A fun activity to do with your partner or friends! Hide provided us with aprons and crocs to prevent our clothes from getting dirty... appreciated that You get a 20min lesson on techniques and the instructors did a very good job with this! You are then left by yourself to create your own masterpiece. The instructors are always there to guide you and they never leave you hanging. They allow you to make two piece so that even if you mess up the first one you have the chance to redeem yourself with the second piece! All in all a lovely experience!! read more

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It's this studio! I was recently chatting with my Physio in Squamish about my only pottery experience around 5 or 7 yrs ago in Van where I was shamed in front of another student for not listening to him (owner) that I should sign the bottom of my pot (vase). I didn't know he uses said carving of our initials under the pot to identify customers' finished product. In my mind I just don't want the bottom with my initials and my pot is completely ruffled so I know I can identify mine later on so I didn't sign it thinking it's not a big deal coz it's my pot after all. When he found out AFTER glazing that I didn't sign the bottom he became visibly upset. He literally raised his voice on me saying "I am master" and that I am just his student. I was in shock as a paying customer for being scolded in a very humiliating way to a point I left the store teary eyed. I had to stop my boyfriend at a later pick up from wanting to confront this shop owner for acting shockingly unprofessionally. I am sad that after many years he does not appear to have changed based on other reviews. If u still want to go, make sure u don't attempt sculptures - JUST pots which is obviously his craft. Otherwise, you can tell from his facial reaction his lack of interest, even slight disapproval, of u are making other things that is not his instruction. read more

The negative reviews here are not exaggerating. I took classes here but dropped out after seeing how poorly Hide treats people: During my second class, an old woman came in with high spirits asking to pick up her granddaughter's work, which was apparently not ready. When she asked more about it, Hide rudely told her that he's "not going to waste his time arguing" and turned away, as if she had been anything but pleasant. She stood there literally trembling and looking emotionally traumatized. One of the staff saw this and got her granddaughter's work out of the back area. She took the pieces and practically ran out the door. Personality wise, Hide is self-engrossed and clearly believes that he is a creative genius. He openly scrons and shits on anyone who does not admire him deeply, laugh at his jokes or wish to emulate his work. He told me that I wasn't creative, that my work looks "machine made", and that I should strive for more of an organic look, even though that's not what I wanted. So I squished my pot to one side (with no intention of keeping it), after which he came back to remark that it was looking much better. I never picked up any of my work. Finally, expect to be crammed into a small room with 14 other students, using multi-variant recycled clay that has little hard bits and the occasional hair mixed in and no electric wheel (it'll be a selection of metal cake stands that you will be manually spinning). He tries to squeeze out every penny he can from his students, capitalizing on the growing pottery trend. If you want to grow, learn and not feel attacked, try Roundhouse, Britannia or ANYWHERE else in this city for ceramics classes. This is one small business not worth supporting. read more

We did the 90 minute drop in class as a surprise for my birthday this past weekend and had SO much fun! The instructors, Ingrid and Patrick, were helpful, funny and really made everyone feel so comfortable (even if our works were on the brink of falling apart haha)! They were there when you needed them and gave you space to be creative, try your best and it was just so awesome! We will both definitely be going back again... and again... and again! read more

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I honestly wanted to love this place, but I left with pure sadness, disappointment, anger and short $140 dollars (cost for 2 people). My partner and I came in expecting to make two awesome ramen bowls but left with two oval rice bowls... do yourself a favor and go to 4cats on Main Street for the same experience and go to an amazing restaurant after for the same price. Honestly - at such a premium cost - I expect the instructor (HiDe) of the 90 min class to be attentive. This was not the case.... I expected a private session after reserving this time spot 2 months ahead, but he is off doing his own thing. He wasn't there to guide us nor did he check upon us frequently to see how we were doing. When I called to him, he sounded annoyed and was busy doing his own thing as if we were bottom of his priority list. Lastly, when I picked up the final artwork, the girl there even saw the result and agreed how oval and small it was... and explained that pottery tend to shrink 20% (but this was not 20%... more like 70%). She even saw and mentioned how sad I looked, and didn't do anything to make things better. We explicitly told HiDe our intent to make big ramen bowls several times and the result clearly showed that he just didn't care. Do yourself a favor and avoid the negative emotions I went through and check out 4Cats + spend that extra 70-80 dollars you will save on a nice dinner with your date. read more

This place is a total waste of time. I came here years ago looking to learn to make pottery. Hide was useless. He offered very little help and paid more attention to to the young Japanese female Students. I think he has a problem. I tried to stay with it at great expense but got frustrated with his lack of attention. at one point he called me a lazy spoiled Canadian! I was not going to pay for this. what I am is a sucker for spending my money here. Won't be back. Glad to have this opportunity to tell others. If you're a cute young Japanese girl you'll be fine. maybe there are other methods of payment of which I was not aware. read more

HiDe is the man. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to pottery and HiDe was the perfect guide. With him, I was able to make a ramen bowl, cup and a vase. 10/10 would come back! read more

Our entourage rolled up here for a GF's birthday "fun-thing-to-do" and it was indeed fun! HiDe is a small ceramic-making studio that can accommodate all 8 of us for a private class and we operates on a 4 on foot wheel and 4 on table basis. The instructor HiDe started the class with bowl and vase demonstration while we were madly kneading the brown practise clay. The clay we use for the craft is the white clay which is easier to work with. There are lots of feedback and support during class as the HiDe dances around to yield a helping hand. He is a gregarious person in a Japanese way- If you don't like straight up feedback and are easily offended then you might be nettled by his teaching with comments such as "no that's not possible to make that," or "you should wait for me before you do that..." Lol The cost is $12 for studio fee and $2.50/100g of clay. Once you are done with your work, you can pick a colour/glaze and he will do the rest and have you pick up your work a week or two after. HiDe has made bowls and dishes for Gyoza Bar and Miku and you can order similar items from him as well. Can't wait to pick up my work soon! Cheerio! read more

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Took my wife for a drop in class( although booked ahead of time) our teacher Patrick was charismatic and entertaining while he taught and was knowledgeable and great at helping when mistakes were made as is to be expected in a beginner's class We can't wait to pick up our pieces read more

I wouldn't recommend this place for anyone who's planning to try out pottery for fun/recreation. A few of us signed up thinking it would be fun to try, but we all thought Hide (the owner/facilitator) needs to adjust his attitude in welcoming newbies. He was trying very hard to be funny, but was very rude instead. The place was very disorganized when we arrived. Hide's communication was very poor. Hide lacked communicating the basics of a simple introduction. Despite telling him that we were new, he just said "here" and disappeared. He is true to his name, good at "hiding." Most of the time was wasted on waiting for Hide and not knowing what to do since there was no introduction or tour of where things can be found in the mess. We hope Hide is using this feedback to IMPROVE! read more

This ceramics studio is my zen time away from my stresses! HiDe has mentored me in his techniques and I have totally improved with my confidence in making pieces over the course of a few months. read more

No way of getting in touch with anyone at HiDe. Came here for a 90 minute class and made a bowl. After about 2.5 months I wanted to come pick up my finished product that was already paid for in full, but because of the pandemic I wanted to make sure that they were open first before I make the long drive. After several attempts of reaching out to them via email and Instagram over the course of a week (because they do not have a phone number), I got no responses from them. Finally I drove out and arrived at their studio at 17:00 on a Saturday as their website says their Saturday business hours are "13:00-15:00 and 17:00-19:30". I was met with a male instructor who was clearly not interested in helping me or even listening to what I had to say. He said they were "currently closed" and opens at 17:30. I mentioned that the website states 17:00, to which he said "it might be outdated" - exactly why I wanted to confirm in the first place. When I said I tried reaching out via email and IG, he said "we don't do emails". Not sure what he means by that because I got my confirmation via email and under the "contact" section of their website it lists that same email. Then he said he was just there to "teach a class" and is "not in charge". When I asked if someone else would be coming in for 17:30 that could help, he said he would help me with pickup then. So I waited outside for 30 minutes. I opened the door and he tells me to wait outside until he's finished with something. I wait outside for another 10 minutes. He never came out to help me so I had to go inside again. After I got my product I asked him to clarify what he meant by "we don't do emails" - he rambled about how it depends on what my intention is in the email and that it has to be clearly stated. I told him again that I simple emailed to clarify the hours of operations. He does not answer the question then resorts to "you can email my boss about it." I ask him what email do I use to do that... guess what? It's the SAME email on the website that I already emailed. Extremely incompetent employee. He made it very clear that he did not care about the inconvenience and frustration that their lack of communication has caused. A complete waste of time. Stay far away from this place. read more

One of the most humiliating learning experiences I've had to endure, and I've been a university instructor for almost twenty years. The approach was ego-centered and indulgent. I learned little and ending up forfeiting the rest of the lessons for which I'd paid to avoid the experience of being in this workshop. There are too many people in the workshop at once, rather than focused lessons dedicated to people at specific learning stages. I wish I'd found a different instructor, because I will likely never take another ceramics class again. read more

I attend regular classes once a week and have been at this studio for a little over a year now. 90 minute drop-in sessions are available as well for those wanting to test the waters. Hide is a wicked instructor with over 30+ years of ceramics experience. Each class is a meditation practice for me and I always walk away feeling balanced. read more

Went with my daughter for a private lesson. The teacher was patient and so nice. We made 5 bowls, picked the glaze and went back a couple of months later to pick them up. They were beautiful. read more

I have been coming to Hide's regular class weekly for almost three years, and I have to say that Hide is a talented, knowledgeable and kind teacher. He always greets you with a big smile and a warm welcome. He treats every student equally and respectfully with humbleness and fairness. He shows care for students by always providing help and suggestions with his skills and knowledge, yet still leaving the space for students to be an independent thinker. He tries his best to run the studio with an organized system, so every student could get their finished pieces in a fair amount of time. Outside of class, Hide is a good friend who always listens to you and gives you feedback on life and on art making. The flexible regular class is where I would learn the most from. It is based on a ticket system where you could buy a set of 5 tickets and 5 coupons, and come in anytime after a simple booking online (so to see if any space is available). The good thing about regular class is that you could do pottery and socialize with all these wonderful classmates, in an environment with good music and good tea. Not to mention that this is a rare chance in Vancouver to learn about Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-sabi from pottery making. By being there for almost three years, I could see people coming for one day class almost every time I go for regular class. Hide is well prepared for the one day class with a systematic plan. He always starts the instruction with his funny jokes and have a consent form for students to sign. Then he would have everything set up for students, and guide them with simple instruction on how to build a bowl/vast/cup. The whole process looks easy and fun, and he will do all the messy works afterwards; you will just need to wait for a month to get the beautiful work! I know it is hard to deal with a number of things when having a business, but Hide always remains just, reasonable, and respectful when he faces problems and complains, and tries to solve the issue with the best he could offer. All in all, five stars! read more

It's great and wonderful pottery studio! I brought my mom here for her birthday. The studio is cozy and welcoming. We did the 90 min drop in class with a really friendly lady and she showed us how to make a bowl, a cup, and a vase as well. I ended up making a vase and my mom made a bowl. The glaze selections were beautiful and our pottery came out wonderfully! My mother really enjoyed her time here and it is definitely a place I would go back again with more friends. read more

We booked a drop in class and were very disappointed. Way overpriced, the owner was busy with other students most of the time and gave us a lot of attitude. I don't recommend this place. read more

Took my best friend here for her birthday present. We did the 90 min class and Hide is a knowledgeable and friendly teacher. It was a little intimidating at first because my best friend and I haven't touched clay or ceramics since high school! Hide showed us how to build a bowl and a cup. We decided we would both make big bowls and Hide encouraged us to have fun and if we had any questions to ask away. Once we were on the wheel, Hide kept reminding us to "have fun" and "enjoy" the moment...I'm sure he noticed we were stiff as heck with serious faces on. I really liked how he let us work on our clay by ourselves but would frequently come check up on us to make sure our clay was coming along and if it wasn't, he would guide us in the right direction. Hide's a great teacher who wants you to really have fun and enjoy his studio. My best friend and I took forever choosing colours and we were the last students too. Hide didn't seem to mind and kept telling us to take our time and that we should choose which ever color we were first drawn to. It's so true that color is subjective...colors my friend thought she saw a bit of blue in, I couldn't see any blue at all. Thanks Hide for a great class and for being super friendly and providing just enough guidance. We were very happy with the class and with our big bowls. Pricing is a little different than what's on the website for a 90 min class. It's $2.50 /100g with $12 studio fee and you choose the color and he glazes it for you. We can't wait to pick up the bowls we made and start using them as servings bowls. We're thinking of serving pasta or salads in our bowls. This is a great gift and bonding experience for loved ones or with a group of friends. read more

My partner surprised me with a private lesson for the two of us at HiDe ceramics and we had fun while we were there. He made a ramen bowl and I made a mug and I was really excited to see how they would turn out. Unfortunately, we never got to see the results. We followed the opening hours stated on the website and on Google maps and each time we went over to pick up our ceramics (we waited the suggested two months after our lesson and drove over at least twice), the studio was closed. This was frustrating enough since we live about 45 minutes away so we wasted an hour and a half each time we went over and it was closed. We finally tried to pick up our bowl and mug today (8 months after our lesson) and were extremely disappointed with our experience. When we asked the owner if he still had our pieces, and calmly and politely mentioned that we tried to come over mutliple times but the studio was closed, he made us go over to the back of the shop, raised his voice to us and said that he threw our pieces away and it was our fault for not coming earlier. When I mentioned that we checked for his opening hours on his website, and came over on those stated times, he became very defensive, raised his voice even more and denied ever making a mistake and insisted it was all our fault. I honestly haven't been spoken down to like that since I was a child and it was humiliating. My partner and I decided to not make a fuss and left the shop, having paid $150 or more, without our pieces and with a very bad taste in our mouths. I do not recommend for anyone to take a class here until they add in a system to call or email guests when their pieces are ready and until the owner learns to treat guests with kindness and understanding. read more

Kids enjoyed the 90 min class. Took 8 weeks approximately to wait for pick up. Received an email that it would be discarded if not picked up within 4 weeks. It would make sense if they had reasonable time frames for pick up. Frustrating. Talked briefly to Japanese man on phone who was extremely rude and defensive. Staff with the kids were nice though (young Caucasian girl). read more

first time doing that, i made a heart shape noodle bowl and a cup in 90 mins, so much fun.

Great Class and teacher!! I attended HiDe's Oneday 90min class with my friend. The teacher was friendly, attentive and knowledgable. His demonstrations with precise instructions is really something to see. The clay in his hands get a life as soon as he touches it. The demo is sufficient enough for us to believe that he has more than 30years experience. In the Demo, He show you how to make basic shapes like bowls, cups and vases. HiDe's instruction was technically "to the point", entertainingly funny, philosophically deep with a lot of "Zen" in which he was raised in his home country(Japan). Then we can get on the pottery wheel and had a lots of fun and relaxation. HiDe comes in and help you as you need it when your works goes wobbly. I could make a ramen bowl( big and nice!!) and my friend made a vase. Then We had a huge options for the glaze in which our works would be dressed. I could not make decision for the color for a long time, it just too many good glazes which HiDe claims all his original formula glaze that he use to use for himself(professinal grade??). We picked up our works 5weeks later and the result is amazing! more than I expected. Also noticed that works shrunk a lot as HiDe explained when we had the class. It is recommended to make things a lot bigger than you want, so the size would be right after the firings. I heard the process for our pottery going through is long and labor intensive. HiDe and his assistances will trim our works bottoms to make foot two days after you make them. then they has to be dried slowly for3 to 4 weeks. then they gets the first firing for 24hours up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. then HiDe and his assistant glaze them by hands and fire them again to 2500 degrees Fahrenheit for 30hours. It is a lot of work. Knowing that make you feel about your pottery more precious and special. HiDe's pottery class is wonderful place. We are so happy about the result and enjoy using them everyday! It really makes difference for your daily life to use dishes which is hand made!! read more