Things to Do in Koka: Shigaraki Pottery, Countryside & Day Trips

Why Koka Is Worth a Detour from Kyoto

Koka (甲賀) sits in the green hills of southern Shiga Prefecture, about 90 minutes from Kyoto by train. Most English-language guides mention it only for ninja history, but Koka's quieter draw — the pottery town of Shigaraki — is one of Japan's most rewarding off-the-beaten-path destinations for travelers interested in traditional crafts and rural landscapes.

Shigaraki is home to one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, with over 800 years of continuous pottery production. The town's streets are lined with ceramic tanuki (raccoon dog) statues, its hillsides dotted with wood-fired climbing kilns, and its workshops open to visitors who want to try their hand at the potter's wheel. Beyond pottery, Koka offers rolling tea plantations, quiet countryside walks, and a pace of life far removed from Kyoto's crowds.

This guide covers everything to do in Koka outside of the ninja experience. For Koka's ninja heritage and museum, see our dedicated guide. For broader planning across the prefecture, see our Shiga Prefecture overview and Shiga's city guide destinations.

Shigaraki Pottery Town: Japan's Ancient Kiln Village

Shigaraki ware (信楽焼) has been produced here since the Kamakura period, using special clay drawn from the ancient bed of Lake Biwa. The pottery is characterized by natural ash glazes created during wood-firing, an earthy warmth that embodies the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi (わびさび) — beauty found in imperfection and natural processes.

The town itself functions as both a working pottery center and an open-air gallery. Studios line the main road and hillside lanes, many operated by families who have been potting for generations. Unlike polished tourist attractions, Shigaraki feels lived-in — kilns sit beside family homes, and artisans work in view of passersby.

Tanuki Statues: Shigaraki's Iconic Symbol

You will notice them immediately: ceramic tanuki (たぬき) statues of every size, from palm-sized figurines to towering sculptures taller than a person. These rotund raccoon dog figures with their straw hats and sake flasks are Shigaraki's most recognizable product, representing good fortune and prosperity in Japanese folklore.

Tanuki statues stand outside nearly every shop, restaurant, and home in town. They range from traditional designs to whimsical modern interpretations. Affordable small tanuki start at a few hundred yen, making them one of the more distinctive souvenirs you can bring home from Japan.

Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park

The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, opened in 1990, is the best starting point for understanding the area's pottery tradition. According to Japan's official tourism guide, the park includes four main areas: the Ceramic Art Museum, the Shigaraki Industrial Exhibition Hall, outdoor exhibition spaces, and workshop facilities.

The museum provides context for what you will see in town — the history of the Six Ancient Kilns, the geology that makes Shigaraki clay distinctive, and examples ranging from medieval storage jars to contemporary ceramic art. Many visitors on TripAdvisor recommend starting here before exploring individual studios, as it helps you appreciate the subtle differences between kilns and glazing techniques.

Note: Specific admission prices and current hours were not available in our sources. Check the official site or inquire locally before visiting.

Noborigama Climbing Kilns and Traditional Firing

Shigaraki's hillsides hold noborigama (登り窯), multi-chambered climbing kilns built into slopes that use rising heat to fire pottery across successive chambers. These kilns use approximately 1,200 bundles of local pine wood per firing, and the wood ash carried by the flames creates the distinctive natural glazes that define Shigaraki ware.

Several historic kilns are open for viewing, including converted kilns now serving as cafes and galleries. The Ogama kiln is a notable example — a decommissioned climbing kiln transformed into an atmospheric space where you can drink coffee surrounded by centuries of ceramic history. Some studios also maintain anagama (穴窯), ancient single-chamber cave kilns dug into hillsides, representing the oldest firing techniques used in Shigaraki.

Pottery Workshops and Studio Visits

Hands-On Pottery Experiences

Several studios in Shigaraki offer hands-on pottery workshops where you can shape your own piece using local clay. Workshops typically involve working with about 1 kg of clay and can include wheel-throwing or hand-building techniques. Your finished piece is fired and shipped to you afterward, usually within a few weeks.

Booking through tour services or the Ceramic Cultural Park is recommended, particularly for international visitors, as it simplifies communication. However, the nature of pottery — hands-on, visual, tactile — means that limited Japanese is rarely a barrier. Instructors demonstrate techniques physically, and the experience works well even without shared language.

Browsing Studios and Buying Shigaraki Ware

Shigaraki's studios are spread across town, and each has a distinct character. Many are attached to the potter's family home, offering a glimpse into the artisan's daily life alongside their work. Visiting multiple shops is worthwhile — wares differ significantly between studios in style, glaze, and price point.

A common misconception is that all Shigaraki pottery is expensive. While sculptural and exhibition pieces command high prices, practical tableware — tea bowls, plates, cups — is available at accessible prices. Buying directly from the maker supports the local ceramic tradition and often costs less than buying Shigaraki ware in Kyoto or Tokyo galleries.

Bicycle rental is strongly recommended for studio-hopping, as the town is spread across hilly terrain. Walking covers the central area but leaves outlying studios and kilns out of reach without significant time investment.

Countryside Walks, Tea Plantations, and Nearby Attractions

Beyond pottery, Koka offers rural scenery that rewards unhurried exploration. The Tsuchiyama area, east of Shigaraki, is known for tea cultivation — green hillsides of neatly trimmed tea bushes stretching along the valleys. Detailed access information for tea plantations is limited in English-language sources, but the area is scenic for driving or cycling even without a specific destination.

The countryside between Shigaraki and Koka's other towns features wooded hills, rice paddies, and quiet roads with almost no tourist traffic. Autumn is particularly beautiful, with hillsides turning color around the kilns and villages.

The Miho Museum, designed by I.M. Pei and set into a forested mountainside near Shigaraki, is a notable nearby attraction housing a collection of ancient art from multiple civilizations. It operates seasonally — check opening periods before visiting.

Getting to Koka and Shigaraki from Kyoto

The most atmospheric route to Shigaraki uses the Shigaraki Kogen Railway (信楽高原鐵道), a scenic rural line that climbs through highland countryside.

By train:

• Kyoto Station → Kibukawa Station (JR Kusatsu Line, approximately 1 hour)
• Kibukawa Station → Shigaraki Station (Shigaraki Kogen Railway, approximately 30 minutes)
• Total: about 1.5 hours, with the final leg offering panoramic views of forested highlands

The Shigaraki Kogen Railway is a single-car diesel train that adds to the rural atmosphere. Services are infrequent, so check the timetable in advance and plan your return journey before exploring.

By car: Approximately 1 hour from Kyoto via the Meishin Expressway. Parking is available at shops and the Ceramic Cultural Park. A car gives the most flexibility for reaching outlying studios and the Tsuchiyama tea area.

For connections to other Shiga destinations, see our Otsu city guide — Otsu is on the JR line between Kyoto and Kibukawa.

Planning Your Visit: When to Go and How Long to Spend

How long to spend:

• Half day: Ceramic Cultural Park, tanuki street, and a few studios
• Full day: Add a pottery workshop, kiln visits, and countryside exploring
• Full day+: Combine with Koka's ninja heritage for a complete Koka experience

Best seasons:

• Autumn (October-November): Hillsides turn color around the kilns — the most scenic time to visit
• Spring and summer: Green tea plantations at their best; comfortable for cycling between studios
• Winter: Quieter, but traditional kilns and studios are active year-round and the lack of crowds means more personal interactions with artisans

Practical tips:

• Bring cash — smaller studios and tanuki shops may not accept cards
• Wear comfortable shoes if walking between studios on hilly terrain
• Bicycle rental is the best way to cover ground; ask at Shigaraki Station
• If buying pottery, shops can often arrange domestic shipping (ask about international)
• The town is quiet by late afternoon; plan to arrive by mid-morning for the fullest experience

Frequently Asked Questions