Omi Shimoda ware, an officially designated Traditional Craft of Shiga Prefecture, is today carried on by Omi Shimoda-yaki Toubou, established in 1994 as the craft's sole kiln. The craft began around 1750, yet was on the brink of extinction in 1989 when its final potter, Yamanaka Yasuzo, passed away. Yamanaka entrusted his techniques to apprentice Kosako Hajime, the head of the kiln. With local support, Kosako successfully revived the craft five years later.

The kiln specializes in entirely handcrafted vessels made from gray-white clay decorated with rustic designs in natural gosu, a cobalt blue pigment. Today, its vessels carry on the tradition as companions to the everyday table.