Shigaraki Town: Home to a Living Legacy of Japanese Ceramics

Located in southern Shiga Prefecture, the town of Shigaraki is a ceramic-producing area that is known as one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. In 742, Emperor Shomu built Shigaraki Palace here, and it became the imperial capital for a very short time. Although the exact date is unknown, Shigaraki ware is said to have originated from this time period, as temple tiles and firing kilns dating back to this time were found. Today, the oldest confirmed piece of Shigaraki ware is an antique jar at Hyakusaiji Temple, which is believed to be from the early Kamakura period (1185–1333), during the late 12th to early 13th century.

In the 1600s, Shigaraki ware, along with tea culture, grew in popularity. Its reputation spread all the way to the national capital, Edo (the former name for Tokyo), as jars from Shigaraki were used to present Uji tea leaves to the shogun. Nowadays, Shigaraki ware is known nationwide for its tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines. From tea ceramics to figurines that symbolize good fortune, Shigaraki ware comes in a diverse range of designs, as this craft has been nurtured over a long period of time.

An Unparalleled Overnight Immersion in the World of Tea Ceramics

This plan is not your ordinary pottery experience, as you will spend the night in the studio of a ceramic artist and tea master. This two-day overnight stay will be a thorough immersion in Japanese tea and the cultures that support it. Learn how vessels are formed from clay then used in tea ceremonies, and experience a chaji, a full tea ceremony during which guests are entertained through tea and seasonal cuisine.

Through the use of hand-crafted ceramics in the tea ceremony, you will feel the direct connection between ceramics and tea culture. Thus, this overnight stay presents an opportunity to meaningfully encounter the deep history and culture of Shigaraki ware.

You will stay at the long-standing Rakunyu Ceramic Studio. Its tea room is named Kochu-an as a reference to the ancient Chinese tale “Kochu no Ten” (“Heaven in a Jar”), which is about a man who discovers another world unfolding inside a jar. Symbolizing the tea room as a quiet escape from daily life and a space to engage with pottery and tea culture, this name was bestowed by Roshi (Master) Komei Hotani, head priest of Daitokuji Temple, an institution deeply linked to tea-ceremony culture. This special accommodation plan at Rakunyu Ceramic Studio Kochu-an is offered exclusively to one group per day, allowing guests to fully experience Shigaraki’s pottery culture.

Pre-Selected Rooms

A Comfortable Space that Prepares Guests For the Tea Ceremony

The part of Kochu-an where you will stay is furnished to ensure a comfortable time while retaining the serene ambiance of a traditional Japanese house. Its design is a harmonious blend of Japanese and Western styles, seamlessly connecting a tatami room, a living room with a sofa, and a bedroom — all with a sense of cohesion. With Shigaraki-ware tiles created by Rakunyu Ceramic Studio adorning the walls, this space was thoughtfully designed for guests to spend every moment appreciating the beauty of Shigaraki ware.

In the Japanese-style room is a full-length mirror, which you can use to get dressed in kimono before heading to the tea ceremony. The bathroom is equipped with a microbubble system for gently cleansing the skin, while the selection of amenities includes sustainable natural products developed in consideration of Lake Biwa’s ecosystem. Unwind and pamper yourself in this space that balances comfort and eco-friendliness.

Moments at the Table

A Magical Nighttime Tea Ceremony Illuminated by Lamplight 

For dinner, head to Kochu-an’s tea room nestled in its beautiful garden to take part in an evening chaji (a full, formal version of the tea ceremony) in the Omotesenke style, one of the leading tea-ceremony schools. In this space that’s just over three tatami mats (approximately five square meters) wide, you will experience a yobanashi, a tea ceremony held in the dark, after sunset. Though yobanashi are usually held on winter nights, this special plan offers the opportunity to experience yobanashi all year round.

The dishes, sake, and sweets served in a chaji are carefully prepared to allow you to savor a bowl of tea at its finest. The entire course is called cha-kaiseki, and it includes soup, rice, mukozuke (thinly sliced raw fish), nimono (a simmered dish), yakimono (a grilled dish), sunomono (a vinegared dish), takiawase (another simmered dish), hassun (an assortment of small dishes), sake, and wagashi sweets — all meant to make full use of the season’s best ingredients.

After having wagashi, you will savor dark-green koicha (thick matcha), followed by refreshing usucha (“thin” matcha, the most common way to prepare it) to conclude the tea ceremony. Sourced from Houkouen, a long-running Kyoto-based tea dealer, the tea will be prepared in the Omotesenke style, which emphasizes the flavor of matcha itself without excessive foaming. Honiwa will teach you tea-ceremony etiquette step by step, so rest assured that you will be able to fully enjoy the tea ceremony even if you are a first-timer.

*The images here are for reference only; the menu changes seasonally.

*While a chaji takes approximately three hours, it can be shortened to a two-hour version, if guests prefer. The type and amount of dishes served will be the same as those of a regular chaji.

Enjoying Breakfast While Gazing at the Bamboo Grove

Your breakfast the next morning will be served in the living and dining room, which doubles as a gallery. Depending on the number of people in your group, you will be guided to either the sofa or the dining table. Relax and enjoy homemade Western-style food while gazing at Shigaraki’s quiet morning scenery such as a bamboo grove outside your window, stretching out to the horizon.

For breakfast, indulge in bread from a popular local bakery served with premium butter, homemade ham from a renowned French restaurant in Kyoto, and eggs prepared to your liking: scrambled, fried, or omelet-style. Also on the menu are fresh salad, fruits, and pickles, ensuring that your meal is not only filling and delicious, but also nutritionally balanced. These dishes will all be served on beautiful tableware selected to complement the food.