“The Heart of Echizen Art and Crafts”

Thanks to Yoshie and her exceptional planning skills I was able to meet a broad range of local artisans, take part in workshops and learn so much about the local history and culture. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute with Yoshie, from my attempt at laquerware carving, to the memorable tour of a washi factory, soba noodle making and the incredible craft of tansu chest making. Yoshie was well organised, good humoured and a joy to be with. I wish I could have her as my guide for longer! She certainly made me want to return to such a beautiful and fascinating area. Thank you Yoshie !

Donna R.

5 / 5

Nov 20, 2025

Day 2 - Family History Event & Exploring Beautiful Nostalgic Town of Ikeda, Fukui

Nov 20, 2025

Fukui

7 hours 30 mins

Customized

“Best two days of our 3 week Japan adventure!”

The moment we secured our tour to Fukui with Yoshie was the moment when my most stressful part of our travel itinerary became or LEAST stressful! My cousin and I were on a quest to visit the less touristy area of Fukui to do some family ancestry research, but neither of us wanted to drive and with the areas we were to visit being so rural, we were at a loss as to how to even begin. As soon as Yoshie responded, she heard our wishes and began to create a travel plan that was perfect for us. She went over and above our expectations, going so far as reaching out to distant relatives we didn’t even know existed. She arranged for us to meet with them and to take us to the memorial grounds of our family and even made certain we came with incense and the appropriate flowers to place at both memorial grounds; something we certainly would never have been able to navigate without her service. She offered us a two day itinerary that included visiting two villages; one where my grandfather was born and another where my great-grandmother was born. She made arrangements for us to learn how to make washi paper, because Echizen is where the majority of Japan’s washi paper is made; we visited Takefu Knife Village, famous for where some of the best knives in Japan are forged; we took a soba-making class where we learned to make soba and then got to have a soba lunch using our own soba we just made, while overlooking a lovely Japanese Garden. She took us to the famous Vine Bridge in Shizuhara. I requested to buy rice to bring home because Shizuhara is well known for being a wonderful rice-growing area on account of its cold and clear running water, so we visiting a local grocery to buy rice. She also took us to two beautiful shrines and taught us proper protocol for visiting shrines. Last, but certainly not least, she suggested a farmhouse inn for us to stay at that was amazing, where we even woke up to wild Japanese monkeys outside our bedroom window! The icing on the cake!!

Yoshie K.

(56 reviews)

Hi Donna, I am so grateful to have your review. After a long time since we exchanged lots of emails, we finally met in Echizen with great joy. I am truly glad that you fulfilled your plan to meet your relatives and could visit the towns of your grandfather and ancestors as well as enjoyed the town of crafts, Echizen and Ikeda, Fukui staying at the farmhouse inn. I hope to see you again. Please take very good care of yourself. Yoshie

“Friendly and knowledgeable local guide for Echizen.”

Echizen area native, Yoshie, was an outstanding guide for the artisan community of Echizen. She has great connections so was able to introduce us to local crafts people who are real masters of their crafts, not just average people putting on a demo for tourists. Highlights were the tansu cabinet maker and the washi paper maker. We were able to make our own washi paper from start to finish—a large sheet that we can use for de oration or (in my case) for art. Yoshie was engaging, knowledgeable of Japanese history and culture, and warm. If you would like to experience some Kanazawa crafts, book this tour with Yoshie.

Yoshie K.

(56 reviews)

Hi Cathy, thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. We had such an exciting start at Echizen-Takefu station! I am so pleased to know that you enjoyed a whole Echizen Crafts Tour. We have many more interesting master craftsmen's work to view and hands-on experiences so I will expect you to be back in the town! Please take care! Yoshie