In the 19th century there were dozens of fiery kilns lining the Hazukashi-gawa, turning out beautiful bluish-grey mottled pottery pieces known as nashi-seiji (pear skin), but now only a few remain. You can purchase ceramics from a number of local stores, which cater to a steady trade of tour buses. Buses bound for Nishi-Zaō or Geikō-dai run at least hourly from stop 5 outside Yamagata Station to the Hirashimizu stop (¥290, 15 minutes).