🇯🇵Ira | Island Manga Artist 🇸🇬 🌏 Traits: ADHD / ASD, IQ 115, BMI 17.7 ✒️ International Island Manga: MAHARAJIMA (まはらじま) 🇸🇬 Life Abroad: Attained Singapore PR as a "Singapore NEET" 🇹🇼 First Japanese national to successfully explore all inhabited islands in Taiwan (2025) ⛴️ Explored 500+ islands in just under 3 years 🌏 World Record Holder for the fastest completion
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It’s cheaper and has more variety than Singapore’s tourist spots.
This place is recommended for those who love Peranakan culture. The Dragon Kiln, built about 85 years ago, is Singapore’s oldest and only operational kiln. Its interior reaches temperatures of 1300°C.
【The Transformation of Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle】 ・Established in 1940. Its primary purpose was mass production of household and industrial goods (cups, flower pots, etc.). ・It has now evolved into a community space.
The owners speak Hokkien and Singlish. Conversation difficulty level: high.
However, other staff members usually handle store duties or are present for artwork creation, so English conversation should be possible.
I visited twice in 2024, in February and September.
When I went in September, it was super run-down.
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Which one is the real one?
Nearly 100 exhibits from the back were all piled up in a separate room (it has a roof but is exposed to the wind. There are no windows), and the large displays were hidden behind other merchandise. The stylish, spacious layout I saw in February was nowhere to be found.
A male craftsman approached me with a “Welcome!” vibe, so I asked, “Is this place closing down?”
Male craftsman: “We’re not closing. We’re gathering the goods under the roof for exporting them to China.”
I see.
I noticed quite a few items besides those packed for shipping have been gathered. I wonder if they’ll be shipping multiple times.
Traditional wood-fired kiln (Dragon kiln)
Here stands a traditional wood-fired kiln (dragon kiln). The temperature inside the dragon kiln reaches 1,300°C.
In June 2020, the Tou Kuan Dragon Kiln was honored with the “Stewards of Singapore’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Award” by the Singapore National Heritage Board.
Workshops require advance reservations. They are held only 2-3 times a year. You’ll have to check with the staff.
All the pottery on display is for sale.
Pottery Jungle：Basic Information
Access to Pottery Jungle
It is located in the WEST area of Singapore. Changi International Airport is in the EAST area. From Changi Airport, it takes about two and a half hours by public transportation.
Example: Starting from Orchard Station. Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Pottery Jungle Admission Fee
Free admission. No ticket office. There are front and back gates. The day I went, it was pouring rain during the monsoon season, and the closest gate was the back one. The front gate was covered in puddles and impassable anyway. When I went during the dry season in September, the back gate was closed, so I went through the front gate.
Pottery Jungle Restroom
Free to use. Inside the building on the right after entering the back gate. Here too is a uniquely designed toilet featuring ceramics prominently! The attention to detail is superb. The toilet was cleanly maintained. A favorable impression.
Pottery Jungle also features a fossil exhibit.
“I’m not interested in Peranakan stuff. I want to see things from more ancient times,” my companion said. They can enjoy the fossil exhibits. See the video for details. I’ll post a photo of what appears to be an inkstone here. It’s just casually placed.
Restaurants are located in the university food court (within walking distance).
NTU (Nanyang Technological University) has a food court. Here at Pottery Jungle, drinks and ice cream are sold. If you’re looking for a proper meal, you might want to check out NTU too.
Since it’s a university, prices aren’t high. Student dormitories are off-limits to non-residents (the doors won’t open without a card).
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Google Maps shows it as a 40-minute walk, but it’s actually under 30 minutes. Google Maps routes you via a detour and major roads, but if you go through the back gate and along the covered walkway of the HDB, you can shave off over 10 minutes.
Singapore’s field trip-style social studies program
Ira(アイラ): World record holder for exploring over 500 islands in just about 3 years. As an island manga artist, Ira serves as a valuable social example of leveraging ADHD and ASD traits to their fullest. Author of the international island manga MAHARAJIMA（まはらじま). Holds Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) and a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property. [Link to Profile & Achievements] [YouTube Channels: 1. Islands & Unexplored Regions | 2. Singapore & Mountains]
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