[Shiga] Koka Shigaraki Pottery Museum 2-Hour Tour with Local Potters

Join a 2-hour guided tour exploring the history and artistry of Shigaraki ware, one of Japan’s traditional ceramic styles. Begin at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park and Museum, where your guide will introduce the craft’s 700-year history, its connection to tea culture, and the natural beauty of its earthy textures and ash glazes. Learn how local clay from ancient Lake Biwa deposits gives Shigaraki pottery its warmth, speckled surface, and durability, and how its rustic character came to express the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi. After the museum, visit two nearby working studios that serve as both workshops and galleries. Meet the world of local potters, learn about their techniques, and receive guide support if you wish to purchase an authentic Shigaraki piece.