Kyoto: Japanese Candle Workshop & Temple Art Viewing

Kyoto, Japan
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Duration3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, French
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

What makes this experience exceptional is the way it connects Kyoto’s living craftsmanship with the quiet appreciation of Japanese art.

Begin at Nakamura Rousoku, a long-established maker of traditional Japanese candles, where skilled artisans preserve techniques passed down through generations. Observe the delicate craft of wa-rosoku, learn about their natural materials and distinctive flame, and paint your own candle by hand.

The journey continues at Hōzōji Temple, closely associated with Itō Jakuchū and artists of his circle. After discovering the temple’s history, view selected Japanese paintings illuminated by the soft, wavering glow of wa-rosoku.

Unlike electric light, the living flame creates shifting shadows and subtle depth, revealing the paintings in a more intimate atmosphere. Guided throughout by a professional guide, this carefully composed experience brings together craftsmanship, history, sacred space, and the beauty of light.

A rare encounter with Kyoto’s heritage.

What's included

  • Guided visit to Nakamura Rousoku
  • Japanese candle painting experience
  • Professional licensed guide
  • Temple admission and experience fees
  • Candlelit art viewing at Hōzōji Temple
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to expect

  1. Nakamura Rosoku
    2h · Admission ticket included
    Founded in Kyoto in 1887, Nakamura Rousoku is a distinguished maker of traditional Japanese candles, preserving techniques that have been passed down through generations. At its workshop in Fushimi, skilled artisans continue to craft wa-rosoku by hand, using traditional materials such as haze wax and carefully building each candle layer by layer. During your visit, step inside this world of quiet craftsmanship, observe the refined techniques behind these distinctive candles, and experience painting your own Japanese candle under expert guidance.
  2. Hozo-ji Temple
    1h · Admission ticket included
    Hidden within the heart of Kyoto, Hōzōji Temple has a profound connection with Itō Jakuchū, one of the most distinctive painters of the Edo period. The temple preserves works associated with Jakuchū and artists of his circle, offering a rare setting in which to encounter this artistic legacy away from the atmosphere of a conventional museum. After visiting the temple and learning about its history, you will view selected Japanese paintings illuminated by the soft, flickering glow of traditional Japanese candles. In this intimate light, subtle colors, brushwork, shadows, and depth emerge differently, creating a contemplative encounter between painting, flame, and place.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please meet your guide in front of the ticket gates at Kintetsu Takeda Station. Your guide will be waiting for you at the station and will accompany you to the Japanese candle workshop, located just a short walk away.

End point

The tour ends in front of Hōzōji Temple in central Kyoto. From here, your guide can provide directions to the nearest station or help you plan your onward journey to your next destination.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
80,000.00 JPY per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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