Kanazawa Traditional Crafts Complete Guide: Experience & Shop 5 Famous Arts - Kutani Pottery, Kaga Yuzen & More
Kanazawa is the central city of Ishikawa Prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, where traditional culture and beautiful townscapes still remain today. During the era called "Edo" from the 1600s to 1800s, it flourished as one of Japan's leading castle towns, and it still retains much of its appearance from that time.
Japan has many particularly historical spots and centers of traditional crafts here, and just walking around allows you to feel the atmosphere of good old Japan. The crafts that have been refined over a long history are everyday tools that also possess artistic qualities.
Kanazawa's representative crafts, such as "Kutani Pottery" (a type of traditional Japanese ceramics) and "Kaga Yuzen" (a type of kimono dyeing technique), receive high praise both domestically and internationally for their beauty and technical skill.
This time, we will introduce the Traditional Arts that you can experience and purchase in Kanazawa in an easy-to-understand way, and provide hints to make your travel memories even richer.
Table of Contents
-In Kanazawa, Which Developed from a Castle Town, Traditional Arts and Crafts Still Thrive Today
-5 Famous Traditional Crafts in Kanazawa & Tourist Destinations You Should Visit
-3 Recommended Souvenir Shops Where You Can Purchase Traditional Crafts in Kanazawa
In Kanazawa, Which Developed from a Castle Town, Traditional Arts and Crafts Still Thrive Today
Kanazawa flourished as a castle town of the Maeda clan who ruled this area in the 1600s, and that history still lives throughout the town today. In this region where samurai and townspeople's cultures merged, diverse arts and crafts have been nurtured over many years. Traditional crafts such as "Kutani Pottery" and "Kaga Yuzen" (one type of kimono dyeing technique) are known for their vivid colors and delicate techniques, and while being everyday items, they are highly valued as artistic works.
Additionally, traditional techniques such as gold leaf work and lacquerware have been inherited and continue to evolve while connecting with modern design. Because Kanazawa has a background of developing from a castle town, these traditions still naturally blend into daily life and convey unique charm to visitors.
5 Famous Traditional Crafts in Kanazawa & Tourist Destinations You Should Visit
Kanazawa has many crafts, so if you're visiting for the first time, you might not know which ones are particularly famous. Therefore, we'll first introduce a carefully selected list of 5 famous Traditional Arts in Kanazawa and tourist destinations you should visit.
Kutani Pottery (Nine Valleys Pottery)
Kutani Pottery is colorful ceramics born in Ishikawa Prefecture around 1655. Its characteristics lie in bold and gorgeous color usage of red, blue, yellow, purple, and green, with intricately detailed patterns painted like paintings. Originally created by order of the local lord, it was nurtured as highly artistic work while being everyday tools for common people.
The style changed with the flow of time, but it has been passed down to the present day while creating distinctive styles for each era. Currently, there are not only traditional tableware and vases, but also many works that fuse with contemporary design, making it attractive to feel both tradition and newness simultaneously. Kanazawa Pottery (Kutani Pottery) is Traditional Arts that continues to be loved today because it has been supported by the depth of history and the reliability of craftsmanship.
Kutani Pottery Village
Source:Nomi City
"Kutani Pottery Village" is located in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and is a spot where you can experience the charm of Kutani Pottery all at once. In the museum, you can touch the high artistic quality through masterpieces using the color beauty of the five colors called "Kutani five colors" used in Kanazawa Pottery, and works by ceramic artists who received the Order of Cultural Merit.
There's also an experience corner where you can try painting on plates and cups. I also took home a plate I painted myself and use it during daily meals. I recommend it because it brings back fun travel memories. There are also painting experiences featuring popular Japanese anime characters like Ultraman and Hello Kitty, where you can paint ceramic figures of each character. It's a place that can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults.
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Address: 22 Izumidai-machi Minami, Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00
Regular Holidays: Open year-round (Museum closed on Mondays and year-end/New Year holidays. When Monday is a national holiday, closed the following weekday)
Phone Number: 0761-58-6102
Official Website: https://kutani-danchi.org/
Kaga Yuzen
Kaga Yuzen is a dyeing craft representing Kanazawa, characterized by painting painting-like patterns themed on nature on silk kimonos. It began in the 1600s and developed as samurai culture and townspeople culture intersected. The colors have a calm atmosphere, with nature motifs such as flowers, birds, and landscapes depicted realistically.
The charm also lies in the technique of blurring outlines and dyeing the outside of patterns dark and the inside light, expressing soft shadows. The gorgeous yet elegant finish is used widely from everyday wear to formal occasions and is still loved by many people today. In modern times, designs are also incorporated into interior items and accessories, with many items available for casual purchase.
Kaga-Yuzen Kimono Center
Source:Official website
"Kaga-Yuzen Kimono Center" is located in Kosho-machi, Kanazawa City, and is a facility where you can see, learn, and experience the charm of Kaga Yuzen. On the first floor and basement, you can appreciate special exhibition rooms, material displays introducing the production process, and colorful works.
There's also a hands-on experience corner where even beginners can dye colors using their favorite patterns on handkerchiefs or tote bags and take them home. I chose a tote bag, so I still use it for daily shopping and such. The second and third floors are rented out as multipurpose halls and training rooms, and exhibitions are sometimes held there.
As an experiential place connecting tradition and modernity, it's a recommended spot for tourists, families, and people touching Traditional Arts for the first time.
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Address: 8-8 Kosho-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00
Regular Holidays: Every Wednesday, year-end and New Year holidays
Phone Number: 076-224-5511
Official Website: https://www.kagayuzen.or.jp/hall/
Wajima-nuri Lacquerware
Wajima-nuri lacquerware is a type of lacquerware that has been passed down through generations in Wajima City on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture, representing one of Japan's most distinguished Traditional Arts.
The distinctive characteristics lie in the multiple layers of lacquer applied and the robust foundation created using cloth and diatomaceous earth, combining both durability and beauty. The lacquerware features elegant and refined finishes achieved by applying gold powder and decorations called "Raden" (mother-of-pearl inlay) on black or vermillion lacquer surfaces.
The origins trace back to the 1500s, developing alongside the castle town culture from the 1600s onward. Due to its high practicality, it spread as everyday tableware and continued to be valued as fine art, allowing this tradition to be preserved to the present day. Today, it has expanded beyond tableware and tea ceremony utensils to applications in accessories and interior decoration, becoming a craft that allows people to experience tradition in their daily lives.
Wajima Museum of Lacquer (Urushi) Art
Source:Wikipedia
The "Wajima Museum of Urushi Art" was established in 1991 in Wajima City as Japan's only museum specializing in lacquer art, where visitors can systematically learn about the history and techniques of lacquerware. The museum houses and exhibits not only Wajima-nuri lacquerware but also works by contemporary artists, recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit, and pieces from various regions across Japan and overseas, with this diversity being its main attraction.
Explanatory panels about the production process are also available, making it easy for beginners to understand. There are various hands-on experience corners where visitors can add color using metallic powder to pre-carved chopsticks and spoons, or create key chains by stamping designs on lacquered wood pieces. There's also a museum shop, making it an excellent place to purchase souvenirs.
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Address: 11 Yonjukari, Mizumori-machi, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed: December 29-31
Phone: 0768-22-9788
Official Website: https://www.art.city.wajima.ishikawa.jp/
Kanazawa Gold Leaf
Kanazawa Gold Leaf is a traditional craft created by stretching gold to its ultimate thinness, with Kanazawa accounting for approximately 90% of Japan's gold leaf production. The characteristic of Kanazawa Gold Leaf is its thinness of 1/10,000th of a millimeter, possessing beautiful brilliance that reflects light and flexibility.
It's widely used from Buddhist altars, temples, and tea ceremony utensils to modern crafts and architectural decoration.
The background of gold leaf development in Kanazawa relates to the fact that in the 1600s, only present-day Tokyo and Kyoto were officially authorized by the government to produce gold leaf, so it was manufactured in secret. During this era, craftsmen enhanced their technical skills and developed various innovations to perform delicate work.
Additionally, the humid climate was highly suitable for gold leaf production, which was another significant factor.
This tradition continues today, expanding into various forms such as accessories, cosmetics, and edible gold leaf, while being cherished by people both domestically and internationally. Much like the renowned Kanazawa Pottery traditions in the region, these Traditional Arts continue to evolve while maintaining their authentic heritage.
Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum
Source:Google Maps
The "Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum" was founded in 1974 by famous master craftsman Takaaki Yasue and relocated to Kanazawa's Higashiyama area in 2010, making it Japan's only museum specializing in gold leaf. The exterior, reminiscent of traditional Japanese wooden architecture called "Machiya," features decorations that actually incorporate gold leaf.
Inside the museum, approximately 300 craft items using gold leaf are displayed, including folding screens, lacquerware, costumes, and tableware spanning from around 1600 to the present day. There are also exhibits where visitors can learn about traditional tools used in gold leaf production and its history, allowing them to witness the passion and techniques of craftsmen up close. Interactive corners where visitors can experience the thickness and weight of gold leaf are also available, making learning about gold leaf enjoyable.
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Address: 1-3-10 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed: Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a holiday), December 29 - January 3
Phone: 076-251-8950
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/kinpaku/index.html
Yamanaka Lacquerware
Source:Yamanaka ONLINE STORE
Yamanaka lacquerware is a traditional craft that has been produced for approximately 400 years in the Yamanaka Onsen area of Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It excels in wood base processing techniques called "Hikimono," where wood is carved using a lathe to create thin, uniform vessels characterized by smooth curves and pleasant texture.
Multiple layers of lacquer are applied to this wood base, achieving both durability and beauty. The natural texture that showcases the wood grain is appealing, and a technique called "Makie," where gold powder is sprinkled to create patterns, is employed, combining elegance with tranquility.
Even today, numerous specialty shops exist throughout Yamanaka Onsen town, with modern designs adapted to contemporary times also emerging. Yamanaka lacquerware has the characteristic of retaining heat well, making it recommended for warm beverages.
Urushi-za - Yamanaka Lacquerware Museum & Shop
Source:Google Maps
"Urushi-za - Yamanaka Lacquerware Museum & Shop" is located in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, serving as both a museum and shop where visitors can experience the tradition and charm of Yamanaka lacquerware. The facility features a diverse collection ranging from traditional masterpieces to modern designs suited for contemporary living, making it enjoyable even just to browse.
The exhibition area offers free admission, making it easily accessible for casual visits. The shop sells Yamanaka lacquerware tableware and accessories that can be used casually in daily life at production-site prices. I personally purchased several pieces of tableware that seemed suitable for everyday meals.
Lacquer painting experiences are also available. Since the drying time is only about 10 minutes, visitors can take their creations home immediately, making it a casual and enjoyable activity.
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Address: 268-2 Tsukadani-machi I, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: 0761-78-0305
Official Website: https://www.yamanakashikki.com/
For Those Who Seek the "Authentic" Experience: Exploring with Locals While Searching for Souvenirs is Recommended
The "Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour," guided by English-speaking local guides who provide insights from a local perspective, offers content that allows you to feel Kanazawa's history in approximately 5 hours while strolling.
First, you'll visit Omicho Market, which has over 300 years of history, where you can experience local flavors through fresh seafood and vegetables.
Afterward, you'll extend your visit to "Kenrokuen," one of Japan's representative gardens, and the "Higashi Chaya District," where traditional architectural buildings from the 1800s line the streets.
You can also enjoy matcha and traditional Japanese sweets in historic buildings, experiencing Kanazawa's essence through all five senses.
Walking while listening to the local guide's stories will make both famous spots and shops dealing with Traditional Arts feel much more accessible, surely enhancing your travel satisfaction.
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Meeting point: In front of FamilyMart + Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour area: Around Omicho Market, Kenrokuen, and Higashi Chaya District
Start time: From 10:00
3 Recommended Souvenir Shops Where You Can Purchase Traditional Crafts in Kanazawa
While spending time experiencing Traditional Arts at Kanazawa's museums is certainly recommended, you'll naturally want to purchase and take them home as souvenirs.
From here, we'll introduce 3 recommended souvenir shops where you can purchase traditional crafts.
Kanazawa Craft Hirosaka
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
"Kanazawa Craft Hirosaka" is a select shop that brings together rare crafts symbolizing Kanazawa, the city of Traditional Arts, all under one roof, located within the Kanazawa Noh Museum near Kenrokuen.
Here, you'll find works of traditional crafts that now have few artisans, including traditional metalwork called "Kaga Sogan," embroidery that has been passed down in Kaga since ancient times, bamboo crafts, and local folk toys.
The first-floor shop offers everything from items suitable for daily use to artistic pieces you can enjoy simply by looking at them, allowing you to find items that complement your lifestyle.
The second-floor gallery also features exhibitions by young artisans, providing various perspectives on experiencing crafts.
I was also able to find a favorite piece that I can cherish and use for a long time.
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Address: 1-2-25 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture (Inside Kanazawa Noh Museum)
Business hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a holiday, closed the following day), December 30 - January 2
Phone: 076-265-3320
Official website: https://www.crafts-hirosaka.jp/
KANAZAWA M'ZA
Source:Google Maps
"KANAZAWA M'ZA" is a department store with a proud history in Kanazawa City, conveniently located right in front of Omicho Market.
The "Kuromon Koji" area on the first floor brings together a diverse array of souvenirs, from Traditional Arts like Kaga Yuzen, Kanazawa Pottery (Kutani Pottery), Wajima lacquerware, and gold leaf, to local Japanese sweets and Japanese sake.
There's also a display space for traditional crafts, so you can enjoy just looking around.
With tax-free services and foreign currency exchange available, it's a particularly convenient spot for overseas travelers. Wi-Fi is also available, and tablets are provided for searching tourism and gourmet information.
You can find all of Kanazawa's souvenirs by visiting here.
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Address: 15-1 Musashi-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 10:00-19:30 (business hours vary by floor)
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone: 076-260-1111
Official website: https://www.kmza.jp/
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts
Source:Official website
The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts, located right next to Kenrokuen, is the only facility where you can see all 36 categories of Ishikawa Prefecture's Traditional Arts, including Kaga Yuzen and Wajima lacquerware.
The first floor has a free-admission museum shop and exhibition space where you can purchase practical and beautiful works created by local artisans.
On weekends, demonstrations and workshops by artisans are held, allowing you to create and take home your own traditional craft pieces.
I experienced making coasters using traditional techniques and painting on lacquered lunch boxes. Using these items allows me to feel the memories of my trip and makes my daily lunch time more enjoyable.
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Address: 1-1 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: April-November: Every third Thursday of the month/December-March: Every Thursday and year-end/New Year holidays (excluding Thursdays that fall on holidays)
Phone: 076-262-2020
Official website: https://www.ishikawa-densankan.jp/
When You Come to Kanazawa, Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine and Drinks at Local-Beloved Restaurants at Night!
After enjoying Kanazawa's Traditional Arts, let's also savor Kanazawa's gourmet offerings.
The "Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour" is approximately a 3.5-hour night tour that visits hidden restaurants and bars beloved by locals, guided by English-speaking local guides who take you to three carefully selected establishments.
First, you'll visit a restaurant where you can enjoy exquisite dishes using seasonal ingredients, tasting fresh local fish and seasonal specialties alongside local sake. Next, you'll go to a shop where you can enjoy "Oden," a Kanazawa specialty of vegetables and fish paste simmered in broth.
You can also enjoy Japanese tea, matcha, and traditional Japanese sweets, making it comprehensive content that covers Kanazawa's unique gourmet offerings.
Since you'll be doing a food tour while strolling through areas where traditional samurai residences are gathered, you can thoroughly enjoy Kanazawa's scenery as well.
The tour fee includes the cost of food and drinks, so you can participate with peace of mind.
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Meeting point: In front of the clothing store "BEAMS" inside the Kohrinbo Ramoda Building
Tour area: Katamachi area
Start time: From 18:00
