Kyoto Artisans Concierge

About Kyoto Artisans Concierge

Kyoto has long flourished as the capital of Japan and its cultural center, carrying on inherited arts and crafts while constantly introducing new ones. Even today Kyoto people support and maintain the traditional Japanese culture gems such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement or Noh theatre adapting them to the modern lifestyle. Kyoto is also a city of exquisite craftsmanship, and many people wish to visit the places where the finest pieces of art are born, to observe the demonstrations of craft skills of artisans in the creative atmosphere of their studios, to have a hand-on experience and to purchase traditional craft items. Therefore, Kyoto Artisans Concierge was created as a bridge that connects people in search of such genuine experiences with artisans. We invite you to discover the hidden treasures of Kyoto for a valuable and unique travel experience.

The role of Kyoto Artisans Concierge

Reservation And Payment

On the page of activity of your choice, submit your email address.
After confirmation of your email address, we will send you the URL of reservation page.
Go to the reservation page, enter required information (date and time of your visit, number of participants, etc.) and click “submit your reservation” button to make a reservation request.
As soon as we check ateliers’ availability, we will contact you.
If the reservation is possible, we will send you the link for credit card payment.
Once your payment is confirmed, we will send you your voucher with the atelier’s address.

* Accepted credit cards: VISA, Mastercard & American Express.

CancellationPolicy

In the case of no-show: 100% of the total amount
If the cancellation is made after 5pm (Japan time) two business days* prior to the date you visit: 100% of the total amount
If the cancellation is made before 5pm (Japan time) two business days* prior to the date you visit: no cancellation fee

* Business day excludes Saturday, Sunday and Japanese national holidays.

Manners

Please take your shoes off at the entrance and before stepping on a tatami mat.

Let’s be polite in artisan’s presence and remove hats and sunglasses in atelier.

There is no tipping custom in Japan. If you want to thank artisan or his family, just say “okini!” (“thank you” in the Kyoto dialect).

Ask the artisan’s permission before taking photos or touching his works and tools.

Please remove your finger rings prior to handling craft items in order not to damage them. Especially be careful with ceramics.

Ask the artisan’s permission before drinking from plastic bottles brought from outside.

In case you’re coming by car or bicycle, please don’t leave your vehicle on the road. Ask artisan about the nearest parking lots.

Don’t be late and respect your appointment time.

Please be polite and refrain from speaking in a loud voice or shouting in the atelier and its neighbourhood.

Reviews

Here are some comments we have received from our guests.

ORISHO HIRAI

Entry level：A visit to a traditional textile gold brocade factory

★★★★★
B. C. Attended as couple

Magical Experience

Our visit to the Atelier of Orishao Hirai was the most memorable experience, and was one of our most favourite...

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Bamboo Craft Workshop KISETSU

Advanced level : Experience of making woven bamboo coasters .

★★★★★
C. C. Attended as friends

Workshop visit

As part of my Surviving Hands project, I visited a couple of artisans in Kyoto. Kyoto Artisans Concierge helpe...

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SOUSHI TSUZURE-EN TEXTILE STUDIO

Atelier visit & loom weaving experience

★★★★★
F. Attended as solo traveler

Wonderful resourxe

What a great resource to connect travelers w local artisans!

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Management

As an affiliated organization of Kyoto City, our Foundation manages Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, which systematizes, promotes and facilitates better understanding of the features of 74 categories of Kyoto traditional industries with the cooperation of all the associations of local crafts.
This time, the Foundation is taking advantage of its exceptional network of craftsmen to give Kyoto visitors from Japan and abroad a rare opportunity to visit private studios for hands-on experience of local traditional crafts. Via Kyoto Artisans Concierge we not only provide Kyoto guests with high quality services, we also wish to revitalize Kyoto traditional industries affected by the unfortunate decline in demand.

Address:9-1, Okazaki Seishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, 606-8343
Miyakomesse

TEL：+81-75-762-2670
FAX：+81-75-751-1692
Mail：info@kyotoartisans.jp
Web：https://kyotoartisans.jp