Kaga Half-Day Tour: Discover Lacquerware & Matcha Traditions

A woman in a traditional kimono performs a Japanese tea ceremony, surrounded by exquisite lacquerware.

A woman in traditional Japanese attire performs a tea ceremony with lacquerware in front of a window overlooking lush greenery.

Three lidded red lacquerware bowls decorated with gold flowers sit on a black tray.

A long wooden table displays various lacquerware items in front of a wall of large windows overlooking a lush green forest.

Four people sit at a long wooden table facing a lush forest through large windows.

An older couple in traditional Japanese attire stands smiling in front of a traditional Japanese building.

A group of people enjoys a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, holding and sipping from ceramic cups while seated at a low table with lacquered trays.

Three individuals participate in a tea ceremony, preparing matcha in a traditional setting.

Three individuals are seated around a table, with the woman in the foreground examining a dark lacquered bowl, likely during a tea ceremony.

People participate in a tea ceremony, with close-ups on their hands holding tea bowls and whisks.

from ¥28,000

Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes (approx.)
Location: Kaga-shi, Ishikawa
Product code: EN-ISK-7283-72834

Discover the Art of Yamanaka Lacquerware & Experience the Ultimate Hospitality of the Tea Ceremony

【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 guided tour inside Mugen-an, where you can experience traditional artisan culture
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

【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.

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】

[11:00] Meet 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：90 minutes
Meeting point：Mugen-an Chabo Uruhashi [MAP]
6 shimotani-machi, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa 922-0127
Access：40 minutes by taxi from Kaga Onsen Station
Language support： Japanese, English
Included：
・Matcha experience
・English-speaking guide
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%

**2026