3-Day Kutani Porcelain Studio Visit and Kanazawa City Tour
Description
Kutani porcelain, or Kutani-yaki is one of the most outstanding artistic crafts in Japan: the structure, detailed design, coloring and time that each and every craftsman takes to finish a piece are astounding. This tour is recommended for people who are interested in Kutani porcelain and would like a comprehensive look into Kanazawa at a time. The highlight of the tour is visiting private studio of the renowned Master of Kutani porcelain for an exclusive opportunity to see how the distinguished Master craftsman creates his pieces. And also, there are a lot of places, foods and culture you can't miss in Kanazawa. With a local expert guide you'll explorer the samurai city of Kanazawa with all its amazing sites such as Kenroku-en garden, Kanazawa castle, Nagamachi samurai district and more. Please enjoy staying at the "Ryokan" hotel which are known for warm hospitality, excellent service and authentic food and rooms designed in the typical Japanese style. Relaxing "Onsen" spa experience and extravagant cuisine of "Kaiseki" dinner are also included.
Inclusions
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Kutani porcelain studio visit and Kanazawa city tour
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2 nights of accommodation at the traditional "Ryokan" hotel in Kaga city with complimentary breakfast
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Full course "Kaiseki" dinner for 2 nights (drink not included)
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Japanese "Onsen" spa experience
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English speaking private guide and transport by private vehicle
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Entrance fees
Exclusions
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Food and drinks except the breakfast and dinner mentioned above
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Gratuities (optional)
Accommodation
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2 nights of accommodation at the traditional Japanese "Ryokan" hotel in Kaga.
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If the designated accommodation is not available, we will contact you to discuss alternative options.
Price
Please contact us
Max # of people
up to 8 for the studio of Choza Yamamoto
up to 5 for Kinzangama kiln
Additional information
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If a child under 13 years old is accompanying you, please contact us in advance.
Tour itinerary
Day1
10am-4pm
Welcome
Our guide and driver will meet you at Kanazawa station, Komatsu airport or your staying hotel in Kanazawa.
Kenroku-en garden
Kanazawa castle
Higashi chaya district
Traditional "Ryokan" hotel
Enjoy full course Kaiseki dinner and "Onsen" spa experience.
Day2
10am-4pm
Hotel pick up
Ohmicho market
Nagamachi Samurai district
Travel to Kaga city by a private car accross the beautiful countryside for about 1h.
Kutaniyaki Art Museum
Traditional "Ryokan" hotel
Enjoy full course Kaiseki dinner and "Onsen" spa experience.
Day3
10am-5pm
Hotel pick up
Kutani Porcelain studio visit
Visit either of the following studios according to your preference. Please inform us at the time of making reservation.
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Studio of Kinzangama Kiln
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Studio of Choza Yamamoto
Travel back to Kanazawa city.
Farewell
We will see you off at Kanazawa station, Komatsu airport or your staying hotel in Kanazawa.
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The above starting/ending time are approximate. We can modify them according to your schedule, if they are in the daytime. Please contact us.
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Please note that the itineraries and transportations may be subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances or events.
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If the designated accommodation is not available, we will contact you to discuss alternative options.
Optional tours
Following optional tours are offered to guests interested in additional experience or sightseeing to supplement the included components of our tours. You may choose to participate in some, all or none of the optional tours which are priced individually. Please contact us for more details.
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"Geisha" entertainment with traditional "Kaiseki" dinner
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Sake brewery tour (open from November to April)
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Kaga embroidery studio visit (accepted up to 4 people)
Kutani porcelain
Kutani porcelain, or “Kutani-yaki” represents a type of Japanese polychrome porcelain. Today, it has become known as gift items of the Imperial family. The “Kutani-yaki” was presented to Charles, Prince of Wales, as a wedding gift, and has also been favored by celebrities worldwide. Each “Kutani-yaki” has its own individual artistic touch. The existing art style is just one of the many that have existed over the years, as new styles were continuously developed, declined, discarded, and revived. This trip will offer you the opportunity to visit the workshops of the famous artisans. The artisans are known that their pieces are made for the Imperial Family.
Kinzangama Kiln
Kinzangama Kiln is a pottery located in Takando, Komatsu City in Ishikawa prefecture with more than 100 years of history. It specializes in over glazed paintings of Kutani porcelain, especially excels in "Kinsai", glaze painting with gold. Minori Yoshita, the third generation of the Kiln, has inherited various techniques of Kutani porcelain, improved the technique of "Yuri-kinsai" and was designated as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure). Yukio Yoshita, the fourth generation, is now exploring a new expression of colored “Kinrande” which is suitable to the times. At the kiln the guests will have the opportunity to see how the artists create their pieces and even create your own original piece of Kutani porcelain. The piece will be send to you by mail later.
Photo by Naoto Takano
Choza Yamamoto
His art pieces are made for the Imperial Family and for the Japanese government. Choza has designed and created several items of tableware used for the Imperial accession ceremony. “Sometsuke” is Choza‘s main art style. Deep blue elegant lines are designed over the tableware shaped as thinly and as beautifully as a flower. A sense of antiqueness can be felt from his art.
