Shigaraki, Shiga

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Shigaraki (信楽町, Shigaraki-chō^?) was a town located in Kōka District, Shiga, Japan. It is an ancient centre for pottery making. Works produced here are known as Shigaraki-yaki. Many local potters use wood fired anagama kilns. Many tanuki statues are also made here. The town was merged into Koka city in October 1, 2004.

The location served as Imperial capital for a few months in 745, before a forest fire destroyed the palace. The Court then moved to Heijo-kyō.

As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 14,035 and a density of 85.40 persons per km². The total area is 164.34 km².