Gold Leaf Craft Workshop in Kanazawa: Make Your Own Keepsake

Decorate an object with gold leaf and carry it home as proof you were here.

A gold leaf craft class in Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya District where you choose an item (chopsticks, a plate, a mirror or accessory box), then apply Kanazawa gold leaf under staff guidance and take home the finished piece. The techniques are designed for first-time makers, and the whole experience runs about 45 minutes. Children from age 3 are welcome, and a live English-speaking guide leads the session.

The experience

You arrive at Kanazawa Bikazari Asano, a workshop run by Hakuichi, a maker of Kanazawa gold leaf and traditional craft products. The staff introduces the experience and walks you through choosing your item from what's available that day: chopsticks, small plates, accessory boxes, compact mirrors, or seasonal designs. The selection changes, so what you pick depends on what's in stock when you arrive.

Then you decorate. Using Kanazawa gold leaf, you apply it to your chosen object with step-by-step guidance from the staff. The materials and techniques have been prepared so that even someone who has never done this before can follow along and finish something they're happy with. You're not watching a demonstration. You're the one holding the gold leaf and placing it. The staff stays close to make sure the process stays easy.

At the end, you take home what you made: a real keepsake, not a souvenir bought from a shelf. The workshop sits in the Higashi Chaya District, so you can fit this into a morning or afternoon of exploring the neighborhood's wooden teahouses and narrow streets.

What’s included

• Gold leaf workshop fee covering all materials and guidance.
• your finished handmade keepsake.
• staff instruction in English.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years): free · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by 株式会社箔一

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the instruction without translation lag. Families with children from age 3 can all work at the same table, each decorating their own piece at their own pace.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (3 to 5 years): free. Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

Can I do this workshop if I've never worked with gold leaf before?

Yes. The materials and techniques are designed for first-time participants, and the staff guides you through each step. No prior experience is needed.

What items can I choose to decorate?

Kanazawa Bikazari Asano offers chopsticks, small plates, accessory boxes, and compact mirrors, though availability changes. Seasonal designs may also be available when you visit.

Do I take home what I make?

Yes. You take home the finished piece you decorated yourself as a lasting memory of the experience.

Is the workshop in English?

A live guide speaks English and leads the session, so you can follow the instruction and ask questions throughout.