Shigaraki Pottery Village is a little slice of pottery paradise. It’s known for ceramic tanuki statues, but it is so much more.
As you drive along the main road, you will see shops with hundreds of the ceramic tanuki (raccoon dog). These figurine/statues are seen throughout Japan in many yards and businesses and are thought to bring good luck.
The Shigaraki area of Shiga prefecture is one of the oldest pottery producing places in Japan. They have been making pottery in this town for thousands of years. This area is known to have some of the best clay in Japan. Works produced here are known as Shigaraki-yaki.
A variety of wares can be found in the shops that line the main street. You can visit artisan workshops and galleries a little off the main street. There are also hiking trails if you want to hike up and see the town from above.
Many places offer pottery making, however you can take a pottery class, shop, and have lunch all in one place here.
Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park
The Ceramic Cultural Park was a very pleasant surprise and is a must see if you visit Shigaraki. On the park grounds there is a Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art, the Exhibition Hall of Industrial Ceramics, the Institute of Ceramic Studies with an Artist in Residency Program, a “Ceramic Forest Walk”, exhibits and workshops, a collection of unique outdoor kilns, and a lovely little cafe.
Kilns at the Shigaraki Cultural Park
A Noborigama. It is a wood fire, chambered climbing kiln built on a slope for the burning process. I was lucky that there was a visiting artist there checking the kiln who was friendly and happy to share information about the kiln and the pottery inside.
The kiln has different chambers that climb up a slope. Each chamber is loaded and then sealed up with brick and mud. The kiln fires for about 36 hours and then is allowed to cool for quite awhile. He opened the front chamber and I got to see the pottery in that section. He explained that when they load, one person goes in through the rather small opening and someone passes the pots in to them.
This climbing kiln was my favorite, although the cave kiln (and the others were interesting too). I have never seen a kiln that is anything like it.
Brown Rice and Water Cafe
This lovely little cafe is located in the Cultural Park grounds. They offer organically grown brown rice, fermented vegetables, and other items. I opted for pizza and a homemade soda. Delicious food and a relaxing setting with views of the park.
I loved my visit to Shigaraki!
Happy Travels,
Kari
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