The crafts city金沢の工芸

Some 250 craftsmen and women in Kanazawa beat 0.0001 mm-thick gold leaf for use in temples, including the gold for Chuson-ji's Konjikido at Hiraizumi, Buddha statues, traditional crafts, kimono accessories, food, and cosmetics. The technique was perfected here in the late 16th century when Maeda Toshiie attracted gold leaf craftsmen; Kanazawa's high humidity, low dust climate is genuinely ideal for the delicate beating process.

Buy from Hakuza Hikarigura in Higashi Chaya (the flagship, with its pure gold-platinum-walled showroom), Hakuichi (originator of gold leaf ice cream in 2015), or Sakuda (since 1919). Chopsticks ¥1,500–¥3,000, cosmetics ¥2,000–¥10,000, pure gold-platinum items ¥10,000+.

The "Five Colours of Kutani" (Kutani Gosai), green, yellow, purple, navy blue, red, produce a signature vivid, jewel-toned overglaze enamel style distinct from Imari, Arita, or Kyō-yaki. Ko-Kutani (1655–1700) was discontinued mysteriously after just 45 years; the Saiko-Kutani revival began in 1807 at the Kasuga-yama kiln on Maeda's orders, and production has been continuous ever since.

Daily-use cups and plates ¥1,500–¥10,000. Decorative bowls in classic Gosai patterns ¥3,000–¥30,000. Modern artists like Furukawa Mariko and Aoki Kenji work in pop colours and animal motifs at younger price points. Kanazawa-Craft Hirosaka in Hon-Tamachi is the comprehensive shop. Kanazawa Bikazari Asano in Higashi Chaya curates younger artists.

Hokuriku's most refined kimono-dyeing tradition. Distinguishes itself from Kyoto's Kyō-yuzen by realism: painterly motifs of flowers, birds, and leaves rather than Kyoto's stylised approach. Uses the Kaga Goshiki five colours (indigo blue, ai-ai green, deep crimson, bright yellow, old purple).

Two distinguishing techniques tell you Kaga-yuzen at a glance: mushikui (insect-eaten, small holes painted into leaves to add realism) and soto-bokashi (gradient running outward from a flower's centre toward the edge). Hand-dyed handkerchiefs ¥1,500–¥5,000, scarves ¥3,000–¥30,000, full kimono ¥500,000+. Kaga-Yuzen Kaikan is the central exhibition + retail + workshop venue.

The most popular and accessible hands-on experience. Sakuda's gold leaf application workshop takes 60 minutes: choose your item (chopsticks ¥1,430, small plate ¥2,090, wooden boxes ¥2,310–¥2,640), cut a masking-tape design, apply adhesive, lay the gold leaf, brush off excess, peel the masking. You take it home immediately.

Booking strongly recommended, four daily slots, 30 people max each. Note: Sakuda's prices increase June 1, 2026. Hakuichi runs a similar workshop with slightly different items. For Yuzen dyeing instead, the Kaga-Yuzen Kaikan workshop is ¥1,650+ and 60 min.