The Tradition of Aizu lacquerware in Fukushima Prefecture has continued for 400 years. Try out creating a design on Aizu Lacquerware with a technique called Chinkin ("Sunken-gold") at Tsunoda Lacquer Art Studio. Sketch your design on tracing paper, and then mark it onto the lacqerware with a needle. Tsunoda san will help you fill the grooves created by your needle with gold and silver powder to create your design. Alternatively, try painting your own design on Aizu lacquerware at the studio. Either experience will create a great souvenir of your trip in Japan. These experiences take about an hour.
| Website | https://www.tsunoda-shitsugei.com/%E4%BD%93%E9%A8%93/(Japanese) |
|---|---|
| Contact | Tsunoda san You can book your own sunken-gold painting experience or lacquer painting experience by emailing Tsunoda san at urushi.tsunoda@gmail.com |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Irregular days off. Please book in advance to make sure the studio is open on the day of your visit. |
| Entrance Fee | Prices start at 1,000 yen, and depend on the item to be designed. |
| Access | 1096-217 Soharayama, aza hibara, Kitashiobara Yama-gun Fukushima pref. View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By Train: Take a Bandai Toto Bus heading for Urabandai Kyukamura (裏磐梯休暇村) from JR Inawashiro Station. Get off at Sohara Iriguchi bus stop (曽原湖バス停). From the bus stop, the studio is 13 minutes on foot. |
Thought to have had its sloped 'designed for Fukushima locals', Inawashiro Snow Paradise offers 17 courses across 2 expansive areas, each tailored around a different skiing style. Its convenient access is also a major draw for tourists.
A wakeboard shop located on the northwest shore of Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture. It offers easy access from the Kanto region, bypassing major traffic congestion. Individuals and beginners are welcome. A specialized beginner's course is available, allowing even first-timers to enjoy their time on the water, and all necessary equipment can be rented. Bookings can be made even for 1 person. Why not spend a day enjoying the beautiful, clear waters of Lake Inawashiro, one of the most breathtaking lakes in Japan?
The World Glassware Hall is located at the foot of Mt. Bandai, by the side of Lake Inawashiro. About 25,000 handmade glassware items, imported directly from countries all over the world, are exhibited and sold at the World Glassware Hall the museum. You can even try your hand at glass etching, or glass blowing. Next to the Glassware Hall is a local beer brewery and a sweets shop. Local Inawashiro beer has received the gold prize in an international beer competition, and can be purchased on site. In the sweets shop, you can try a line up of famous local delicacies.
Looking for a fun place to enjoy the snow with the whole family? Ashinomaki Snow Park is a great place to enjoy the fluffy Fukushima snow. The snow park is set in a picturesque field that is bordered by a lovely forest and river. Activities such as snowmobile driving, banana boat riding, tubing, snowball fights are all possible here! You can even hang out in Japanese igloos or “kamakura” and roast mochi over a fire. Riding in banana boats and being pulled in snow boats are especially popular activities at the snow park. The snow park is also a popular destination for snowy photoshoots! If you want to visit on a weekday, reservations must be made by 5:00 p.m. the day before. For weekend visitors no reservation is required. Dates of operation are dependent on snow fall, for the 2022 season the dates of operation at January 20 – February 28.
Aizu Erosoku (painted candles) are sumptuous items that were long-prized among samurai families. Delicate and vivid patterns such as chrysanthemums, plum blossoms, and peonies are painted onto candles made of natural Japan wax extracted from the fruits of lacquer trees. Each candle is still painstakingly painted one by one, and they serve as regal decorations in Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies and weddings. A candle painting experience is available at Ozawa Candle Shop (Reservation required).
Suzuzen was established in 1833 as a lacquerware wholesale shop. Not only can visitors see process of lacquerware being finished using gold and silver dusted designs called 'Makie', but visitors can also have the opportunity to design their own lacquered product using Makie design techniques, which is perfect to take home as a souvenir. Suzuzen is made up of 6 kura (Japanese-style warehouses), which have been renovated. The Suzuzen warehouses include a gallery featuring pieces by contemporary artists who use lacquer in their work, and a cafe which is open for lunch. English-language signs also make the history of lacquer in Aizu accessible for overseas visitors.
Aizu Urushi Lacquerware has a very long history – predating lacquerware from Wajima or Tsushima. Aizu Lacquerware was originally produced in areas of Aizu that experience very heavy annual snowfall. The industry began to boom about 400 years ago - this development was initiated by feudal lord Gamo Ujisato’s endorsement of Aizu Lacquerware. From then onwards, techniques used in the production of Aizu Lacquerware were refined and Aizu Lacquerware became very famous in Japan. You can make your paint your own design onto Aizu Lacquerware items, or even try painting with lacquer, in Aizu region. Makie Painting Experience Workshops Suzuzen (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) From 1,900 yen Page on Fukushima.Travel Website Suzutake (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) From 1,000 yen Must book in advance Page on Fukushima.Travel Website (Japanese) Bansho (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) From 1,200 yen Irregular opening hours in winter Website (Japanese) Fukubun (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) From 1,600 yen Irregular opening hours Must book in advance Website (Japanese) Shitsugei Tsunoda (Urabandai Area) From 1,000 yen They also have an experience where you can paint with real lacquer (From 10,000 yen) Must book in advance Website (Japanese)
A little-known treasure, Aizu Hongo pottery (known in Japanese as 'hongo-yaki') is the oldest type of pottery in the Tohoku region. Aizu Hongo pottery's history dates back to the Warring States Period (1467 – 1615), when Ujisato Gamo, leader of the Aizu clan, ordered renovations be made to Tsurugajo Castle. The production of ceramic tiles for the castle roof kick-started the tradition of making pottery in Aizu-Misato Town. During the early 1600s, Masayuki Hoshina (who founded the Matsudaira house) invited ceramic craftsmen to Aizu-Misato from Owari - a region famous for its pottery - in order to increase the skills of locals. It was from this time that Aizu Hongo-yaki production began in earnest. At the peak of its popularity, there were more than 100 potteries in the town. There are currently 13 left, which are centered around Setomachi in Aizu-Misato. The rich variety of wares produced from workshop to workshop is just one of the fascinating things about visiting the area. Aizu-Misato Town is also known for the area's unusual ability to produce both great-quality earthenware and delicate porcelain. Please enjoy taking a look around the various shops, workshops, and kilns, and try making pottery for yourself!