Makie Painting Lacquerware Experience at Suzuzen

Makie Painting Lacquerware Experience at Suzuzen

Suzuzen was established in 1832 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. Booking & More Information

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.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://suzuzen.com/facility/taiken/(Japanese)
Contact

Suzuzen

(+81) 242-22-0680

Best SeasonAll Year
Opening Hours

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (4:00 PM for Makie experience)

Closed: New Year's Day

ParkingFree parking available (Space for 25 cars and 4 large buses)
Entrance FeeFrom 1,900 yen per person for Makie experience.
Related infoAllow at least 1 hour for the Makie experience. Reservations can be made in advance through this link: https://book.fukushima.travel/products/9c69dd94-c5bf-5165-ab6b-23d8db42991c?lng=en-US

The Makie experience is available for groups of 2 or more people.

On-site cafe is closed on Tuesdays.
Access Details
AccessChuo 1-3-28, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Pref. 965-0037
View directions
Getting there
  • 15 min on foot from Nanukamachi Station (JR Tadami Line)
  • 10 min walk from Aizuwakamatsu Station (JR Ban-etsu West Line, JR Tadami Line)
  • 25 min on foot from Tsurugajo Castle.

Useful Links

Booking

Aizu Urushi Lacquerware

Try Your Hand at Designing Local Crafts

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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.
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