Japanese Craft
〜Experience the handmade crafts of Echizen〜
Echizen Takefu, where traditional crafts are concentrated within a 10km radius! Here, we present a variety of unique experiences you can only enjoy here, including soba making, washi paper crafting, Echizen knives, and Echizen lacquerware—an immersive plan to experience it all!
Itinerary
①Echizen Soba Dojo / Soba making experience and tasting
Echizen Soba Dojo is a facility located in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, that offers soba making experiences. Established in 1985 as the first of its kind in Japan, it aims to preserve and promote the culture of soba. Visitors can learn about the roots and benefits of Echizen soba while participating in the hands-on soba making experience. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced participant, you can learn both the basics and advanced techniques of soba making. After the experience, you can also enjoy tasting the soba you’ve made yourself, which is one of the highlights of the experience.
②Echizen Washi no Sato / Japanese paper-making experience
Echizen Washi no Sato is a facility where you can experience the tradition and culture of Echizen Washi (Japanese paper). This area is known as the birthplace of Echizen Washi, with a history of over 1,500 years. In about 20 to 40 minutes, you can create your own original Japanese paper. You can enjoy designing your paper using pressed flowers, paper cuts, colored water, and more. After the experience, you can take home the paper you’ve made as a souvenir.
③Otaki shrine Okamoto shrine
Otaki shrine and Okamoto Shrine are located in Otaki Town, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, and enshrine "Kawakami Gozen," the deity of Japanese paper. These shrines are situated in the Goka area, known as the home of Echizen Washi, and symbolize the history and culture of Echizen Washi. The shrine buildings were established in 1843 during the late Edo period and are famous for having the "most complex roof structure in Japan." Due to their beauty, they were designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 1984.
④Takefu Knife Village / Knife sharpening and handle fitting experience
Takefu Knife Village is a facility dedicated to the manufacturing and sales of traditional blades, where visitors can experience the history and techniques of Echizen forged blades. It is a collaborative workshop that brings together 13 blade companies, allowing visitors to observe the work of blacksmiths and sharpening artisans. In hands-on workshops led by active craftsmen, participants can learn the process from fire forging to sharpening.The experience also includes handle fitting, allowing participants to craft a unique blade.
⑤Urushi no Sato Kaikan / Lacquerware painting experience.
Urushi no Sato Kaikan is a place where visitors can learn about the history and manufacturing process of Echizen lacquerware, as well as experience it firsthand. The experience programs offered include painting, gold inlay, and wiped lacquer techniques. In the adjacent artisan workshop, traditional craft artisans demonstrate the creation of lacquerware. The process varies daily, allowing visitors to observe different stages of production and feel the craftsmanship up close.
Required Time
8h20m
Taxi Fare
¥100,000
※Meals and facility charges are extra
Number of users
1 to 6 people