Shigaraki

Whimsical tanuki statues with their oversized bellies and sake flasks greet visitors throughout this charming pottery town, one of Japan's six ancient kiln sites. Shigaraki's distinctive rustic stoneware, characterized by its warm earthy tones and natural ash glazes, has been crafted here for over 700 years. Visitors can tour working studios, try their hand at the potter's wheel, and browse countless galleries displaying everything from traditional tea ceremony wares to contemporary ceramic art.