Kyoto Urushi Lacquer Factory Tour and Chopstick Making Experience

5.0
(4 reviews)
Kyoto, Japan

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1 hour 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

As you enter the factory store "Und.", specializing in selling items and tools for lacquerware artists, you will immediately feel the ambience of a millennial culture that has been carefully preserved by generations of artisans. Your guide will explain the entire process of collecting sap from the Japanese lacquer tree and the following process of its refinement until it can be used by craftsmen.
During the tour of the factory you will see some of the well-kept secrets of refining and coloring lacquer for the needs of local craftsmen. This is a rare and unique opportunity which will give you insight into the elaborate work of Japanese artisans.
Following the factory tour you will visit the workshop area at the top floor and apply lacquer on a pair of chopsticks using the traditional "fuki-urushi" technique. You will take them with you as a present and a memory from this factory visit. The entire tour takes about 90 minutes and is conveniently located in the center of Kyoto.

What's Included

Applying lacquer to a pair of chopsticks
Tour the store and the factory
Guide
Private transportation

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please visit the Reception Desk located inside the Tsutsumi Asakichi Lacquerware Shop | Und. store.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What to expect

Kyoto's Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi factory refines over 70% of Japan's domestic urushi lacquer (the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree) and delivers high quality lacquer to lacquerware artisans and craftsmen around the entire country. Founded in 1909, Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi factory witnessed the decline of production and use of traditional Japanese urushi lacquer throughout the 20th century. The current 4th generation owner aims to reestablish the presence of urushi in everyday life by promoting the safe use of high quality lacquer not only for traditional items, but also for modern-day goods. In this experience you will have a private tour of the factory and apply lacquer on chopsticks.

Please Note:
- No large luggage storage available
- Wear clothes suitable for getting dirty
- Bookings accepted for any group size, but tour requires minimum 2 participants to operate
- If minimum not met, we may cancel by the day before, with full refund provided
- Tour conducted entirely in English
- We reserve the right to cancel due to weather or unforeseen circumstances

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by JTB KYOTO OFFICE

Tags

Historical Tours
Craft Classes
Small Group
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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Rating

5.0 Based on 4 4 reviews
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