Two mystery-solving walking events are being held at the Pottery Footpath (Yakimono Sanpomichi), a sightseeing area in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, letting visitors explore the town on foot while solving puzzles.
A Story-Driven Mystery for Adults
The circuit-style mystery event "Sleeping in the Earth, Touring the Colors: In Search of the Mysterious Lucky Cat" (土に眠る、色を巡る。～神秘の招き猫を探して～) started on Thursday, October 1, 2026. It is a full-fledged puzzle adventure told as a story, in which participants follow the clues left by a legendary master thief to track down the whereabouts of the "Mysterious Lucky Cat." Groups, couples and married couples in their 20s and 30s have been seen enjoying the puzzles with their heads close together. Participants who cannot solve a puzzle can ask for a hint through the official LINE account.
A Casual Walk for Children and Families
For children and families, there is also the Tokoname Sanpo Tanken Walk vol. 1 "The Fairy Living on the Walking Path, Kyusuneko" (常滑さんぽ探検ウォーク vol.1「散歩道に住む妖精 急須猫」). Using the hints on the problem sheet, participants look for Kyusuneko's hideout, collect keywords and uncover the secret. It is a walking-style puzzle that can be enjoyed casually.
About the Pottery Footpath
The Pottery Footpath is an area where visitors can feel the history of a town that has kept making Tokoname ware, with brick chimneys, kilns, slopes lined with clay pipes and narrow alleys. Walking its maze-like lanes while solving puzzles lets first-time visitors to Tokoname, as well as those who have walked the footpath before, see the town from a different perspective.
With autumn a pleasant season for strolling, the two events offer a choice between an immersive, story-driven puzzle and a lighter one that families can enjoy together.
Event Details
Sleeping in the Earth, Touring the Colors: In Search of the Mysterious Lucky Cat (土に眠る、色を巡る。～神秘の招き猫を探して～)
- Period: From October 1, 2026 (Thursday); planned to run year-round
- Fee: ¥1,000 (tax included)
- Time required: Approx. 1 to 2 hours
- Difficulty: For adults
- How to join: Purchase a puzzle kit at the Tokoname Tourist Information Center
- Where sold: Tokoname Tourist Information Center (3-8 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture)
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Tokoname Tourist Information Center)
- Details: https://www.tokoname-kankou.net/event/detail/726/
Tokoname Sanpo Tanken Walk vol. 1 "The Fairy Living on the Walking Path, Kyusuneko" (常滑さんぽ探検ウォーク vol.1「散歩道に住む妖精 急須猫」)
- Period: Year-round
- Fee: ¥300 (tax included); includes a Kyusuneko goods souvenir
- Time required: Approx. 1 hour
- Difficulty: For children
- How to join: Purchase a problem sheet at the Tokoname Tourist Information Center
- Where sold: Tokoname Tourist Information Center (3-8 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture)
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Tokoname Tourist Information Center)
- Details: https://www.tokoname-kankou.net/event/detail/16/
