Experience Japanese traditional crafts!
Kanazawa has been certified as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of crafts and folk art, and is globally-renowned as a location where crafts are flourishing. There are also many specialized craft workshops where traditional techniques have been handed down since the Edo period. There are many places where you can experience making things in workshops and galleries, so why not join one to create a special memento for your trip? The artisan will teach you with thorough, careful instructions, so anyone can easily take on the challenge.

Discover the many crafts that Kanazawa is proud of, and create memories with a workshop experience!
If you try making traditional crafts while listening to the guidance of an artisan, you will get a deeper understanding of their appeal. Below we introduce some popular crafts that you can also experience making.
Kaga Yuzen
Kaga Yuzen fabric dying features realistic painted patterns based on the five traditional deep colors of Kanazawa (indigo, dark crimson, yellow ocher, grass green and ancient purple). There are various plans available offering authentic experiences including coloring and stencil dyeing, etc. You can also try wearing a genuine Kaga Yuzen kimono, a high-class garment that even Japanese people dream about.
Kaga Mizuhiki
Mizuhiki (decorative cord tying) is used in traditional Japanese wrapping. Kaga Mizuhiki is a three-dimensional form of Mizuhiki. The original tying technique has been evolved for the creation of accessories and artwork. Create cute accessories that are unique to Kanazawa while learning about the meaning of Mizuhiki tying.
Kutani ware
Characterized by its realistic patterns, "Japan Kutani" is popular around the world as Japan's representative colored artwork porcelain. Experience authentic painting using the same materials as the artisans.
Kaga Zogan inlay (metalwork)
Inlay is a technique involving the carving of metal and then inlaying a different metal into it to express a pattern. During the Edo period, it was used to decorate harnesses and armor used by samurai, and nowadays it is used in familiar accessories such as necklaces and earrings and also on vases and incense burners etc. The workshop requires delicacy and perseverance, however creating your own unique accessory is highly satisfying.
Gold leaf crafts
Kanazawa holds most of the market share for gold leaf manufacturing in Japan. In this experience, you can apply gold leaf with a thickness of 0.1 micron to a small plate, box, chopsticks, etc. It's a popular experience since it's relatively quick and simple and reasonably priced.
Traditional craft workshops
- Kutani Kosen Kiln Workplace Insights
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- Private tour of a traditional craft workshop
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- Kutani ware Etsuke (Drawing) Experience
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- Potter's Wheel Experience
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- MIZUHIKI craft necklace making workshop
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- This is a hands-on mizuhiki workshop at Tsuda Mizuhiki Orikata
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- Create your original vessel in a unique "Kanazawa-Nuri" style by layering and painting various colors!
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- You can take it home on the same day
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- Where Woodcarving Comes Alive: One-on-one Tour of Inami with a Local Guide
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- Discover the amazing world of Kaga Yuzen dyeing and attend a coloring workshop at the studio of a renowned artist!
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- Create an item of your own using the same tools and techniques as professionals!
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- Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the town and refresh your mind to the sound of Kaga Furin wind chimes
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- Experience creating your own glass wind chime in a quiet and cozy space in a historical district
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- Experience and learn the secrets of Kaga Yuzen, one of Kanazawa’s most sophisticated handicrafts, in a very elegant studio!
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- Release your creativity by combining a great variety of patterns and colors!
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- 【Higashi Chaya District】~Goldleaf Workshop~ Design it yourself. Anyone can participate.
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- Observe up close the goldleaf work by artisans. price:800JPY~, Duration:60min
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- Enjoy a gold leaf workshop, one of the city’s top handicrafts, right in the center of Kanazawa
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- Use one of the lightest and most glittery materials on earth to create a piece of your own
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Shimenawa]
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- "Mizuhiki" Shimenawa (sacred rope) as a memory of Kanazawa
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Hashioki]
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- Create your own Mizuhiki chopstick rests to decorate your table? A fun workshop to make your own chopstick rests using the traditional Kanazawa knot-tying technique.
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [making a Message Card]
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- A fun experience of a “mizuhiki” knot-tying technique for your daytime itinerary.
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making colorful accessories]
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- The “mizuhiki” knot-tying accessories -choose your favorite colors and make your own earrings, brooches or key chains!
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- 【金沢市民対象】加賀友禅のこころに触れるちいさな旅
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- 親子で体験!地元金沢観光ツアー
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- The making name charm of Kaga Inlay and original carved seals.【You can take a walk from Higashiyama.】
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- Recommend it to your souvenir, baby gift and present of the Memorial day. The charm for the pet of a dog and the cat is popular, too.
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- The making of original name charm! Let's make the souvenir of the trip in the metal sculpture studio! [The charm of dogs and cats is popular, too]
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- You can experience various carved seals! [an intermediate course in the workshop of the metal sculpture studio]
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- The making of original name charm of the small carved seals. [You can make the family crest of Kaga(A plum blossom crest) too!]
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- It is completed in around one hour from 40 minutes. It is recommended to a child and families. How about insouvenir of a trip?
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- Gold leaf pasting experience
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- Traditional crafts
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making an envelope]
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- Colourful envelope of your own using the “mizuhiki” knot-tying technique will make a great gift/souvenir!
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- Dans le centre de la ville, participez à un atelier de manipulation de feuille d’or, l’un des artisanats emblématiques de Kanazawa !
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- Utilisez l'un des matériaux les plus légers et les plus brillants au monde pour créer un objet tout personnel.
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- Provate un laboratorio di applicazione della foglia d’oro, una delle tecniche d’artigianato migliori di Kanazawa, proprio in centro città
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- Usate uno dei materiali più leggeri e più scintillanti che esista per creare il vostro manufatto
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- Découvrez l’univers raffiné de la soierie Kaga Yuzen en participant à un atelier de teinture dans l'atelier d'un artiste de renom !
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- Créez votre propre article en utilisant les mêmes outils et techniques que les professionnels !
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- A paper doll painting hands-on, just two minutes from Kenrokuen Garden
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- Following a model or your imagination, design your own paper doll the way you like
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- A very accessible gold leaf workshop, just a few blocks from Kenrokuen Garden
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- There are many stylish designs to choose from and craft a souvenir of your own
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- A traditional Wagashi Japanese sweet workshop only two minutes from Kenrokuen Garden (reservation required)
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- A very popular hands-on experience, including a shopping ticket to be used for the many products offered by the facility!
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- Easy and fun! A glass etching hands-on just a few minutes’ walk from Kenrokuen Garden
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- Making use of the sandblasting technique, this make your own glass hands-on will have you carving your name and a design of your own on a glass cup or a hanko seal
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