Walking tour of Yamanaka Onsen and tea ceremony experience at the samurai architecture "Mugen-an"

【OUTLINE】

This tour takes place in Yamanaka, a lacquerware town with over 450 years of history. It introduces the charm of Yamanaka Lacquerware, one of Japan’s Three Great Lacquerware traditions, accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Guided appreciation of Yamanaka Lacquerware, one of Japan’s Three Great Lacquerware traditions (with English guide)
• A tea ceremony experience—once considered an essential accomplishment of samurai—held in the grand Shoin-style hall designated as an Ishikawa Prefectural Cultural Property
• A guided walking tour through the Yamanaka Onsen district
• A guided tour inside Mugen-an, where you can experience traditional artisan culture

【DETAILS】

In Ishikawa Prefecture, there are three major lacquerware production areas known as “Woodturning in Yamanaka,” “Lacquering in Wajima,” and “Makie in Kanazawa.”

Among them, Yamanaka—renowned for its woodturning techniques—developed highly refined lacquerware as artisans competed to perfect their craftsmanship. Today, it is said to have one of the highest production volumes in Japan and is recognized as one of the Three Great Lacquerware traditions of the country.

The tour begins with a guided walk through the Yamanaka Onsen district.
In this plan, you will not only experience authentic Japanese lacquerware culture at its source, but also deepen your appreciation through a matcha tea experience using lacquerware pieces.
The tea ceremony takes place in the grand Shoin-style hall of Mugen-an, a building designated as an Ishikawa Prefectural Cultural Property. Here, you will learn the etiquette of the traditional tea gathering, once regarded as an essential refinement of the samurai class.

Why not experience Japan’s proud craftsmanship—Yamanaka Lacquerware—through an authentic cultural program at Mugen-an, the finest samurai residence of the former Kaga Domain?

【SCHEDULE】

[10:30] Guided walk through the town
[11:00] Arrival at Mugen-an and guided tour of the building
[11:30] Introduction to and viewing of Yamanaka Lacquerware
[12:00] Matcha tea experience
[12:30] Tour concludes

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：2 hours
• Meeting point： Yamanaka Onsen Kiku no Yu　[MAP]
• 〒922-0124 Ishikawa, Kaga, Yamanakaonsen Yunodemachi, １
• Access：40 minutes by taxi from Kaga Onsen Station
• Language support： Japanese, English
• Included：
  ・Matcha experience
  ・English-speaking guide
  ・Walking tour
• Excluded：
  ・Transportation to the meeting point
• Participation requirements：6 years and above
• Free Wi-Fi：No
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style)                                                   

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Until 72 hours before the experience start time: 0%
From 72 hours before the experience start time to start time: 100%
Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%