Traditional Mochi (rice cake) Making by Pestle & Mortar - Half Day Tour
Joined 2019
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!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Echizen-Takefu Station
- meet at JR Echizen-Takefu station
Chinkin Technique Workshop at Lacquerware Hall (60 min)
Echizen is the lacquerware production center of Japan. Make Chinkin pattern on a lacquerware by carving with a knife and then gold/silver powder is inlaid into the surface to fix the beautiful design.You can learn a delicate and intricate Chinkin technique from an artisan. All kinds of lacquerware including chopsticks, bawls, plates, luncheon mats etc are displayed and sold at lower prices.
Yamafutokoro Farmer's House (150 min)
Experience of making mochi (Japanese rice cake) from steamed rice by pounding with a pestle and a mortar. Then make round-shaped mochi by hand, filling with sweet red beans and also covered with crushed peanuts. It will be a great fun and memorable experience.
Lunch
Enjoy eating your handmade mochi after making it! Explore backyard mountain to see eatable wild vegetable.
Echizen-Takefu JR station - finish
Ending Point
Echizen-Takefu Takefu Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
tour fee
-Mochi making fee: 2,200 yen/person for a group of 3 and above, 3,000 yen/person for a group of 2.
-transportation related to the tour:
taxi is required for this tour due to no trains and less buses.
JR Echizen-Takefu sta. to a lacquerware hall: 1,000 yen using a taxi coupon subsidised by the governemnt
Lacquerware hall to Yamafutokoro: 1,000 yen taxi coupon
Yamafutokoro to JR Echizen-Takefu sta.: 5,700 yen
Tour Important Information
* Tour duration and a place of lacquerware can be changed at your request.
*This tour requires taxes due to no transportation or less operation of buses. (Please see tax fares in Included/Not Include.)
*Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
The lacquerware hall is closed every 4th Tuesday. When it is closed, washi paper museum is recommended to visit. Artisan will show you how the traditional washi paper is made using the bark of a tree.
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
Joined 2019
About Tour Guide Yoshie K.
Hi, I am Yoshie. I am a national government licensed English speaking Guide. I used to work for multinational companies and served as an interpreter for several years and travelled around Japan with coworkers. I love plants, nature, travelling as well as finding good places to eat! I am also a communicative person.
After having lived in Tokyo for some decades, now I live in my hometown, Fukui where you can have a great experience of Zen buddhism in the head temple of the Zen sect, Eiheiji which was founded in 1244. Fukui Dinosaur Museum is very popular regardless of age. It is one of the world's three largest dinosaurs. Echizen is also well known for Japan's handmade crafts including kitchen knives, washi paper, lacquer wares, Tansu chests and pottery. Seeing craftsmen's work right in front of you makes you excited and impressed.
I have been travelling Kanazawa since my high school age so I know well about the town to show you around as well as Shirakawago, a day trip from Kanazawa.
I am excited to meet you and coordinate what you are really interested in to make you the happiest memories in Japan.
I look forward to guiding you soon!
Reviews
Lenore M.
“Kanazawa Tour with Yoshie ”
We had so much fun today on our tour of Kawazana with Yoshie. Yoshie was instrumental in planning our day, researching options and offering sound advice and suggestions to tailor a fun day for us. We all had great time dressing up in Kimonos while Yoshie took photos and interpreted. It was a highlight of our Japan trip so far. Yoshie is knowledgeable and experienced. Highly recommend.
Victor B.
“Excellent Guide”
Toshi was our guide for 2 full days. She contacted us online, well before we met, to arrange a tour that accommodated our interests. In Echizen, we visited the lacquer art area, had lunch, and learned how to make mochi in a local woman’s house, visited an art museum, and a knife making factory. The second day with her was spent in Kanazawa in the Samuri area,, the Kenrokuen Garden, and the Geisha area. We thoroughly enjoyed the time we spend with Yoshi. She was well informed, and provided us with in depth historical background. We learned a lot, had fun with her, and recommend her very highly.
Yoshie K.
Hi Victor & Stephanie, thank you so much for your warm and quick review. The 2 days were so quick and fun to be talking with you on all subjects during the tours. I am truly glad that you enjoyed all the experiences and visits in Echizen and Kanazawa. Thank you again, Yoshie
Anastasiia G.
“10 out of 10”
I'm a travel agent writing on behalf of my clients. The travellers loved this tour, Yoshie was amazing! The communication was excellent and she helped the travellers navigate the public transport in Fukui. Highly recommend this tour! Thank you!
Yoshie K.
Hi Anastasiia, thank you so much for your review. Eiheiji, Zen Head temple, was in the mountain and has been very sacred and serene with monks passing briskly and silently as always. Guests enjoyed the temple and its town with spirituality. Hope to work with you again!
$211/ per group
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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.
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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.
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.