Hiroshima:private Lacquer Workshop Experience Tour(gift Included)

You can see excepational lacquer ware and its making process by Kiyoshi Takamayama, whose work was chosen as a gift for leaders at G7 summit Hiroshima 2023. His story of transforming from Butsudan (Buddhist household altar) artisan to lacquer artist is also very educational and interesting. All of his works are unique and one of a kind, the colors he creates...I never get tired of looking at them. You can also see Butsudan chest if interested, this is what you can find only here, never miss the opportunity!

This workship ended up being one of the most meaningful experiences of my trip. The workshop is led by Hiroshima’s foremost lacquer artist, Naoya Takayama. Although he doesn’t speak English, our guide Michi translated for us throughout the experience. Michi was incredibly kind and warm 🥹 she had such a comforting, grandmotherly presence that made the entire workshop feel intimate and welcoming! I chose this experience because it felt truly unique compared to other options on Tripadvisor and I’ve always been drawn to traditional crafts. What we received was far more than just a hands-on activity. We gained insight into Takayama-san himself, his philosophy, and the deep history of lacquerware in Hiroshima. Seeing his work up close was stunning! The craftsmanship and detail are something you have to witness in person to fully appreciate. Since we booked on a holiday, his family was also there helping out. We learned about their family’s history in the Buddhist altar business and Takayama-san’s hope that his son will continue the lacquer tradition into the future. It added a deeply personal dimension to the workshop and made it feel like we were being welcomed into their story, not just attending a class. I truly hope to follow his future endeavors and see his continued success! Afterward our workship, we followed their recommendation and had lunch at Okonomiyaki Fumichan. It was absolutely delicious and the perfect way to end the experience! Months later, I still find myself thinking about this workshop. It sparked a new interest in lacquer ware and gave me a different perspective on Hiroshima. Hiroshima is not just as a historical site, but as a city deeply rooted in artistry, heritage, and peace! Takayama-san’s works were featured at the G7 Summit hosted in Hiroshima. During this same trip, I had the opportunity to stay at the hotel where the summit took place and later try the green tea that was served to world leaders in Onomichi. These small, interconnected moments gave me a deeper appreciation of how Hiroshima advocates for peace and showcases its cultural craftsmanship to the world. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and meaningful, personal encounters while traveling :)

Was a wonderful and fascinating experience, the lacquer work was stunning and learning about the process was really interesting.

What an incredible experience! It was an absolute joy to be able to learn about lacquer art from a true master of the craft. I loved learning the history of the shop and being able to see the master at work with my own eyes was brilliant! Takayama-sensei was such a font of information, and delightful to talk with, he even recommended me a very delicious okonomiyaki shop for me to try! My guide Michi was also wonderful to talk with, she was so kind and accommodating and I enjoyed sharing my trip details with her, and finding out about her homemade plum wine (very jealous). If you get the chance please do this experience! When will you get the chance to experience something like this? I will warn you though, all of the works in the shop are so beautiful you'll have to really try hard not to spend all your money on it all!

We had an amazing time on the lacquer studio experience. Watching the artisan at work was fascinating. The studio staff was very welcoming, and we even got the chance to try some of the techniques ourselves, which made the experience even more special. It was both educational and deeply memorable—a perfect blend of culture, creativity, and hands-on fun. Highly recommended!

We had a wonderful afternoon learning the art and craft of lacquerware. Takayana-San is a fourth generation master, and shared with us his family history and the process, along with his wife and family. Michi, our guide and translator, was very helpful and answered all our questions. In true Japanese generosity, we had refreshments and a gift. All in all, a memorable experience we highly recommend!

This was hands down the best experience we had during our trip to Japan. We spent 17 days traveling throughout Japan, seeing the sites and having experiences, but none came close to the cultural appreciation and art workmanship of this one. The communication with our guide prior to the day was smooth and easy. She was able to offer clear instructions on our meet place and even sent pictures of the outside so we could ensure we were in the correct spot. Upon arriving we found our guide was very fluent in English and an accomplished interpretor. This was key as the artist did not speak English. Her skill made communication very easy. The artist is a 4th generation lacquer artist and very accomplished in his craft. His work has been commissioned by the government for dignitaries and has won many international awards. We were honored that he let us in his private show room, and showed us what went into his craft. You even get to assist him in mixing some of the lacquer that he will then apply to his work, making you a very small part of that piece. After the tour and demonstration you are able to leave with a greater appreciation for what goes into this gorgeous art. You are able to shop his art and they do offer shipping. I recommend this for any adult group, but do not think it would be appropriate for young children

I was impressed by the work of this artist. It was an unforgettable morning! And my guide Michi was so kind and very professional. Thank you for this experience! 🥰🙏🙏🙏

This very professional tour / workshop provides an excellent insight into the techniques of making the traditional urushi lacquer ware. It takes place in the studio of a master craftsman who explicates the various steps in making urushi. The atmosphere of the tour is very pleasant, which is also supported by the very sympathetic interpreter Michi. I would recommend this experience to anyone with an interest in traditional Japanese arts /crafts.

This was a really interesting chance to meet a master craftsman and artist and learn about the history and the process of lacquer ware, as well as the butsudan family altars and Japanese customs related to them. Mr Takayama’s art is stunning and his passion for sustaining this traditional skill in the modern era shines through. A very enjoyable morning!

I participated because I was a fan of Takayama's work. I became an even bigger fan after the visit. It was a valuable time with the author, as they told us about the background of the creation and the process.

I have always been interested in lacquerware, but I have never had the chance to see the real Nakanaka, and I felt something elegant seeing the real thing in front of me. After many processes, it seems that good things still take a lot of time. I had a good experience.

I was very impressed by the fact that Takayama-sensei, despite his many years of experience in making altars for bass, was able to dive into the art world entirely new on his own, achieving results in a short period of time and paving the way. Lacquerware is supposed to be familiar to us, but it was very refreshing because I was ashamed to never see it made. The beauty of the quality finish of the product was amazing, but I thought it would be helpful to hear about the accumulation of processes leading up to it. It was a very valuable and worthwhile experience to be able to experience this in the middle of Hiroshima.

The explanation was also very polite and I had a very valuable experience with a lot of learning. I think it's rare to find such a satisfying experience in such a short time.

I had never been exposed to lacquer art before, but I was surprised by the lightness and elaboration of the products. I also learned a lot about the manufacturing process for the first time. I was able to see the actual production site and have a valuable experience. I was surprised and amazed at how the same drink can change palate and flavor just by changing the bowl. Thank you for answering various questions sincerely to Takayama-san.

I was moved by the encounter with traditional crafts cultivated for 110 years in my hometown of Hiroshima. Despite the materials and manufacturing methods used to ensure that gorgeous and colorful luxury lacquerware can be enjoyed for everyday use only, this gallery of wonderful gems embodies the beauty and sophistication of 'Wa,' and this is a wonderful Hiroshima content that allows visitors to experience its origins through hands-on experience. Above all, Mr. Takayama's calm and gentle way of speaking was a pleasant time.

I was able to observe the traditional Japanese crafts as a good example of translating them into an experience tour, but it was a valuable experience for me and a great fun and good opportunity. I really enjoyed the high skill and personality of Mr. Takayama and I felt the process of making this tour like that. We will continue to support you in the future!

I was not familiar with Buddhist altars or lacquerware, so I was worried if I would know how good it was or if I could enjoy it, but I was immediately drawn into the careful explanation by the craftsman Takayama. He was a very friendly person who answered various questions sincerely and we couldn't run out of stories. And I was most thrilled to see Takayama-san's lacquerware up close during the lacquerware and workshop tour. It was very satisfying to be able to experience some of the journeys and the content was really rich, and I became a fan of Takayama-san by the end. I'd like to buy Takayama's lacquerware someday.