Spinning Top Cat: Pottery Painting Workshop

This is a hands-on experience where you can paint a replica of the nation’s only “Koma Cat,” enshrined within the grounds of the Kijima Shrine at Kotohira Shrine in Minamiyama Town. Cats were once “guardian cats” made of Tango chirimen silk, used to ward off mice that ate silkworms.

This is a hands-on experience where you can paint a replica of the nation’s only “Koma Cat,” enshrined within the grounds of the Kijima Shrine at Kotohira Shrine in Minoyama Town. The cat served as a “guardian cat” made of Tango chirimen silk to ward off mice that eat silkworms.

Reservations & Registration

How to Register: Apply via the official website of the Kyotango City Tourism Association, “Kyotango Navi”
Registration Period & Deadline: Up to 3 days before the tour date
Cancellation Policy: No-show on the day of the event... 100%

Basic Information

Season: Year-round
Closed Days & Excluded Dates: Year-End and New Year Holidays
Meeting Time & Hours of Operation: 10:30～15:00
Schedule: ① Registration
② No prior preparation is required.
③ Paint the unglazed cat-shaped spinning top with acrylic paint.
Duration: About 60 minutes
Group Size: Minimum 2 people – Maximum 20 people
Language Support: Staff: Japanese
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Pricing

List Price: Small Cat: 3,500 yen (tax included)
Large Cat: 4,500 yen (tax included)
Included in Price: Trial Fee

Access & Meeting Place

Meeting Place & Ticket Pickup Location: KISSUIEN Stay＆Food
943 Sugitani, Mineyama-cho, Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture
Parking Information: KISSUIEN Stay & Food (formerly Plaza Hotel Kissuien) or Kotohira Shrine
943 Sugitani, Mineyama-cho, Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture

Operator Information

Operator Name: Neko Project Executive Committee
Address: 943 Sugitani, Mineyama-cho, Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone Number: 0772-62-5111
Official Website: https://visitkyotango.com/tour-packages/komaneko-cat-painting/

Area & City/Town Introduction (Kyotango City)

Located at the northernmost tip of Kyoto Prefecture, the city’s entire northern coastline faces the Sea of Japan. It is blessed with a diverse natural environment, including the majestic coastal landscapes of the San’in Kaigan Geopark—designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark—as well as beaches with white sand and green pines and beautiful rural woodlands. With a rich culinary culture featuring fresh seafood, agricultural products, and fruits—a culture highly regarded for its quality—the city has garnered attention as a destination for food-focused travel, as evidenced by its receipt of the “Gourmet City Award” in 2024. It is also known as one of the prefecture’s leading hot spring resorts, and as a city where nature, cuisine, hot springs, and history and culture harmonize, it offers a variety of ways to enjoy the area throughout all four seasons.