiles-photos/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nUpon 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nAfter 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.",
  "summary": "Echizen Seramika shares the techniques for both as part of its cool factory tour. Factory tours are a fun sightseeing activity in Japan, and a lot of travelers like to pick out places that not only show you how their wares are made, but also give you a chance to sample them for yourself. Usually […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Echizen Seramika offers factory tour to learn kawara tile making.",
    "Clay undergoes cleaning, molding, glazing, and firing process.",
    "Kiln operates at 1,200°C for 24 hours to fire tiles."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}