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
Kutani Kosen Kiln Workplace Insights
Private tour of a traditional craft workshop
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Kutani ware Etsuke (Drawing) Experience
Kutani ware Etsuke (Drawing) Experience
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Potter's Wheel Experience
Potter's Wheel Experience
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MIZUHIKI craft necklace making workshop
MIZUHIKI craft necklace making workshop
This is a hands-on mizuhiki workshop at Tsuda Mizuhiki Orikata
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Where Woodcarving Comes Alive: One-on-one Tour of Inami with a Local Guide
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!
Discover the amazing world of Kaga Yuzen dyeing and attend a coloring workshop at the studio of a renowned artist!
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
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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Experience and learn the secrets of Kaga Yuzen, one of Kanazawa’s most sophisticated handicrafts, in a very elegant studio!
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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【Higashi Chaya District】~Goldleaf Workshop~ Design it yourself. Anyone can participate.
【Higashi Chaya District】~Goldleaf Workshop~ Design it yourself. Anyone can participate.
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
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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Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Shimenawa]
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Shimenawa]
"Mizuhiki" Shimenawa (sacred rope) as a memory of Kanazawa
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Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Hashioki]
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Hashioki]
Mizuhiki chopstick rests for your Spring themed table setting. Make a unique Hashioki; using the “mizuhiki” knot-tying technique as the perfect souvenir of your stay in Kanazawa!
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Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [making a Message Card]
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [making a Message Card]
Make a unique message card of your own using the “mizuhiki” knot-tying technique as the perfect souvenir of your stay in Kanazawa!
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Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making an accessory]
Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making an accessory]
The “mizuhiki” knot-tying accesories -choose your favorite colors! Earrings can be made into brooches or other types of accesories.
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  • Kutani Kosen Kiln Workplace Insights
  • Kutani ware Etsuke (Drawing) Experience
  • Potter's Wheel Experience
  • MIZUHIKI craft necklace making workshop
  • Where Woodcarving Comes Alive: One-on-one Tour of Inami with a Local Guide
  • Discover the amazing world of Kaga Yuzen dyeing and attend a coloring workshop at the studio of a renowned artist!
  • Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the town and refresh your mind to the sound of Kaga Furin wind chimes
  • Experience and learn the secrets of Kaga Yuzen, one of Kanazawa’s most sophisticated handicrafts, in a very elegant studio!
  • 【Higashi Chaya District】~Goldleaf Workshop~ Design it yourself. Anyone can participate.
  • Enjoy a gold leaf workshop, one of the city’s top handicrafts, right in the center of Kanazawa
  • Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Shimenawa]
  • Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making a Hashioki]
  • Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [making a Message Card]
  • Incredibly fun art of “mizuhiki”! [Making an accessory]

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