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
- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making colorful accessories]
- The “mizuhiki” knot-tying accessories -choose your favorite colors and make your one and only earrings, brooches or key chains to add colours to your outfits!
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Shimenawa]
- "Mizuhiki" Shimenawa (sacred rope) as as a souvenir for your trip in Kanazawa
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Hashioki]
- Create your own Mizuhiki chopstick rests to decorate your dinner table. Learn the traditional Kanazawa knot-tying technique!
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [making a Message Card]
- Don't miss a fun experience of a “mizuhiki” knot-tying technique while you are in Kanazawa!
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- Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making an envelope]
- Envelops for special occasions: Learn the “mizuhiki” knot-tying technique and make your own unique, beautiful envelops!
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- The making name charm of Kaga Inlay and original carved seals.【You can take a walk from Higashiyama.】
- 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]
- 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!]
- 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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- Wood Charring Experience at Iwamoto Kiyoshi Studio
- Join us at Iwamoto Kiyoshi Studio and create your own wooden tray using Japanese traditional wood charring technique.
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- MIZUHIKI craft necklace making workshop
- This is a hands-on mizuhiki workshop at Tsuda Mizuhiki Orikata
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- Private Maki-e Workshop: Create Your Own Lacquered Chopsticks & Bowls
- 10% of the proceeds will be donated to aid victims of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
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- Private Dyeing Workshops: Create Your Own Unique Pieces with Local Artists!
- 10% of the proceeds will be donated to aid victims of the 2024 Noto Earthquake
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- Easy and fun! A glass etching hands-on just a few minutes’ walk from Kenrokuen Garden
- 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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- A traditional Wagashi Japanese sweet workshop only two minutes from Kenrokuen Garden (reservation required)
- 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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- Where Woodcarving Comes Alive: One-on-one Tour of Inami with a Local Guide
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- Create your original vessel in a unique "Kanazawa-Nuri" style by layering and painting various colors!
- You can take it home on the same day
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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
- Experience creating your own glass wind chime in a quiet and cozy space in a historical district
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- Kaga Yuzen Dyeing workshop at the artist's studio near Kanazawa Station!
- More than 30 different designs hand-drawn one by one by yuzen artist Yomei Hirano
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- Potter's Wheel Experience
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- Kutani ware Etsuke (Drawing) Experience
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- Kutani Kosen Kiln Workplace Insights
- Private tour of a traditional craft workshop
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- Experience and learn the secrets of Kaga Yuzen, one of Kanazawa’s most sophisticated handicrafts, in a very elegant studio!
- Release your creativity by combining a great variety of patterns and colors!
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- A very accessible gold leaf workshop, just a few blocks from Kenrokuen Garden
- There are many stylish designs to choose from and craft a souvenir of your own
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- A paper doll painting hands-on, just two minutes from Kenrokuen Garden
- Following a model or your imagination, design your own paper doll the way you like
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- 【Higashi Chaya District】~Goldleaf Workshop~ Design it yourself. Anyone can participate.
- Observe up close the goldleaf work by artisans. price:1,000JPY~, Duration:60min
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- Enjoy a gold leaf workshop, one of the city’s top handicrafts, right in the center of Kanazawa
- Use one of the lightest and most glittery materials on earth to create a piece of your own
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- Gold leaf pasting experience
- Traditional crafts
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- 【Gold leaf workshop】Let's try making your own gold leaf products!
- In the hands-on-experience section, you can make your own gold leaf product in a relaxed atmosphere.
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- Tatami coaster making experience
- You can make a coaster with a real tatami scent in just ten minutes!
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- Postcard writing experience
- Post card writing with our orijinal postcards!
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- Paper fan making experience
- Paper fan making workshop is an event which used to be popular at the Asanogawa Enyukai festival. Would you like to make your own mini fan as a memory of your trip to Kanazawa?
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- A small journey to touch the heart of traditional craft Kaga Yuzen
- Admire the autumn leaves from the Asano River to Mt. Utatsu, and experience Kaga Yuzen dyeing and coloring with a Kaga Yuzen artist at Ryukokuji Temple, which is associated with Kaga Yuzen.
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