Archives: Travel Post

An island in Lake Biwa, about 1.5km offshore in the city of Omihachiman. It is the only manned island in Japan floating in a freshwater lake, around 7km. It is the largest in the island of Lake Biwa. In ancient times, the name was found in "Man'yōshū", and it is an island of history that appears in various history books, but it is now a small fisherman town with a population of 250 or so, as if it had slipped back in time decades. The scenery of the cherry blossoms in the spring is good, and there is no car or bustle. The Oku-tsujima Shrine, which is located on a hill and is known as the Nara period, has a lively spring and autumn festival.

Day-trip bathing is also possible at a hot spring inn in Shigaraki, a pottery village. Recommended is a plan with meals set with meals in private rooms and bathing of a private outdoor bath. Great for relaxing. Only bathing is possible, but I want to make an appointment by the day before. Day use of open-air weather is also available, for 4400 yen a pair and 5500 yen a family.

In addition to the experience corner of new tea, the experience corner of green tea and black tea, there are also demonstrations of mountain grass and moss balls.

It is a long-established company founded in 1870, and produces and sells Asamiya tea, a specialty of Shigaraki. You can choose your favorite tea while tasting for free. Sencha 200g 540 yen, Kamihojicha 200g 648 yen, and Tumenba (Sencha/Kariganecha) 1080 yen, etc. In addition, at the attached cafe/restaurant WITH TEA, Asami and Kinki 880 yen, which won the second straight title in the Shiga B class gourmet battle, and the high-end Matcha Tiramisu & Asamiya Hojicha set 1045 yen, are popular.

Mina Imai, a potter who was born in Kyoto and comes from Kyoto Seika University. She has learned porcelain and pottery, and is working hard to create works that make use of their own characteristics. The simple but user-friendly works are all the things you want when you see a cup of 2160 yen.

A shop with a wide variety of Shigaraki ware, including raccoon dogs and items. Pottery classes (no reservations required) are always held for beginners. There is also a bowl shop on site that boasts large shrimp. In addition, there is also a full menu of noodles.

A long-established store founded in Fumihisa 2 (1862). The vessels lining the Bungoro warehouse, which is a renovation of an old concrete warehouse about 60 years ago, are popular for being simple but easy to use for both Japanese and Western use, and have attracted pottery lovers throughout the country.

With a workshop, a gallery and a guest house on a vast site of about 3000 tsubo, he works on a vessel that complements the cuisine and is favored by many cooks. The pottery club has a day-trip pottery experience (5,000 yen per person, more than two people).

Shops directly managed by Shogen. There are many works that make use of women's sensibilities while preserving the techniques of the tradition of Shigaraki ware. In addition to the original vessel, there are also many works by writers who are engaged in ceramics in Shigaraki.

The shop of Naoko Murakami, a ceramic artist who has been working in the ceramic art workshop for many years. The vessel displayed on antique shelves and tables is a simple piece with muted shades based on three colors: white, black and beige.