Farm Stay Experience Near Shigaraki’s Ancient Pottery Town
- Bokun ID:
- 971799
- Product Code:
- 00005
Enjoy a private farm stay in the peaceful village of Shigaraki, coupled with a self-guided tour of the ancient pottery town.
Shigaraki, located in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, is just over an hour by train from Kyoto. With high-quality clay and a rich natural environment, a thriving pottery culture has been nurtured here for over a thousand years, and strengthened by its proximity to Kyoto and Nara.
Your journey to Shigaraki is part of the experience—enjoy a scenic local train ride with seasonal views along the way.
Upon arrival, take a self-guided tour before meeting your host family in the late afternoon. A guided tour with an English-speaking guide is available as an option.
First, visit the Shigaraki Pottery Museum (free admission) near the station to learn about the region’s pottery culture and history.
For lunch, choose a local restaurant. Visit the tourist information desk inside the museum for recommendations and an area map for post-lunch exploration.
Stroll through Shigaraki’s pottery town, visiting kilns, workshops, galleries, and studios, where you’ll find unique locally crafted pottery.
Return to SHIGARAKI Station by 3:30 PM to meet your host, who will take you to their mountain village home for a homestay experience. Enjoy nature walks, the sounds of wildlife, and a slower pace of life.
Engage in host-led experiences, such as a sencha tea ceremony, learning about the area’s renowned tea culture, and enjoying Shigaraki ware tea with Japanese sweets. Seasonal activities may include origami, calligraphy, or other cultural experiences.
For dinner, prepare a traditional Japanese meal with your host, using locally grown rice and vegetables, for an authentic home-cooked experience. Similarly, the next morning you can make breakfast together to complete your immersion into Japanese home cooking.
Enjoy a relaxed morning until check-out at 10:00 AM, when your host will take you back to SHIGARAKI Station.
◎ Kitchen, shower, and toilet facilities are shared.
◎The photos of the meals are examples. The menu may vary slightly. The seventh photo from the left is an example of dinner. The eighth photo shows two examples of breakfast, divided into upper and lower photos.
●From a group of 2
●Accommodation usage conditions: Minpaku Nanbu
●Application deadline: By 3:00 pm(Japan time), 5 business days before the tour date
●Number of meals: 1 dinner, 1 breakfast
[Payment method]
Credit card only
[When making a travel contract]
The transaction terms and conditions manual will be issued based on the details described on this screen and the following recruitment type planned travel/travel conditions.
③Travel Conditions for Offered Program
④Privacy Policy (Personal Information Protection Policy)
[Travel planning and implementation of this tour]
Company name: Koka City Tourism and Community Development Association
Location: 810 Konan-cho Noda, Koka, Shiga
Contact: +81 748 60 2690 (Weekdays 8:30 AM - 5:15 PM)
Store holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Registration No: Registered by the Governor of Shiga Prefecture, Travel Agency License No. Regional-270
Travel Service Supervisor:Taniguchi Nana
[Contact Information]
Store Name: Koka-ryu Real Ninjakan
(Koka City Tourism and Community Development Association)
Location: 600 Konan-cho Ryuboshi, Koka, Shiga
Contact: +81 748 70 2790(10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Email: real-ninjakan@koka-kanko.org
Store holidays: Mondays
Ticket Information
2 persons per room (Japanese-style room)
¥44,0003 persons per room (Japanese-style room)
¥60,0004 persons per room (Japanese-style room)
¥70,000[Optional] English guide included (meet at Kibukawa Station and attend together on the Shigaraki Kōgen Railway)
¥35,000[Optional] English guide included (attendance from Shigaraki station)
¥32,000[Option] Transportation by taxi
¥36,000More Information
Reservation Deadline
The start of the experience Up to 5 days before
What's included in the experience
Homestay fee (incl. dinner & breakfast), Activity fees.
What is not included in the experience
Transportation costs to and from the tour area, including train and taxi fares, any expenses incurred during the self-guided tour on the first day, insurance.
Precautions
● Getting to Shigaraki from JR Kyoto: Take the JR Biwako Line (Special Rapid) to JR KUSATSU Station Transfer to the JR Kusatsu Line and travel to JR KIBUKAWA Station From there, transfer to the Shigaraki Kogen Railway, which takes approximately 24 minutes to reach SHIGARAKI Station
● The first day's visit to Shigaraki is a self-guided tour. An English-speaking guide is optional—please let us know if you would like to arrange one.
● If needed during your walk in Shigaraki, a taxi can be arranged at an additional cost. Taxi fares are the guest's responsibility.
●Please ensure you return to SHIGARAKI Station by 3:30 PM to meet your host family. Kindly be on time and wait outside the station.
●Since your host family's English communication skills are limited, we recommend that you use apps or other tools to communicate with your host family.
● Please note that this is a homestay, not a conventional accommodation. You will be staying as part of a Japanese family, participating in activities such as meal preparation with your hosts for a fully immersive experience.
● The host family will accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions as much as possible, but please understand that there may be limitations. Kindly provide any relevant information when submitting your application.
● Kitchen, shower, and toilet facilities are shared.
● If needed for privacy or other reasons, the room can be divided into two separate spaces using a sliding door.
● The cultural workshop with the host family may vary depending on the season.
What you need
Comfortable clothing is recommended for walking around the town.
Please bring necessary items for your stay, such as a toothbrush and pajamas. (*towels, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and a hairdryer are provided.)
Information
ITINERARY
[DAY 1]
— Self-Guided Tour Begins (Sample Itinerary) —
10:45 AM
Arrive at SHIGARAKI Station (Shigaraki Kogen Railway).
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Visit the Shigaraki Pottery Museum, located just outside the station, to explore its exhibits.
11:40 AM – 3:30 PM
Enjoy local specialties at a selection of unique restaurants in the area. For recommendations, visit the tourist information desk inside the museum. After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through Shigaraki’s charming streets, visiting pottery workshops and kilns to see artisans at work.
— Self-Guided Tour Ends —
3:30 PM (MEETING WITH HOST FAMILY)
Return to SHIGARAKI Station and meet your host family.
4:00 PM
Arrive at your homestay accommodation. Enjoy a tea experience, meal preparation, and a cultural workshop with your host family.
[DAY 2]
10:00 AM
Check-out. Transport to SHIGARAKI Station by host family or taxi.
The business offering the experience will reply to you within5days whether the reservation has gone through or not.
Please note that the payment will not be processed until we receive a response from you.
Vendor Information
甲賀市観光まちづくり協会
〒520-3308
滋賀県甲賀市甲南町野田810