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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 and its surrounding area prospered and are the producing areas 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 it and also experience in making crafts.
Meeting Point
Takefu Station
Udatsu Paper & Crafts Museum
You will learn a basic knowledge of washi paper making viewing an artisan or craftsman producing it.
Washi Villlage Tour
Explore a small washi village in the nice and tranquil atmosphere where it has prospered since the ancient period. You can enjoy viewing the classic example of traditional Echizen houses as walking.
Washi Paper Workshop Tour & Experience
Explore a workshop to learn how washi paper is made from fibers taken out of barks of trees and experience in making washi using their tools if you wish. Workshop(s) we visit are basically making various size of paper and/or you can see how designs on a paper are created by a craftsman's hands.
Okamoto Jinja Shrine and Otaki Jinja Shrine
These shrines have over 1,500 and 1,400 years of history, respectively and it is the complex building structure with dignity appearance. The goodness of paper making has been enshrined in Okamoto Jinja Shrine which is only one in Japan and has been designated a National Important Traditional Culture.
Lunch in The Echizen Washi Village
Enjoy eating traditional dishes using locally harvested veges, fishes and meat.
Umeda Washi Paper Shop
Various handmade Washi paper products from over 40 makers are available at a 20% less price to the market. It is so much fun to explore the shop to see different style of paper works including envelops, letters, memos, trays, dolls, decorative paper, lampshades and etc.
Knife Village
Learn about how a handmade knife is made by viewing craftsmen making it from the 2nd fl of a factory as well as a small museum. 13 different companies with over 40 artisans/craftsmen are producing beautiful knives and sell at a shop in this village.
Oyanagi Tansu Chest Shop
Learn how a traditional tansu chest is made from viewing a craftsman produces. Every parts of tansu chest including decorative metal fittings and Hozo Tsugi (mortise and tenon technique without using nails) are handmade and you can close look how those small pieces are made by a craftsman.
Ending Point
Takefu Station
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Tour fee
Transportation fee related to the tour and lunch for you and a guide.
Factory tour for washi paper and Tansu chest: 2,200 yen/person
Workshop for washi paper: 2,200 yen/person
Tour Important Information
- Visiting places (washi paper, knife, pottery, tansu chest and lacquerware) are at your choice and time is flexible.
- Very economical taxi ticket supported by Echizen city is available at 500 yen for one direction. You can buy when you arrive at Takefu
Station.
- Echizen Pottery Village and a place of lacquerware are located relatively far from the central Echizen so a bus (very less operation) or a taxi at the ordinary price is necessary due to the outside of Echizen city.
Important message from the guide
booking notice has been changed
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Fukui Tour Reviews
“Great tour”
We had a fantastic day with Yoshie, we never could have seen as much in our short time in Kanazawa without her. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible—my husband, my 16 year old son and I all had a great time exploring, learning, and sampling all the delicious treats around town. Thanks again!
Yoshie K.
(31 reviews)Hi Laura, thank you so much for your kind review on my tour. It was a beautiful sunny day to walk in Kanazawa. Everybody was so energetic walking, eating, seeing and talking. I liked seeing your family's big curiosity about everything! Thank you again. Yoshie
Nancy G.
Echizen Crafts & Workshops - Fukui, Day Trip From Kyoto or Kanazawa
“A beautiful day learning about Echizen crafts”
Yoshie was the perfect guide for us. Her knowledge and translation skills helped make our visits to washi, tansu and knife-making studios so interesting. She was willing to answer any questions we asked. Lunch was delicious and our conversation was broad-ranging. Highly recommend.
Yoshie K.
(31 reviews)Hi Nancy, thank you so much for visiting the 'crafts town', Echizen and for your kind review. I am truly happy that you liked the time spent in Echizen and I enjoyed talking with you too. We have a large annual open workshops event in October in the widely ranged area. Hope you can come back some day! Thank you again. Yoshie
“Awesome walking tour!”
We had a wonderful day walking around Kanazawa with Yoshie. She took the time to explain and answer all of our questions. Highly recommended.
Yoshie K.
(31 reviews)Hi JP, I am very pleased to have your review on my tour. It was a very pleasant day walking around Kanazawa with you and your wife and we had lots of talk while walking and eating! I hope you will make wonderful memories in Japan! Take care! Yoshie
