Traditional Arts and Crafts of Fukui
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Port
Tsuruga, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$209.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
On this engaging cultural adventure, delight in a colorful introduction to Japanese handicrafts whose specifications have been handed down over many centuries.
Begin with a scenic, one-hour coach ride to the Urushi-no-sato Lacquerware Shop. Japanese craftsmen began producing lacquerware more than 1,500 years ago in Sabae City. The traditions of this three-step process continue today, producing exquisite pieces of art that you can purchase at the shop.
A short drive brings you to Echizen Washi no Sato Japanese paper shop, where you'll try your hand at producing beautiful washi (Japanese paper). An instructor will take you step by step through the process of creating an original, flower-strewn paper that you can take home and proudly say you made yourself.
Next, visit the Takefu Knife Village shop showcasing blade crafts and sword making, dating back to the early 14th century. Takefu, as it stands today, was created in 2005 when a group of craftsmen, noticing that interest in the art of blacksmithing was fading among the younger generation, banded together to create a modern facility to attract a new demographic of knifemakers. Using steel from nearby Takefu Special Steel Company, each knife is handcrafted and named for the blacksmith who created it.
Conclude this fascinating day with a local specialty during lunch -- before a relaxing coach ride back to Tsuruga.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring local currency, as many vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars.