Suzutake workshop tours began in the 1950s as a way of providing families with a chance to learn about the history and artistry of lacquerware. Even today, visitors are able to actually see artisans at work at three key stages of the Aizu lacquerware making process: 1) applying a base layer of unrefined lacquer or astringent liquid to wood; 2) adding additional layers of lacquer in a desired style, and 3) adding hand-drawn delicate designs ('makie') using either colored lacquer or gold and silver power (a technique called 'Sunken gold makie'). Visitors can also take part in a makie-painting experience.
| Website | http://suzutake.net (Japanese) |
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| Contact |
Suzutake (+81) 242 27 4818 aizu@suzutake.net |
| Best Season | All Year |
| Opening Hours |
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Irregular holidays |
| Parking | Available (Spaces for large vehicles also available) |
| Entrance Fee | Free to look around the workshop. (There is a fee for the makie painting experience) |
| Related info | Makie painting experience Experience must be booked in advance. Experience is run between 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Makie painting takes around 40 min. |
| Access | Aizu Shikki Kogyo Danchi-nai 1973-4, Ichinoseki, Monden-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Pref. 965-0844 View directions |
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| Getting there | By Car: 15 min drive from the Aizu-Wakamatsu I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway By Train: 10 min walk from Minami-Wakamatsu Sta. (JR Tadami Line), or a 20 min taxi ride from Aizu-Wakamatsu Sta. |
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