One of Japan's six ancient kilns: the 5.3-metre statue moved an emperor.
Shigaraki is one of Japan's ‘six ancient kilns’, recognised as Japan Heritage in 2017 together with Echizen, Seto, Tokoname, Tamba Tachikui and Bizen, with a ceramic tradition that dates back to the late Kamakura period. The link with the tanuki figurines, the raccoon dog that is the town's symbol, began in 1951: during a visit, Emperor Shōwa was struck by the sight of rows of tanuki and composed a poem that brought these figures national fame. At Shigaraki Station, a ceramic tanuki 5.3 metres tall welcomes arrivals.
Pottery district of Kōka, with kilns, galleries and a walking trail (窯元散策路) among workshops that are still active.
ℹ️ Free access to the walking trail among the kilns; the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park and the individual workshops have their own opening hours.
🚉 Shigaraki · 19 min walk
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Nearby
Miho Museum4.2 kmphoto by 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Kōka Ninja Village15.2 kmphoto by z tanuki · CC BY 3.0