KYOTO Traditional Crafts Masters Tour, Get Inspired by Their Skills and Philosohy

Kyoto has been not only capital of Japan but the center of culture since 794 . Still today, Kyoto is a place where we can see traditions. Having being protected by nobilities and rich merchants, high techniques of crafts such as weaving, several kinds of potteries, metal engravings, golden leaf works, and papers etc. have been transferred from generation to generation. When you visit any of workshop of those traditional crafts, you will be inspired not only by masters’s high skills and techniques  but also by their philosophy and the way of living as a master. We have a list of variety of masters who are happy to show you part of their works in action and to talk with you in person.

  • Pottery Masters
    • Kiyomizu Ware
    • Raku Ware
    • Folk Pottery (Successor of Kanjiro Kawai)
  • Weaving Master (Tsuzure weaving, a kind of Nishijin weaving)
  • Japanese Laquer Painting Master
  • Metal Engraving Master (who makes Buddhism ornaments)
  • Gold Leaf Sticking Master

Please let us know which kind of traditional crafts you are interested in, and we will check the availability of the master. Also, we propose customized tour based on your request, such as combination tour of  temples and crafts masters, or craftsman tour to visit several crafts masters within a day.

Sample Itinerary -Combination of temple visit and weaving master visit-

9:30 Pick Up at Your Hotel

10:00 Visit Daitokuji Temple to enjoy rock garden and zen meditation

12:00 Enjoy buddhist vegetarian lunch

14:00 Walk along Nishijin District to enjoy old wooden houses

15:30 Visit Nishijin Weaving Master

17:30 Return to the hotel

*Fully guided one-day tour
Please inquire.

Tour Type:Private Tour (maximum 6 people)
Price:Tour fee of ¥82,000/group ~, all taxes covered.
Tour Fee Includes:English speaking guide and visit of crafts master(s) or temple(s) as agreed during planning process.
Tour Fee Not Included:Lunch and transportation fare.
Duration:Approximately 7 hours (including transportation)
Cancellation Policy:No refunds without exception for no-shows or cancellations within 7 days of the scheduled tour day (Japan time).
Weather:This tour is not cancelled for weather except in extreme circumstances (e.g., typhoons) in which case we will contact you and refund your payment in full.
Physical Activity:Light
Dress:Casual
*You may have to take off your shoes when you visit crafts master's workshop. Details will be provided when itinerary is set.
Wi-fi:Public wi-fi is not available along most of the route of this tour.
Photos/Protocols:Photography is allowed at most of the places but please follow the instruction of your guide.
Directions to Starting Point:At your hotel in central Kyoto.
Note:*Details will be provided after you register.
*Private car service is available at additional cost.
*If you want to visit specific type of crafts master, please mention.

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