Hello! This is the staff of the Uchiru Pottery City Editorial Department, which you can enjoy at home.
I was curious about the pottery town of Shigaraki after hearing from a friend who loves pottery that Shigaraki is interesting.
What I realized when I actually visited was that there was a lot to see other than tanuki.
This time, I would like to share my impressions after spending half a day walking around the Shigaraki pottery and the charm of Shigaraki.
Keyword is climbing kiln - leisurely stroll through Utsuwa town
Since I usually like walking, I decided to walk around town instead of taking a bus or taxi.
Start your tour of the potteries by following the "Kiln Walking Path" based on the map you got at the station.
Shigaraki ware paving stones are embedded as landmarks along each route of the pottery walking path.
By following the paving stones with the same design, you can walk without getting lost. Tourist-friendly innovations can be seen throughout the town.
Then, what left an impression on me while walking around Shigaraki was the presence of "Noborigama."
Perhaps because Shigaraki has many ups and downs, climbing kilns that make use of the slopes are scattered throughout the town.
Being able to see shops and cafes that utilize climbing kilns that are no longer in use was a sight unique to the Utsuwa production area.
The town itself is a gallery
Also, Shigaraki is attractive because it has many unique shops.
I thought it would be nice to not only sell pottery but also have an exhibit where you can learn how to make it, so you can learn about the history of the production area and pottery while shopping.
For example, the ``Ceramic Art Gallery'' uses a ``heavy oil kiln'' that is no longer in use as a gallery.
Explanations are also posted, and just visiting a few shops can be as satisfying as visiting an art gallery or museum.
This time I will introduce some recommended spots that I am glad I went to. You can have a lot of fun just walking around here, so I'd be happy if you could use it as a reference for your outing.
Ceramic Houzan Gallery
A gallery and shop run by Tani Kangama.
The highlight here is the gallery I mentioned earlier, which is a renovated heavy oil kiln. Inside the kiln, which was decommissioned due to soaring oil prices, there are pottery and objects on display.
Also, the building itself, which was originally a Meiji-era normal school, is very tasteful and wonderful.
The high-ceilinged shop was lined with various genres of pottery. Displays made from old furniture are tempting to imitate.
Ogama
A complex facility for pottery operated by Meizangama.
A climbing kiln is displayed inside the large building in the photo.
There is also a facility with a cafe, shop, and gallery, so you can do everything from eating, shopping, and viewing art all in one place.
A shop that utilizes old wood. I like the gap between the old building and the unique new pottery.
Simple plain containers have a modern Scandinavian feel.
At the shop, we were able to see a variety of types of pottery, from simple pottery that could become a standard to ones with impactful designs.
I was also interested in the colorful and nationalistic utensils that would go well with ethnic cuisine.
A photo of the climbing kiln taken from the terrace of the cafe. You can also take a break while looking at the climbing kiln.
Bungoro Soko
If you climb up a steep slope (it's really steep!) using the signboard as a guide, you'll suddenly see a cube-shaped building.
The interior is a Bungoro Kiln shop and art space. The interior of the store, lined with monochrome modern pottery, resembles a gallery.
All of the utensils are stylish yet reasonably priced. You can create a restaurant-like atmosphere at home, and it looks great when you are at home.
A signboard along the walking path. Be careful not to miss it!
Display bowls on the window sill. The casual display is wonderful and can be used as a reference for interior decoration.
It's no wonder that there are so many fans of this easy-to-use pottery that goes well with any menu.
A beautiful container that can be left on the table. The colorful accessory in the foreground is a chopstick rest that you can use to hold your chopsticks through. Good for accenting the table.
Shigaraki Pottery Village/Noborigama Cafe
A cafe located within the Shigaraki Ceramics Village operated by Okuda Chuzaemon Kiln.
I entered the store because I was attracted by the catchphrase, "The world's only climbing kiln cafe."
The empty space on the side of the climbing kiln has been turned into a cafe. We have taken every precaution to prevent infectious diseases, and to avoid crowding, customers are seated in seats designated by the restaurant staff.
Having tea in a cave-like atmosphere is a valuable experience that can only be had here!
The vessels are of course Shigaraki ware. I had a cheesecake from the local Yamada Farm. It is also recommended as a topic for conversation.
If you go to Shigaraki, try riding the Shigaraki Kogen Railway!
One of the purposes of visiting Shigaraki was to ride the Shigaraki Kogen Railway.
The one-car local train, like a streetcar, will enhance your travel mood. Shigaraki is also a ninja village, so the design of the vehicle is a ninja pattern.
Inside the train, explanations about Shigaraki Tanuki and maps of attractions are posted, as well as plenty of tourist information. You can prepare for your trip until you arrive in Shigaraki.
Visit Shigaraki
When I think of Shigaraki ware, I imagine dark brown pottery such as raccoon dog ornaments and flowerpots.
However, when you actually visit, you will find that there is a wide variety of colors and designs. No matter which shop I looked at, they had the same variety of products, so I was able to enjoy them without getting bored.
What was also impressive was the large number of shops that can be enjoyed even in one place.
You don't just buy pottery; you can also see, use, and experience it, so even those who aren't interested in pottery can have a lot of fun.
↑Cityscape of board fences. It was also used as a filming location for the drama ``Scarlet''. The nostalgic scenery is calming.
My family has no interest in pottery at all, but they seemed to like the scenery with the old buildings and climbing kilns, and were actively taking pictures of it.
Since I visited on a weekday during the spring break season, there were many shops that were closed. Next time, I would like to see more pottery in conjunction with events such as the pottery market.
There are not many shops in Tokyo that only handle Shigaraki ware. (Maybe not)
It was very valuable to be able to see pottery that can only be seen locally.
If you are interested in the artist's pottery, please come and visit us.
You may be able to find one of your favorites that doesn't look like anyone else's.
I want to see Shigaraki pottery! If so, you can view it here.
Also, we sell not only Shigaraki ware but also a variety of other pottery, so if you'd like, please visit Uchiru, a pottery market that you can enjoy at home.
Uchill, a pottery market that you can enjoy at home
I hope you find your favorite pottery and enjoy your daily table scenes even more!