Fukui Private Tours
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Fukui Art, Culture, & Historical Tours
Echizen Crafts & Workshops - Fukui, Day Trip From Kyoto or Kanazawa
In the ancient period from the year of 710 to 794, Echizen was the capital of gigantic province spreading across the four prefectures in Japan. Due to that, Echizen prospered and has been the producing area of five national traditional crafts today which are all handmade including Washi paper, kitchen knives, lacquer wares, potteries, and tansu chests. It is only in Echizen that you can closely view how artisans/craftsmen produce at their workshops and also experience in making crafts.
Echizen Crafts & Workshops - Fukui, Day Trip From Kyoto or Kanazawa
Touch the Craftsmanship: Washi Paper making in Echizen
We will begin with a hands-on paper-making experience lectured by craftmen. Then let's visit to a studio specializing in large-format washi used by painters. Finally, we will visit Otaki Shrine, known for having one of the most intricate roofs in Japan. As we stroll along the river through the peaceful village, you'll discover the rich atmosphere of Echizen Washi village, where papermaking has thrived for over 1,500 years. Discover the deep spirituality and craftsmanship lies in paker making.
Touch the Craftsmanship: Washi Paper making in Echizen
Tour of Eiheiji Temple
(Highlights) Deep in the mountains of Fukui prefecture, Eiheiji Temple was established in 1244 by the Reverend Dogen as the facilities for Buddhist monks undergoing austere Zen training. It consists of 70 buildings being used for conducting various Buddhist practices. The temple is the "Sohonzan" (head temple ) of the "Sotosyu" sect of Buddhism and the source of worshiping among the followers. Besides immersing yourself in the solemn atmosphere the entire temple precincts produce, you can listen to the priests` lectures, participate in a "zazen" meditation and do cleaning the floors. In winter, the entire compound is covered with deep snow each year, creating the picture-perfect scene of a different world. (How to enjoy) When arriving at the temple, follow the guidance of the priests who will tell you how to behave politely in a Buddhist temple. You will be amazed at being in the spacious "tatami-matted" halls and seeing the images, decorations, pictures and ornaments for worshiping. While being in the purified environment, you will feel your mind enlightened and your soul refreshed. But, above all, quietly express your appreciation for your presence in the sacred place. (others) Transportation: Take a limited-express train bound for Kanazawa at JR Kyoto station and get off at Fukui station. The fare is 5,140 yen (although 200 yen lower on weekdays and in off-travel seasons) and the ride takes some 90 minutes. There is a bus service between Fukui station and Eiheiji Temple for the fare of 720 yen. It will take about 40 minutes. Admission fee: 500 yen. Accommodations: You can stay there overnight if you make a reservation two weeks in advance.
Tour of Eiheiji Temple
Fukui Unique Experience Tours
Half Day Meditation Tour - Eiheiji Zen Head Temple, Fukui
Zazen is silent meditation of Zen Buddhism and it is performed in sitting. This tour is to have an experience of Zazen at Eiheiji Zen Head Temple where it was founded by Zen Master Dogen who first taught Zen in Japan. The Temple has been filled with the bracing and serene atmosphere of Zen practitioners. Let’s try Zazen to see inside yourself and/or relax in the deep mountains during busy travelling.
Half Day Meditation Tour - Eiheiji Zen Head Temple, Fukui
Mochi (rice cake) Making and Visiting Crafts Making Villages With The History of 1500 Years
Mochi is a rice cake that is chewy, soft and delicious. This tour provides you a highly amusing experience where you can make the mochi on your own from steamed rice to round-shaped mochi filled with sweet red beans and one with toppings by a pestle and mortar in the old Echizen classic farmer's house. Echizen is a major crafts town so you can learn how artisans produce crafts very closely including washi paper using bark of a tree, lacquerware and knives derived from a Japanese sword.
Mochi (rice cake) Making and Visiting Crafts Making Villages With The History of 1500 Years
Traditional Mochi (rice cake) Making by Pestle & Mortar - Half Day Tour
Mochi is a Japanese rice cake that is chewy, very soft and delicious. This tour provides you a highly amusing experience where you can make the mochi on your own from steamed rice to round-shaped mochi filled with sweet red beans by a pestle and mortar in the Echizen classic farmer's house. You can make an intricate Chinkin pattern by carving with a knife and then gold/silver powder is inlaid into the surface to fix the design w/artisan. It will be quite a unique experience and such fun!
Traditional Mochi (rice cake) Making by Pestle & Mortar - Half Day Tour
Fukui Nature & Outdoor Tours
Fukui Tour Reviews
Martin B.
“Echizen Tansu and Sashimono day - excellent.”
From my early communications with Yoshie I was impressed with her quick responses and attention to detail. She went over and beyond my expectations with information, helpful suggestions, and even train times and connections, to make sure our rendezvous with her went to plan. As a group of Australian woodworkers our focus was very specific - Echizen’s tansu/Sashimono artisans. Yoshies plan to visit two makers, a store/showroom, the small local museum, and finally a small manufacturer of metal tansu fittings was excellent. Her choice of a sushi restaurant for lunch, and the small local café for afternoon ice cream was perfect! I was so impressed with her planning for our Echizen day that I asked her to organise the following days site seeing in Kanazawa. Which was another excellent well-paced day. Very highly recommended.
Yoshie K.
Hi Martin, thank you so much for your kind and warm review. It stimulates me to continue making tours with a big passion for future guests. I was amazed to see you all were so energetic and visited craftsman's stores/workshops with big curiosities although it was an extremely hot day. Please take care! Yoshie
Aiko O.
“Great time with Yoshie san”
She introduced my guests to the history of Eiheiji Temple and a lovely café, creating wonderful memories of Japan for them. They experienced the natural beauty of Fukui and said they would love to come back again. Thank you, Yoshie-san – she is a highly recommended guide!
Yoshie K.
Aiko-san, thank you so much for your kind review. I am truly pleased to hear that your guests had enjoyed the tour in Fukui. I look forward to seeing them again! Yoshie
Kiyomi K.
“Had the best day of my entire trip with Megumi!”
Words cannot express what this day brought to me. It was incredibly moving, powerful, scenic, life injecting. The washi paper tour demonstrated all the craft you can imagine and the people I spoke and met with were unforgettable, it literally had me questioning my life and wanting to move to Echizen haha. Megumi was so knowledgable, friendly, and so lovely. We spent the entire day together and it felt like being with a friend the entire time. If you’re thinking about this tour, don’t think! Just do it!!!!
Megumi Y.
Thank you for joining the Echizen Washi Village tour! Your smile lit up the day and made everyone in Echizen enjoy sharing the experience even more. If you ever visit Fukui or Japan again, don’t hesitate to reach out. Wishing you all the best on your journey ahead—I’m rooting for you!
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