VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

Kogei, or artisanal crafts, have been a point of local pride in Kanazawa and Ishikawa for centuries: back in the day of the samurai, modern-day Ishikawa was ruled from Kanazawa by the wealthy Maeda family. Rather than using their considerable fortune for military or political goals, they opted instead to focus on building their feudal domain into a center of arts and crafts, inviting artisans from around the country to set up shop here, and encouraging and supporting various craft industries. For centuries, Kanazawa and Ishikawa have been known nationwide for a broad variety of hand-crafted items that run the gamut from practical everyday tools to opulent decorations.

KOGEI Art Fair Kanazawa 2024 is this year’s installment of Japan’s only art fair focused specifically on these crafts, held in a city with a profound history of artistic excellence. The event is an art fair, but also much more: it aims to show off innovative new approaches to kogei crafts, and the value of these artistic techniques in the contemporary world. These artists breathe fresh, contemporary sensibilities into techniques that have centuries of history, making this a very exciting time for art lovers to be in Kanazawa. Much like the subject of the art fair, the event itself is also carefully assembled for maximum effect, taking place at one of the city’s leading hotels, with hundreds of works on display across multiple floors. 

There’s even more to experience outside the hotel, too: the National Crafts Museum is holding special visit events. These visits are led by an English-speaking interpreter, as well, making them perfect for art lovers and collectors from overseas! From Friday, September 6 through Sunday, December 1, the National Crafts Museum is holding special visit events featuring commentary from the curator of the Imaginal Crafts exhibition, followed by a chance to view the works on display. English-speaking interpreters are available, to assist with commentary and Q&A alike.

There’s also the museum’s unique Touch&Talk program: an interactive way for guests to experience crafts through hands-on encounters with example pieces from the collection of the National Crafts Museum. This event focuses on works by leading artists, including living national treasures like Yasokichi Tokuda and Kunie Komori, as well as other masters of contemporary crafts. Rarely do museums invite guests to directly handle the items from their collection, making this an unforgettable way to hone your appreciation of kogei crafts.