Shigaraki Ware: One of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, Famous for Tanuki Raccoon Dog Figurines

History of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns

Shigaraki ware is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, alongside Seto, Tokoname, Echizen, Tamba, and Bizen. Its origins trace back to medieval times, and traditions link it to Emperor Shomu's construction of the Shigaraki Palace. Shigaraki-cho in Koka City remains one of Japan's leading ceramics areas. Blessed with quality clay, its rustic and flavorful style that draws on the warmth of the earth has long been loved. In 2017 the Six Ancient Kilns were also recognized as a Japan Heritage.

Tanuki Raccoon Dog Figurines

Shigaraki ware is nationally famous for its charming tanuki raccoon dog figurines. Holding a sake flask and a ledger and wearing a plump smile, the tanuki has been cherished as a lucky charm for business prosperity, based on wordplay meaning to surpass others. In 1951, when the Showa Emperor visited Shigaraki, tanuki holding small national flags lined the roadside, and the emperor composed a poem about the scene, which is said to have brought the tanuki nationwide fame.

Ceramics Experiences

Many kilns in Shigaraki-cho offer ceramics experiences. Visitors can shape vessels on an electric wheel or by hand and try painting, immersing themselves in creating their own works. At the lush cultural park Shiga Ceramic Cultural Park, one can enjoy the appeal of Shigaraki ware from many angles, from exhibitions of fine works and observing creative activities at the ceramics hall to shopping.

Shigaraki Kogen Railway

Shigaraki Kogen Railway is a convenient local line for reaching the ceramics village of Shigaraki. Running through peaceful rural scenery and mountains, it arrives at the terminal Shigaraki Station, where a giant tanuki figurine over five meters tall welcomes visitors. Enjoying the scenery outside the window makes for a leisurely travel mood and one of the pleasures of the trip.

Access and Basics

• Location: Shigaraki-cho, Koka City, Shiga
• Public transport: transfer to the Shigaraki Kogen Railway at Kibukawa Station on the JR Kusatsu Line and ride to the terminal Shigaraki Station, where a large tanuki stands in front of the station
• By car: accessible from the Shigaraki interchange on the Shin-Meishin Expressway
• Ceramic Cultural Park: free admission to the grounds, with some facilities and exhibitions charging fees. Check opening hours and closed days in advance

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season: enjoyable year-round, but the pottery markets such as the annual autumn Shigaraki Ceramics Festival are especially lively. Strolling the village amid fresh greenery or autumn foliage is also pleasant
• Time needed: shaping in a ceramics experience takes about one to two hours, with finished pieces usually collected later or shipped after firing. Allow half a day to a full day including kiln visits and the Ceramic Cultural Park
• Avoiding crowds: it is very busy during the ceramics festival, so use public transport and arrive early
• How to enjoy: each kiln has its own style, so compare several when choosing vessels
• Nearby real spots: Shiga Ceramic Cultural Park, MIHO MUSEUM, and the kiln walking paths of Shigaraki

A Word of Advice

Because the kilns are scattered around the town, wear comfortable shoes for strolling. Works made in a ceramics experience are often collected later or shipped after firing, so plan with some schedule flexibility. Take your time enjoying the world of Shigaraki ware, where the warmth of the earth can be felt, together with the village scenery.

📚 Sources

This article was edited with reference to tourism guidance for Shigaraki in Koka City, home of Shigaraki ware, along with local kilns, the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park run by Shiga Prefecture, and the Shigaraki Kohara Railway. Certification information for the Japan Heritage Six Ancient Kilns was also consulted. The content and fees of pottery-making experiences, the opening hours and closing days of the Ceramic Cultural Park, and railway timetables may change, so please check each facility official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Suggested route: Transfer to the Shigaraki Kohara Railway at Kibukawa Station and use the terminus, Shigaraki Station, as a base to tour the kilns and the Ceramic Cultural Park.
• Preparing to make pottery: For experiences such as the electric wheel, hand-building, or painting, check the content and fees in advance.
• Places to visit: The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park offers exhibitions, a chance to watch creative work, and shopping.
• Check timetables: Trains on the Shigaraki Kohara Railway are limited, so plan around the schedule.
• Photo spot: The giant tanuki statue in front of Shigaraki Station is a classic photo stop.
• What to wear: Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking between kilns and around town.

Practical Information for Your Visit

The following is information on the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park (2188-7 Chokushi, Shigaraki-cho, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture), the base for exploring Shigaraki.

• Opening hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (last entry to the Ceramic Art Museum and the Koka City Shigaraki Industrial Exhibition Hall is 16:30)
• Closed days: Every Monday (the following day when Monday is a public holiday or a substitute holiday) and the New Year period. The Ceramic Art Museum alone is also closed during exhibition changeover periods and in winter
• Fees: Admission to the park is free of charge. Only the Ceramic Art Museum charges a fee, and the viewing fee is set for each exhibition
• Exemption from the viewing fee: Residents of the prefecture aged 65 and over, and holders of a physical disability certificate, a rehabilitation certificate or a mental disability certificate, are exempt at all times
• Parking: Free of charge (about 250 spaces for ordinary cars and about 10 for large buses)
• Telephone: 0748-83-0909
• Access: From JR Kusatsu Station take the Kusatsu Line, change at Kibukawa Station, get off at Shigaraki Station on the Shigaraki Kohgen Railway and walk 20 minutes (about 75 minutes in total). From Shigaraki Station, take the Koka City community bus and get off at "Togei no Mori-mae" or "Togei no Mori (Togeikan-mae)" (about 5 minutes). By car it is about 8 minutes from the Shigaraki IC on the Shin-Meishin Expressway, or about 30 minutes from the Mibuno IC on the Meihan National Highway

(Sources: Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park official website, "Visitor Guide" and "Transport Access")