Nagoya Craftsmanship Lives On | Woodworking & Cloisonné Masters

Nagoya, Japan
Duration3h
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Highlights
-Meet master Nagoya Buddhist altar and Owari cloisonné artisans shaping living traditions
-Craft your own chopsticks from premium Kiso cypress using authentic artisan tools
-Observe delicate cloisonné brushwork and the rare moment of kiln opening
-Savor classic Nagoya regional dishes served on handcrafted lacquerware and cloisonné tableware
-Take home handcrafted chopsticks and a cloisonné chopstick rest as lasting mementos

Tour Overview
Nagoya’s craftsmanship still thrives today. This experience offers hands-on workshops with master artisans.
Craft Kiso cypress chopsticks with seventh-generation artisan Yasuyuki Iwata of Iwata Sanpo, then enjoy a Nagoya-style lunch in lacquered boxes.
In the afternoon, watch live Owari cloisonné demonstrations by Satsuki Nonaka of Ota Shippo, revealing these crafts as living traditions near Nagoya Station.

What's included

  • Lunch featuring Nagoya local cuisine
  • Owari cloisonné chopstick rest souvenir
  • Professional, English-speaking guide
  • Kiso cypress chopstick-making experience
  • Transportation to the meeting point
  • Drinks during lunch
  • Additional souvenirs or optional experiences
  • Guide gratuities (optional)

What to expect

Nagoya is a city where traditional craftsmanship remains part of everyday life. This immersive experience introduces Japan’s living craft heritage through hands-on workshops and direct encounters with master artisans.

Begin with Yasuyuki Iwata of Iwata Sanpo, a seventh-generation workshop specializing in Owari Buddhist altar craftsmanship. Learn the foundations of this tradition by crafting your own chopsticks from premium Kiso cypress using authentic tools under expert guidance. Lunch features classic Nagoya dishes served in elegant lacquered boxes, complemented by locally made cloisonné chopstick rests.

In the afternoon, meet Satsuki Nonaka, a sixth-generation master of Owari cloisonné enamel from Ota Shippo. Watch live demonstrations of delicate brushwork and firing techniques that create cloisonné’s signature depth and jewel-like colors. Through personal stories and demonstrations, these crafts are presented as living traditions. All venues are within walking distance of Nagoya Station, offering rich cultural insight with minimal travel.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

An interpreter guide and our staff will be waiting for you inside Wazamon Chaya.
Please let the reception staff know that you are here for the tour.

End point

An interpreter guide and our staff will be waiting for you inside Wazamon Chaya.
Please let the reception staff know that you are here for the tour.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please inform us of any dietary restrictions in advance.
  • Minimum age of participants is 12
  • This tour is conducted in English. A Mandarin, French, Spanish, German, or Korean-speaking guide may be available. Please contact the supplier in advance to check availability.

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
From
85,000.00 JPY per person
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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