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400-year Traditional Craft Tour in Takaoka - 15min from Kanazawa by Shinkansen

400-year Traditional Craft Tour in Takaoka - 15min from Kanazawa by Shinkansen

Art, Culture, & Historical

Car Tour (driving guide)

Joined 2026

Nozomi A.

5.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Toyama

English

5 hours

Private tour (only you and Nozomi A.)

Up to 4 people

Discover the amazing world of Japanese crafts! Just a 15-minute bullet train ride from Kanazawa, you will visit Takaoka, a famous town with 400 years of history.

Explore Zuiryuji Temple, a beautiful National Treasure, and see the giant Great Buddha.

Inside the lovely historic streets of Kanaya-machi, you will enjoy a nice lunch and visit a beautiful 19th-century gallery. There, you can talk with locals and make your own tin accessory to take home.

Come and touch the living tradition of Japan!

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:30 AM

Meeting Point

Shin-Takaoka station/ Hotel pick up

- I can meet you at the station's north exit or pick you up at your place in Takaoka city.

09:40 AM

Zuiryuji Temple: National Treasure & Spiritual Heritage

Discover one of Toyama’s few National Treasure temples, completed in 1659. This stunning complex serves as the mortuary temple for Toshinaga Maeda, the second feudal lord of the Maeda clan and the founder of the Takaoka copperware industry. The temple’s grand architecture beautifully reflects the deep history of the city's craft heritage

10:30 AM

Kanaya-machi District: The Birthplace of Takaoka Copperware

Step back in time as you stroll through this beautifully preserved historic district, where the 400-year history of Takaoka copperware began with just seven master craftsmen. The charming streets blend tradition with innovation, featuring shops that offer everything from timeless cultural items like chagama (iron tea kettles) to sophisticated modern lifestyle goods and contemporary jewelry. Enjoy warm conversations with the local artisans and see how this proud tradition lives on today.

Exclusive Casting Workshop & Gallery Tour in Kanaya-machi

Visit a historic metalwork wholesale house and gallery founded in the 19th century, located on Kanaya-machi’s main street. Here, you will tour the beautifully preserved architecture and its serene traditional Japanese garden. You will also enjoy a hands-on workshop led by a professional designer, where you will craft your very own bespoke tin accessory—a perfect, personalized souvenir to take home

Lunch: A Dining Experience in Historic Ambience

Choose your preferred dining spot in advance from a curated selection of restaurants in the Kanaya-machi area. Each venue is beautifully integrated into the historic preservation district, offering a unique and charming atmosphere. Enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by the timeless beauty of traditional Japanese architecture.

02:00 PM

The Great Buddha of Takaoka: A Masterpiece of the People

Standing 16 meters tall in the heart of the city, this magnificent bronze statue is revered alongside those in Nara and Kamakura as one of Japan’s three greatest Buddha statues. Unlike others commissioned by powerful rulers, this Great Buddha was funded entirely by public donations and brought to life by local craftsmen. It stands today as a proud, accessible symbol of community spirit and Takaoka’s metalworking mastery.

Ending Point

Shin-Takaoka station or your place

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

What‘s included

- Guide fee

- Hotel/ Station pick-up within the city center

- Private transportation (Compact Minivan)

- Gasoline fee

- Toll fee, parking fee

What‘s not included

- Lunch for you and guide (1300- 15000 JPY: The price range varies depending on the restaurant you choose in advance)

- Workshop Fee (2500- 3500 JPY per person)

Tour Important Information

Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

Please inform me of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when booking.

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 2026

Nozomi A.

5.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Nozomi A.

Hello! My name is Nozomi. I am a Regional Licensed Guide Interpreter based in Toyama, covering the beautiful Hokuriku area.

I am a unique blend of an outdoor enthusiast and a cultural researcher. For years, I have studied cultural anthropology and traditional crafts, with a deep interest in Japanese folklore and kimono culture. At the same time, my heart belongs to the mountains. I love trekking, hiking, skiing, and backcountry skiing.

To me, Hokuriku is the ultimate destination because it offers the best of both worlds.

When we hit the trails, I love engaging all five senses to truly connect with nature. I can accommodate activities ranging from beginner levels—using transport to enjoy the views—up to intermediate treks involving 2 hours of sweaty, active hiking. When we explore the towns, I love introducing you to local artisans who use centuries-old techniques to create modern art.

My goal is for you to deepen your understanding of Japanese culture through our journey together. One of my favorite parts of guiding is chatting with guests to discover the fascinating cultural similarities and differences between our worlds.

Whether you want to move your body in the great outdoors or enrich your mind through living traditions, I am excited to share my dual passions and show you the many faces of our region!

Reviews

Stephen F.

5 / 5

Oct 23, 2026

Hiking and Sightseeing in Takaoka

Oct 23, 2026

Toyama

6 hours 30 mins

Customized

“A great day with Nozomi”

We spent a full day with Nozomi. She was very concerned with our welfare, had good English and a had a wealth of local knowledge. We did a pleasant hike through a lush hardwood forest up past monuments to an early poet ending at an overlook over the ocean, then to the Amarahashi Coast with the iconic rock and cave. Takaoka is an ancient center of metal work located in a historic district. Nozomi was friends with artisans working in gold, silver and tin, in various styles and we toured several shops. We also had a long fascinating visit with one of only three craftsmen in Japan who makes and tunes the bells in Buddhist temples. The entire visit was relaxed, uncrowded, not touristy (we saw no Westerners during the entire day) and very interesting and pleasant. I can give Nozomi the highest recommendation.

Nozomi A.

Thank you so much for such a wonderful and heartfelt review! It was a real pleasure spending the day with you. Actually, this was my first time combining both of my favorite things to guide—local traditional crafts and nature hiking—into a single day, so I am thrilled that you enjoyed it so much. I also had a great time during the hike and lunch, chatting and sharing our cultural differences and discoveries. I am especially glad that I could introduce you to the temple bell craftsman. I hope that rare experience brought you a new perspective and that its memory stays with you like a beautiful echo during the rest of your time in Japan. Next time, I hope you can return to see the Tateyama Mountain Range over the ocean from the Amaharashi Coast. You are always welcome back to Takaoka!