10 Refined Cultural Experiences in Kanazawa

Kanazawa: A City Renowned for Refined Japanese Culture

Situated along the Sea of Japan in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa is a city steeped in culture and history, where the samurai lifestyle, Edo-era charms, and centuries-old craftsmanship are well-preserved to this day.

No wonder it's been nicknamed "Little Kyoto" for its elegant teahouses and historical districts that blend timeless beauty with the crafts of talented local artisans. Among these notable crafts are the decorative Kutani ware, the mending technique of kintsugi using gold leaf, rustic Ohi ware, and Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing.

Discover Kanazawa’s rich craftsmanship through 10 refined cultural experiences—from kintsugi and Kutani ware to tea ceremonies and sake tastings—all held within storied cultural landmarks.

These unique workshops are offered by the Japanese experience booking website Wabunka.

10 Refined Cultural Experiences in Kanazawa

1. Urushitoki Sadaike: Traditional Kintsugi Experience in Kanazawa
2. To-an: Create Kutani Ware Matcha Bowls
3. Yuzen Kukan Kobo Hisatsune: Atelier Tour & Silk Painting Experience
4. Ohi Museum: Private Tour & Enjoy Matcha in Ohi Ware
5. Urushitoki Sadaike: Lacquerware Decoration Workshop
6. Sowaryu Sowakai: Experience a Sowa Style Tea Ceremony
7. Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute: Private Sake Tasting and Gallery Tour
8. Maki no Oto Kanazawa: Enjoy Kanazawa's Fine Cuisine and Bonsai Making at a Machiya
9. Kanazawa Gyokusentei: Enjoy Kaga Kaiseki Cuisine, Tea Ceremony, and a Tour of a 400-Year-Old Garden
10. Fukumitsuya: Taste the Finest Sake at Kanazawa's Oldest Brewery

1. Urushitoki Sadaike: Traditional Kintsugi Experience in Kanazawa

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

At Urushitoki Sadaike, a fourth-generation lacquerware workshop in Kanazawa, visitors can observe traditional craftsmanship using natural Japanese lacquer. Participants will get a rare hands-on experience with kintsugi, the art of mending pottery with lacquer and gold, and can take home their creation the same day.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

This immersive experience offers an intimate look into the cultural spirit and artistry of Kanazawa’s lacquerware tradition.

2. To-an: Create Kutani Ware Matcha Bowls

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Join internationally acclaimed ceramic artist Masayoshi Yoshioka in his private Kanazawa atelier, To-an, for a hands-on pottery experience crafting Kutani ware matcha bowls. Under his guidance, participants will shape clay on the wheel, then enjoy tea and traditional confections served in Kutani ware ceramics.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

While waiting for your piece to dry, Yoshioka will share the 400-year legacy of Kutani ware and his unique artistic philosophy of this mesmerizing craft.

3. Yuzen Kukan Kobo Hisatsune: Private Atelier Tour & Silk Painting Experience

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In Kanazawa, take a private tour of Yuzen Kukan Kobo Hisatsune, a renowned atelier led by Kaga Yuzen master Toshiharu Hisatsune, known for creating pieces for the Imperial Family.

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Learn about the intricate dyeing techniques used on kimonos, then try your hand at painting a handkerchief using traditional methods. This rare experience offers a personal introduction to one of Japan’s most refined textile arts.

4. Ohi Museum: Private Tour and Enjoy Matcha in Ohi Ware

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Explore the 360-year legacy of Ohi ware at the Ohi Museum, located at the historic Ohi Chozaemon Kiln in Kanazawa. Guided by 11th-generation ceramic master Toshio Ohi Chozaemon XI, you'll get an intimate view of tea utensils dating back to the Edo period and tied to the Kaga domain.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

The experience concludes with matcha served in Ohi ware tea bowls at the Nennenan teahouse, offering a sensory immersion into Kanazawa’s tea culture.

5. Urushitoki Sadaike: Lacquerware Decoration Workshop from a Local Artisan

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At Urushitoki Sadaike, a fourth-generation lacquerware workshop in Kanazawa, visitors can watch the entire process of traditional lacquerware production—from harvesting urushi sap to crafting wooden bases.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Under the guidance of master artisan Takashi Sadaike, you’ll try your hand at maki-e, a decorative technique using natural lacquer with real gold and silver powder. This hands-on experience offers a rare chance to create and take home a piece of authentic Japanese craftsmanship in a single day.

6. Sowaryu Sowakai: Experience a Sowa Style Tea Ceremony

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At the historic Shokoan residence, a designated Kanazawa cultural property, guests can experience an elegant tea ceremony led by the head of the Sowaryu Sowakai, a group steeped in the traditions of the aristocrats and samurai class.

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Learn proper tea etiquette, observe an authentic Sowa-style ceremony, and enjoy matcha with seasonal wagashi confections. This refined experience offers a deep dive into Kanazawa’s tea culture and the aesthetic spirit of Japan.

7. Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute: Private Sake Tasting and Gallery Tour at the Brewery of Noguchi Naohiko

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Just an hour from Kanazawa, the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute offers a private tour and tasting experience at the brewery of Japan’s legendary "god of sake brewing."

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Surrounded by lush nature, guests explore a gallery on Noguchi’s life and sample five premium sake varieties, some available only locally. This personalized experience offers a rare glimpse into the artistry and philosophy of a master sake brewer.

*Sake brewing tours are available only during the winter brewing season (November to March).

8. Maki no Oto Kanazawa: Enjoy Kanazawa's Fine Cuisine and Bonsai Making at a Machiya Townhouse

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Stay overnight at Maki no Oto Kanazawa, a charming four-room inn in the historic Higashi Chaya District, blending traditional machiya style with modern comfort.

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Enjoy a hands-on bonsai-making workshop instructed by a local artisan, with your creation displayed in your room. Savor refined Japanese cuisine on-site or at a recommended partner restaurant, immersing yourself in Kanazawa’s rich culture of food and art.

*The bonsai-making experience is only available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
If you check in on Monday, the bonsai experience will automatically be scheduled for Tuesday.

9. Kanazawa Gyokusentei: Enjoy Kaga Kaiseki Cuisine, Tea Ceremony, and a Tour of a 400-Year-Old Garden

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At Kanazawa Gyokusentei, indulge in an exquisite Kaga kaiseki meal crafted with seasonal local ingredients and served in a beautifully restored 200-year-old samurai residence.

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Overlooking the serene Gyokusen-en garden—among the oldest in Kanazawa, developed over generations by a samurai family—the setting evokes centuries of history and aesthetic tradition.

After your meal, take a peaceful stroll through the 400-year-old garden and participate in an authentic tea ceremony at Saisetsu-tei, Kanazawa’s oldest teahouse, for a sensory journey into the heart of Japanese culture.

10. Fukumitsuya: Taste the Finest Sake at Kanazawa's Oldest Brewery

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Founded in 1625, Fukumitsuya is Kanazawa’s oldest sake brewery, known for using pristine water that has filtered underground for a century from Mt. Hakusan.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Visitors can enjoy a Wabunka-exclusive sake tasting featuring the brewery’s finest selections, paired with complementary snacks. From November to March, guests can also opt for a guided brewery tour to explore the art of traditional sake making.

*Only individuals aged 20 and older are allowed inside the brewery.

Craft, Culture, and Charm: Book a Timeless Experience in Kanazawa

Discover Kanazawa through 10 refined experiences that showcase the city’s craftsmanship and culinary heritage.

From crafting Kutani ware and practicing kintsugi to enjoying tea ceremonies, bonsai making, and sake tastings, each activity offers hands-on insight into centuries-old traditions. Set in historic teahouses, gardens, and ateliers, these immersive workshops will connect you deeply with Kanazawa’s culture of artistry and elegance.

Main image courtesy of Wabunka