Top Chubu Craft Classes

After the Noto earthquake, many of my grandfather’s beautiful Kutani ware pieces—vases, tea cups, and plates—were broken. I couldn’t throw them away because they held so many memories. Instead, I decided to give them a new life by transforming the fragments into unique accessories. As a former instructor of gold leaf art in Kanazawa, I’ve spent years working with gold, and its delicate beauty inspired this workshop. I hope you’ll enjoy the same sense of creativity and tradition. During the experience, you’ll also savor Ishikawa’s famous Kaga-bōcha tea, served on a 100-year-old Wajima lacquer tray, along with Kutani ware teacups that survived the quake. It’s a moment of history, craftsmanship, and hospitality—all in one experience.

Try Calligraphy at a Beloved Local School in Kanazawa ( Near Ninja Temple ) Just ink, washi, and your hands. But the moment the brush touches the paper— you’ll feel it. A new side of Japan opens up. Our 100-year-old townhouse offers an authentic calligraphy experience. From basic brush strokes to your own final piece, a local calligraphy master will guide you step by step with care. Please note: On Thursdays and Saturdays after 3:00 PM, our local calligraphy class is in session, so you may occasionally see Japanese children nearby. This experience uses materials that contain animal-derived components.

In this work shop, you can make your own ring by using tools for hammer the texture. You will customize by choosing the material, texture, shape and thickness. We will support you until the end of the work shop! Skilled craftsmen will polish and clean the ring at the final process. The work shop takes around 1 hour and the ring can be taken home on the day! Please enjoy the experience of making your own ring with your precious person. Great recommendation for wedding rings(honeymoon) or souvenir trip.

Craft and Test Your Knife Under the guidance of skilled craftsmen, you'll forge a stunning Damascus kitchen knife. Once completed, you'll test its sharpness by cutting fresh vegetables, experiencing firsthand the exceptional quality of your creation. You may be amazed at just how sharp your knife is! Learn the Art of Sharpening Throughout the knife-making process, you'll learn the essential skill of knife sharpening. This knowledge ensures you can easily maintain the razor-sharp edge of your knife, keeping it in prime condition for years to come. Choose Your Perfect Knife Select from three distinct types of knives to craft: Japanese Damascus Kitchen Knife: Ideal for everyday culinary use. Folding Damascus Hunting Knife: A versatile and portable option for outdoor enthusiasts. Chinese Damascus Kitchen Knife: Perfect for traditional Chinese cooking techniques. (Note: Prices vary based on the type of knife chosen.) Join us for a memorable and educational experience.

Create a unique souvenir of your time in Japan in this small-group mizuhiki workshop in Kanazawa. A traditional Kanazawa craft, mizuhiki is the art of Japanese paper twisted into cords and is a popular gift. In this workshop, you can make accessories such as earrings, a necklace, or a hair accessory—each are light and easy to fit in your luggage.

The only Kutani ceramic kiln in Kanazawa, opened in 1870 (Meiji 3). We make ceranics by manual from clay blending, shaping on the wheel to final coloring. We sell Kutani ware pottery made by our kiln, and also offer studio tours, pottery making and painting workshops. You can try your hand at the potter's wheel using Kutani ware clay. Kutani ware clay is made from a ceramic stone called "porcelain clay," which is very fine and has a unique texture. The clay is very fine and has a unique feel to it. Unlike ordinary pottery clay, it can be difficult to work with, but the potter will guide you through the process until the finished product is ready. The finished product will be sent to you in about five months.

Using pre-cut masking tape stencils in various beautiful designs, you'll apply authentic gold leaf to create your own unique artwork. This beginner-friendly workshop allows you to master this centuries-old Japanese craft technique while surrounded by the traditional architecture and atmosphere of one of Japan's most preserved historic districts.

Originating from Kanazawa, Kutani ware is a distinctive style of Japanese porcelain famous for its vibrant colors and intricate designs. As the only Kutani ware kiln in the city, Kutani Kosen Kiln, established in 1870, remains one of the most revered ceramic studios in the region. The kiln produces exquisite handcrafted pottery using time-honored techniques, with skilled craftsmen specializing in the delicate art of painting and glazing. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn the drawing techniques on Kutani ware. During this approx. 1 hour workshop, you will sketch and draw your design on a blank vessel and select your preferable colors from the Japanese pallette for your design before the workshop is concluded. Later, your work will be completed by a skilled craftsmen based on your selected colors by using traditional Kutani pigments. After painting, the piece will be fired in the kiln and shipped to you within about three months (shipping fee is at your expense).

Welcome to Omaezaki! People from the community around Omaezaki Port have come together to offer you a heartfelt local welcome. In towns across Japan, temples are a familiar part of daily life. On this experience, you will visit a temple that holds deep meaning for the local community. Guided by the head priest, try Zen meditation, learn the proper way to pay your respects, and enjoy a friendly talk offering insight into temple life and Japanese spirituality. Discover mizuhiki, the traditional decorative cord used in Japanese gift-giving, and try crafting your own design. Then experience the powerful rhythm of taiko—deeply connected to Japanese culture—by making your own drumsticks and playing the drums. We will also present a mini live performance by a professional taiko drummer. The performance right before your eyes is truly breathtaking! All of our staff are local residents, so you’ll also enjoy warm connections with the community and a genuine taste of everyday life in Omaezaki.

Would you like to experience making kumiko, a traditional Japanese woodworking technique? After learning about the history of Japanese architecture and the meaning behind the kumiko patterns from a master craftsman, you will enjoy a hands-on kumiko making experience. You can choose one from the two or three kumiko designs we have prepared. After the workshop, you will have the opportunity to tour a traditional Japanese shoin-zukuri room, where you can admire traditional Japanese woodwork and kumiko craftsmanship in the building's fixtures.

Kanazawa is famously known as the city of arts, and while you can find art workshops throughout Japan that you can easily participate in, it is rare to find one like ours that offers you a chance to truly experience Japan's traditional arts in the form of woodblock printing, as well as an opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with the artisan who has dedicated their life to making it. Our translator will be there to ensure that the communication between you and the artist is as smooth as possible, and you will be able to bring home with you a traditional tenugui that you make yourself!

Immerse yourself in the art of Kintsugi, where broken ceramics are transformed into beautiful masterpieces. Under the guidance of Rin Kiyose, a young artisan born into a family that has practiced Kaga Maki-e in Kanazawa for three generations,, you’ll engage in the delicate process of lacquer application and gold powder coating. This hands-on experience allows you to contribute to a piece crafted by a skilled artist, giving it your personal touch while learning about the philosophy of embracing imperfections. Create a unique souvenir that reflects your journey and the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship.

Step into a traditional Japanese shrine, a rare experience even for locals. Immerse yourself in crafting a beautiful windchime, a tangible reminder of your journey. This glass bell captures Japanese craftsmanship and resonates with memories of your adventure. Take it home, let its melodious chime echo your unforgettable Japanese escapade.

Experience the Living History of Seto Step into a world of timeless craftsmanship at a kiln that has served the Owari Tokugawa family for centuries. Under the personal guidance of the 31st-generation head, you will discover the secrets of "Ofukai-ware" while engraving your own original patterns into the clay. This is more than a workshop; it is a rare opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that captures your unique travel story. Your finished work will be mailed to your home, serving as a lasting memory of your connection to the soul of Japanese heritage.

Kanazawa is famously known as the city of arts and crafts, and while you can find art workshops throughout Japan that you can easily participate in, it is rare to find one like yours that offers you a chance to truly experience Japan's traditional arts in the form of paulownia woodcrafts, as well as an opportunity to step inside an actual workshop and have a conversation with the artisan who has dedicated their life to pursue arts. Your translator will be there to ensure that the communication between you and the artist is as smooth as possible, and you will be able to bring home with you a traditional paulownia wood coaster that you make yourself!

Our Washi Studio connects its history and produces Japanese paper the old-fashioned way.The origin of this paper is not certain, but one theory is that it has been made since the Heian period (794–1185) and has a history spanning approximately 1,000 years. In the Edo period (1603–1867),Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of this period, used this paper as the official paper of the Tokugawa shogunate. Production of this paper was once discontinued due to the Western paper technology, but it was revived by local volunteers. We cultivate raw materials for the paper while utilizing fallow rice fields. And we consequently use the raw materials to manufacture the paper, developing and selling the products throughout the process.We also actively promote Japanese paper culture by offering hands-on paper-making experiences and studio tours.

Echizen ware, which was born in the Heian period, is one of the six ancient kilns in Japan that still continues to produce pottery. Soil that contains a lot of iron has a distinctive red-black color on its surface. This time we will take you to a workshop where Echizen ware is made. You can also view artworks by Taro Okamoto and others at the Echizen Ceramics Village, and learn about the history of Echizen ware at the Echizen Ancient Kiln Museum. Echizen Old Kiln Museum Echizen Ancient Kiln Museum is a museum that opened in 2017. In addition to the Echizen ware museum, there is also the ``Old Mizuno Family Residence,'' an old folk house from Fukui that was relocated, and a full-fledged tea room. Echizen Pottery Village A hands-on museum of Echizen ware. There are many works of art in the facility. Sometimes it's simple pottery for everyday use, sometimes it's a surprising work of art. Why not enjoy Echizen ware, which has many different faces, with all five senses?

The tsuba of a Japanese sword has patterns written on it. From these patterns, you can decipher the "philosophy of the samurai hidden in the patterns" and the "spirit of the samurai." This will be a valuable experience to learn about the samurai.

Kinkori Shikkiten is a lacquerware shop run by brothers in Kawada, the town of Echizen lacquerware. In this experience, you will receive direct instruction from Mr. Masataka Kinkori, a craftsman at Kinkori Shikkiten, and experience painting lacquer on a wooden tray. The tray, which can be used for serving meals or as a tray for snacks, will make your ordinary foods for appealing. Guests will get to use the craftsman's tools for an authentic crafting experience. They will also get to learn about lacquerware from Mr. Kinkori who has years of lacquerware making experience.

Guests will get to learn about the lens making process at Inui Lens which produces high quality lenses. You will get to see the rarely seen behind the scenes of a lens making factory. You will then make your own sunglasses by fitting your favorite lenses into your own eyeglass frame (you'll need your own frame or you can purchase one at the store for an additional fee). There are more than 300 kinds of colors. You can make a one-of-a-kind sunglass that is suited to you. After the experience, take a break with a soft serve ice cream or a special coffee at the cafe in Lens Park!

This is a Kanazawa-only craft bonsai experience using rare black-glazed tile pots handcrafted by Hokuriku’s only onigawara artisan. More than a simple workshop, this experience invites travelers to help preserve Kanazawa’s traditional tile culture through hands-on creation and take home a meaningful bonsai they made themselves. All bonsai are made using artificial plants, making them easy to take home to your own country.

Kanazawa is famously known as the city of arts, and while you can find art workshops throughout Japan that you can easily participate in, it is rare to find one like ours that offers you a chance to truly experience Kanazawa's traditional arts in the form of Yuzen, as well as an opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with the artisan who has dedicated their life to making it. Our translator will be there to ensure that the communication between you and the artist is as smooth as possible, and you will be able to bring home with you a memorable souvenir that you make yourself!

Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, located at the foot of Mt.Fuji The nearest station, Mishima Station, is about one hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train. The classroom in Susono City is a 15-minute drive from Mishima Station. Mt.Fuji on a clear day. In the “Calligraphy Experience,” participants are given an explanation of the tools used in calligraphy, and begin by rubbing ink with spring water from Mt.Fuji Mt.Fuji. You will be able to experience calligraphy through all five senses, including the smell of the ink and the feel of the brush. We will also teach you how to use a brush so that even beginners can enjoy calligraphy. At the end of the session, participants will enjoy a cup of local Shizuoka tea and take a commemorative photo with their calligraphic works. Please enjoy Japanese culture through calligraphy, Mt.Fuji