Kansai to Kanazawa: Craft and Culture Tour (6 days/5 nights)

Who is this for?
For adventurous travelers who want to delve into Japanese culture through the lens of great craftsmanship from Osaka to Kanazawa. Experience century-old traditions firsthand while crafting your own unique souvenirs to cherish. Find authentic experiences and treasures through off the beaten path destinations. 

- This is a private tour. Only you and your group will participate. 
- This trip can be tailored according to your preferences. Please feel free to inquire about any specific requests ahead of time.

Physical Activity: Low
Length of Trip:  6 days, 5 nights
Capacity:  1-6 people 

Visualize yourself:
- Staying an newly renovated 90-year-old townhouse by the work of old craftsmen
- Exploring the lively and colorful stalls of street food areas 
- Slurping Uji Maccha Soba and making your own maccha tea 
- Crafting a tatami coaster in a historic tatami shop, handed down through generations
- See vibrant and detailed festival floats up close 
- Touring a 24th generation metalwork factory and crafting trinkets to take home
- Eating locally sourced Japanese cuisine next to a charming Japanese garden 

Itinerary:

OSAKA    |    2 nights
Day 1: Travel Day
Arrive in Kansai International Airport. Then into a private vehicle for a transfer to a hotel recommended by us in the city. Use this day to rest up or take some time to explore Osaka.

Day 2: Temples, Sample Food Making, and Markets
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A balanced day of nature and city sights. Start the day by exploring an often overlooked but worth visiting because of its views, a temple full of daruma dolls. Then make your way to explore the vibrant Osaka city.

KYOTO   |     1 night
Day 3: The Birthplace of Matcha Tea
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch,  Dinner
Discover Uji, a tranquil riverside town akin to Arashiyama but quiter, away from the crowds. Renowned for its matcha, your day begins at Byodoin, featured on the ten yen coin. Enjoy a riverside stroll and wander through traditional streets. Lunch features matcha soba, a classic Japanese dish blending buckwheat flour with matcha tea. Learn the art of making matcha firsthand, too. Explore specialty shops for traditional handicrafts and conclude with a traditional Kyoto dinner, immersing yourself in the city's nighttime ambiance.

ISHIKAWA  |     1 night
Day 4: Komatsu: Kabuki, Tatami, Festivals and more! 
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner
Discover Hokkoku Toorimachi in Komatsu, Ishikawa, a historic town along an ancient trade route. Dating back over 650 years, its shop houses stand as testament to its prosperous past. Meet local families continuing a legacy of businesses, offering personal tours of their cherished area with a day of local crafts and traditions. End the day by staying in a 90-year-old renovated townhouse blending modern amenities with traditional Japanese architecture.

OSAKA |     1 night
Day 5: A Day in Kanazawa, Metalwork and Famed Garden
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner
Tour a historic metal factory with roots dating back to 1714. Hear the family's journey blending tradition with sustainability to meet modern needs. Design a personalized keepsake like a chopsticks holder or dessert knife to take home. Explore Kenroku-en, a stunning Japanese garden then enjoy lunch at a garden restaurant with traditional architecture before boarding the bullet train back to Osaka.

Day 6: Fly Home
Included meals: Breakfast
Your next destination? Home sweet home. But remember, it's not sayonara yet, it's "See you soon!" The question is, where to from here?

OR EXTEND YOUR TRIP!

Add another trip of ours on top of this journey and we will be happy to send you off. 

Metalwork photos courtesy of Kanamori Alloy Co.,Ltd.
Lion Dance and Kabuki photos courtesy of Hokkoku Toorimachi.