Learn Japanese Handicrafts in a Traditional Village

Get hands-on with time-honored artistic traditions in a serene forest setting

Yunokuni no Mori is a one-of-a-kind forest village, set in over 100 acres of woods near the hot spring resort of Awazu Onsen. Artistically inclined travelers can learn about more than 50 types of traditional Japanese crafts, many originating from the surrounding areas in Ishikawa Prefecture. Traditional gable-roofed houses unique to the Hokuriku region (Ishikawa, Fukui, Niigata and Toyama prefectures) have been recreated to give the feel of a medieval townscape, so the village will charm visitors from the moment they arrive.

Step through the doors and you'll have the chance to try your hand at crafts including Wajima lacquering, Kutani pottery making, gold leaf crafts, stencil dyeing, traditional Japanese washi paper making, and more. If you'd rather just appreciate the craftsmanship of an artisan, you can watch masters of pottery and glass in action, or admire the many masterworks on display at the village's exhibits.

If you've worked up a thirst or appetite, take a breather at one of a number of restaurants and enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or a traditional Japanese meal prepared from locally sourced Kaga ingredients while admiring the primeval woods around you. Just 60 minutes by car from Kanazawa, this artistic forest getaway is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train to Kanazawa Station (about 2 hours and 50 minutes); transfer to the Shirasagi Express for Komatsu Station (about 16 minutes); take the Komatsu Bus to the Kamiaraya bus stop, then walk for about 2 minutes.

Traditional Handicrafts Village Yunokuni no Mori