Recognized as one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, Shigaraki pottery boasts a long history centered around Shigaraki in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture.
Part of the Kansai Region, Shiga Prefecture is located east of Kyoto, with the prefectural capital of Otsu. Shiga Prefecture fully encloses Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake.
It is perhaps best known for the comical raccoon dog ceramic statues found at many storefronts in Japan. Shigaraki Pottery Village is a long-standing potter with over 100 years of history, with some of the few completely preserved climbing kilns built using the slope of a mountain, as well as old-fashioned cave kilns.
Built at the foot of the mountain in Shigaraki Pottery Village in 1888, the Okuda Chuzaemon Gama kiln has been passed down through six generations over 100 years.
Pottery produced in this kiln as well as other Shigaraki works are widely displayed and sold in the village.
Pottery workshops – suitable even for beginners- are also popular, in which you can make or paint your very own Shigaraki tanuki (raccoon dog).
Also be sure to visit the climbing kiln cafe created by renovating an old cave kiln.
The climbing kiln cafe
What’s nearby – The Miho Museum
