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Kintsugi Workshop in Kanazawa

Kintsugi Experience
​【Shared】

Experience

25,000yen / 1 person

10:00-11:15/12:00-13:15 /14:00-15:15

Meeting Point:

IN KANAZAWA HOUSE(MAP)

Language:English/Japanese

What's Included: Your work , Tea ,materials and tools for kintsugi

Experience Overview

Join a Kintsugi Workshop in Kanazawa

Discover the Japanese art of kintsugi in a beginner-friendly workshop at IN KANAZAWA HOUSE. Under the guidance of Rin Kiyose, a young artisan born into a family that has practiced Kaga maki-e in Kanazawa for four generations, you will learn about Japanese lacquer, gold decoration and the philosophy of giving damaged objects a new life. During this hands-on kintsugi workshop, you will work on a piece that has been carefully prepared by the artisan. You will participate in selected finishing stages, including lacquer application and gold decoration, using the tools and materials provided. After completing the activity, enjoy tea in the atmospheric setting of a restored Japanese townhouse and take home the piece you helped finish. Individual travelers are welcome. The workshop accepts between one and four guests, and other participants may join the same session.

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What Is Kintsugi?

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese lacquer technique used to restore damaged ceramics. Broken sections are traditionally joined and filled with urushi lacquer before the repaired lines are decorated with metal powder, often gold or silver. Rather than making the damage invisible, kintsugi treats the repaired lines as part of the object’s character. Each finished piece is different because every crack and repaired line creates a unique pattern. Kintsugi is often connected with the Japanese appreciation of imperfection and change. The object’s damage is not denied; it becomes part of its continuing history. This approach has made kintsugi internationally recognized not only as a craft technique but also as a way of thinking about resilience, renewal and the value of repair.

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What Will You Do in the Workshop?

A complete traditional kintsugi repair requires several stages and long drying periods. It cannot be completed from beginning to end during a 60-minute travel experience. For this workshop, the artisan prepares the piece through the earlier repair stages before your arrival. You will then take part in selected finishing stages suitable for the available time. During the workshop, you will:

  • Receive an introduction to kintsugi and Kaga maki-e

  • Learn about lacquer and gold-decoration materials

  • See the tools used by the artisan

  • Work on a piece prepared in advance

  • Apply lacquer to the final joint

  • Add gold decoration under guidance

  • Learn about the meaning of visible repair

  • Enjoy tea after the hands-on activity

  • Take home the piece you helped complete

Depending on availability, guests may be able to choose from a small plate or an accessory. Exact shapes, colors and designs vary.

This is an introductory cultural workshop rather than a complete professional repair course.

Learn from a Kaga Maki-e Artisan

Maki-e is a Japanese decorative lacquer technique in which gold, silver or other metal powders are applied to lacquer. Kaga maki-e is closely connected to Kanazawa’s long history of traditional crafts. It is known for detailed decoration, controlled use of gold powder and techniques that create visual depth through repeated application and polishing. The skills required for maki-e—including precise lacquer application, understanding drying conditions and handling metal powder—are also closely related to the decorative finishing of kintsugi. Learning from an artisan raised in this tradition gives guests an opportunity to understand kintsugi within the wider world of Japanese lacquer art.

 

Meet Rin Kiyose

Rin Kiyose was born and raised in Kanazawa and represents the fourth generation of a family that has preserved the tradition of Kaga maki-e. She grew up surrounded by lacquer, gold powder, traditional tools and the work of earlier generations of the Kiyose family. After studying at Kanazawa College of Art, she continued creating her own work while learning from her father, Akihito Kiyose, the third-generation master of the family workshop. Her approach connects the technical knowledge inherited from her family with the perspective of a younger contemporary artist. During the workshop, Rin introduces the process in a way that is accessible to travelers and first-time participants.

 

A Beginner-Friendly Japanese Craft Experience

No previous experience with ceramics, painting, lacquer or kintsugi is required. The earlier repair stages are completed by the artisan before the session, allowing beginners to focus on the delicate finishing process. The group is limited to a maximum of four guests. This small-group format allows the instructor to demonstrate the process clearly and assist each participant. Guests should be comfortable working carefully with small tools and following safety instructions. If you have concerns about eyesight, hand mobility or other accessibility requirements, please contact us before booking.

Google Reviews

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2026.7　James Hong

★★★★★

Attending the Kintsugi, you get to experience the traditional craft that is unique to Japan. It was led by the artisan master (Rin Kiyose), who you get to see for yourself and will be inspired by. Highly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there an English kintsugi workshop in Kanazawa?

    • Yes. This kintsugi workshop at IN KANAZAWA HOUSE is available in English and Japanese. It is suitable for international travelers and beginners.

  • Is this workshop suitable for beginners?

    • Yes. No previous experience with ceramics, lacquer or kintsugi is required. The instructor will demonstrate the process and assist participants during each stage.

  • Do I repair a broken ceramic from the beginning?

    • No. Complete traditional kintsugi takes much longer than 60 minutes. The artisan prepares the earlier repair stages, and guests participate in selected lacquer and gold-decoration stages.

  • Can I bring my own broken pottery?

    • Bringing your own damaged ceramics is not included in the standard workshop. Please contact us separately if you would like to discuss a repair.

  • Is this a traditional kintsugi workshop?

    • The experience introduces lacquer application and gold decoration related to traditional Japanese kintsugi. Because of the limited workshop time, guests complete selected finishing stages rather than the entire repair process.

  • Can I take my work home?

    • Yes. You can take home the piece you helped complete. Please follow the instructor’s guidance concerning handling, packing and any remaining drying time.

  • What can I make?

    • Depending on availability, guests may choose from a small plate or an accessory prepared by the artisan. Exact designs and colors vary.

  • Is gold used during the workshop?

    • Gold decoration is applied during the finishing process. 

  • Who teaches the workshop?

    • The workshop is taught by Rin Kiyose, a fourth-generation artisan from a family that has preserved Kanazawa’s Kaga maki-e tradition.

For a private artisan workshop visit, explore our Private Kintsugi Experience in Kanazawa.​

https://www.in-kanazawa.com/kintsugi-experience

Experience Details

25,000 yen/ 1 person

​◎Schedule

​​Example:  10:00 start

10:00  Meet

10:00-11:00 Workshop

11:00-11:15 Tea time

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◎ Payment Method : By Credit Card /PayPal

＞Payment and Cancellation Details

Number of guests required for this tour/experience to take place:

Minimum number of guests*

Maximum number of guests*

1

4

*In the event of the cancellation of an experience, customers who booked through the official website will receive a full refund within 7 days. Customers who booked through another platform are advised to check the cancellation and refund policies listed on the website of the respective platform.

Meeting Point

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