Shigaraki: Pottery Town and Its Tanuki

In the hills of Shiga, one of Japan's oldest kiln towns lines its streets with smiling raccoon-dog statues and warm, earthy ceramics.

Published October 18, 2026 at 9:31 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Shigaraki, in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns and is famous for rough, warm-toned ceramics and for its tanuki statues, plump raccoon dogs with sake bottles and big bellies. Reach it by the Shigaraki Kogen Railway from Kibukawa. Visit the kiln sites, pottery shops and workshops, and try making your own piece.

A Kiln Town in the Hills of Shiga

Shigaraki lies in the southern part of Shiga Prefecture, in the hills between Lake Biwa and Nara. Pottery has been made here since the medieval period, and the town is counted among the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan, along with Seto, Tokoname, Echizen, Tamba and Bizen. The surrounding area has clay that suits large, sturdy vessels, which early makers used to produce jars, pots and tea utensils.

Today, the town still centers on ceramics. Workshops sit beside homes, kiln chimneys stand against the sky and shops sell tableware, plant pots and decorative pieces. The atmosphere is small-town and calm, with walking routes marked for visitors. Compared with famous cities, Shigaraki is a gentler, more hands-on introduction to Japanese craft.

Early Shigaraki production focused on practical goods. Farmers needed storage jars for seeds and grain, and cooks needed pots, mortars and large bowls. As tea ceremony grew in the sixteenth century, small tea containers and water jars made in the style became prized by connoisseurs. That mix of everyday and refined use is still visible in the range of items made in the town today.

What Shigaraki Ware Looks Like

Shigaraki ware is known for its texture and color. The local clay contains grains of feldspar and quartz, which show as white or pale specks on the surface. During firing, flames and ash produce warm orange or red tones, and sometimes a natural glaze that runs in glassy streaks. Pieces often feel rough and earthy, with subtle variation that makes each one different.

Tea masters in the past valued this unpolished beauty, which fits the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, an appreciation for simplicity and imperfection. Modern potters make everything from rice bowls and sake cups to large planters and tiles. Because pieces are fired in kilns that vary, the colors can differ even among similar designs. Handle items gently, since rough glazes can feel different from smooth porcelain.

A few details help when you meet the statues. The sake bottle represents virtue, or the habit of enjoying life in moderation, and the ledger stands for trust in business dealings. The tail is said to stand for steadfastness. Whether or not you believe in luck, the statues give shop fronts a friendly, welcoming look that suits the slow pace of the town.

The Tanuki: Shigaraki's Cheerful Mascot

Visitors quickly notice the tanuki, ceramic statues of the Japanese raccoon dog that stand outside shops and along streets. They wear straw hats, hold a sake bottle and a ledger, and have big round bellies. Tanuki appear in folklore as playful shapeshifters, and the statues are lucky charms believed to bring good fortune to businesses.

The tanuki is often described as having eight lucky features, such as the hat for protection from trouble, large eyes for good judgment, and a big belly for calm. Their popularity is said to have grown after a well-known visit to the area in the mid twentieth century, when tanuki flags were waved to welcome a guest. Tanuki statues are sold at shops across the town in all sizes.

Many shops line the road from the station, and the first one you reach may be the busiest. Walk a little farther and you will often find quieter workshops with unhurried staff and lower crowd levels. If you like photography, the soft light on kilns and clay walls in late afternoon makes for good pictures, as long as you ask before photographing people.

Getting to Shigaraki

The usual route is by train. From Kyoto or Osaka, travel by JR to Kibukawa Station in Koka, where the small Shigaraki Kogen Railway runs to Shigaraki Station. The railway is a local line, with trains running at modest intervals, so check the timetable ahead. Buses and driving routes also serve the area, though bus service can be limited, so confirm times before relying on it.

Driving is easy for those with rental cars, and parking is available near the main pottery areas. From Shigaraki Station, a tanuki statue greets you outside, and the central pottery lanes are a short walk away. Allow a half day to a full day for a leisurely visit, and keep the return train times in mind, since service may end early in the evening.

What to See and Do

Start at the station and walk the pottery lanes, stopping at shops and galleries. The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park includes a museum with historic and contemporary pieces and spaces for workshops. Old climbing kilns, called noborigama, stand in sections of town as reminders of earlier firing methods. Some are preserved as heritage sites.

Many studios offer hands-on pottery classes where you can shape clay by hand or on a wheel, paint a tanuki or decorate a plate. Classes are usually priced by item and fired later, with shipping available for completed pieces. Reservations are often required, particularly on weekends and in peak seasons. Check the studio or tourist association site for current offerings.

If you plan a class, wear clothes that can get dirty and keep your nails short. Tell the staff if you have any language needs, as many studios use simple demonstrations and gestures. Allow extra time for pieces that must dry and be fired, because shipment can take several weeks. Ask about fees for glazing and postage before you start.

Seasons, Events and Local Food

Shigaraki is pleasant in all seasons, but spring and autumn are best for walking. Cherry blossoms and fresh greens appear in April, and autumn colors arrive in November. Summer can be hot, and winter is cool with occasional frost. The town also holds pottery fairs and special sale events at certain times of year, with discounts and open studios. Dates change, so check the official calendar.

For food, look for local cafes in renovated kilns or old houses, serving lunch sets on Shigaraki plates. Regional foods from Shiga include Omi beef, funa-zushi (fermented fish sushi, an acquired taste) and tea grown in the nearby hills. Small sweets shops sell tanuki-shaped treats. Many places close early or on certain weekdays, so plan your lunch time.

Etiquette, Buying and Shipping

Pottery shops are working businesses, so be gentle with items. Hold pieces with both hands and ask before touching delicate ones. Photography rules vary, and some shops ask for permission. Prices range from inexpensive souvenirs to large handmade works, and shop staff can explain the type of clay or kiln.

If you buy large items such as planters or statues, ask about packing and shipping. Many shops arrange delivery within Japan and sometimes overseas, which is easier than carrying heavy ceramics on trains. Keep receipts and customs rules in mind for international shipments. For smaller pieces, ask for protective wrapping, and carry them in your hand luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there so many tanuki in Shigaraki?

The tanuki is a lucky symbol in Shigaraki and has become the town's mascot. Statues are made by local potters and placed outside shops as charms for good business and fortune. They come in many sizes, from palm-sized souvenirs to figures taller than a person.

How long should a visit to Shigaraki take?

Half a day is enough for the main pottery lanes and a museum, while a full day lets you add a pottery class and a leisurely lunch. Keep the return train times in mind, because the small local railway runs at modest intervals and may end early in the evening.

Can visitors make pottery in Shigaraki?

Yes. Many studios offer short classes where you can make a cup, plate or tanuki figure. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Finished pieces are usually fired later and shipped to you, so ask about timing and shipping costs before you begin the class.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Tokoname: Aichi's Pottery Walk and Lucky Cat, Yomitan: Okinawa's Pottery Village and Tokkuri and Ochoko: The Vessels Used to Serve Sake.