Artisanal experience to work with true craftsmen accompanied by the sounds of chisels and the flowing river.
Kaminyu Village, Maibara. Here, you can hear tonton,kankan, Japanese onomatopoeia to describe the sounds of hammers knocking on wood or metal echoing through the village.
This is where traditional craftsmen specializing in woodcarving, lacquering, metal ornaments, etc., have lived and worked together making Buddhist Butsudan altars for over 200 years.
A number of craftsmen are still working here in riverside studios to preserve their valuable traditions.
Get an intimate feel for the life of a local craftsman as you take part in their daily lives through the workshop.
Wooden Hanger Carving
You will make your own hanger using professional chisels.
The relatively large carving area makes this piece fun to work on.
You can choose your favorite design from provided templates or simply draw your own original design.
- Duration:2 hours
- Fee:5000yen
- Age:6 years and up (Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Max participants:15
- Min participants:2
Wooden Spoon Carving
You will make a wooden spoon that will also be practical for home use.
Working with chisels on 3D planes is more of a challenge but we guarantee it will be fun!
- Duration:2 hours
- Fee:4500yen
- Age:6 years and up (Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Max participants:15
- Min participants:2
Wooden Coaster
Draw your favorite objects or pattern on either a circular or square wood plate,
and then carve along the lines to realize your creation!
- Duration:2 hours
- Fee:4000yen
- Age:6 years and up (Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Max participants:15
- Min participants:2
Wooden Trivet Mat Carving
Our most popular workshop! You will make your own hot pot trivet mat for daily use. Larger surface area for relatively easier carving.
- Duration:2 hours
- Fee:4500yen
- Age:6 years and up (Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Max participants:15
- Min participants:2
Wooden Accessory Carving
Make your own wooden accesories. Choose from various motifs such as flowers, owls, and more. Add a fastener to the finished piece to turn it into a brooch or strap.
- Duration:2 hours
- Fee:3000yen
- Age:6 years and up (Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Max participants:15
- Min participants:2
Wooden Car Decoration
Choose a wooden block piece in one of three different vehicle shapes: car, bus, or truck. Smooth the surface with sand paper, attach wheels and done! Enjoy also coloring or decorating with stickers.
- Duration:1 hours
- Fee:1800yen
- Age:3 years and up (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Max participants:15
- Min participants:1
Wood Block Decoration
Choose wood block pieces already cut into animal shapes such as giraffes,
elephants, etc., and decorate them with stickers and felt hats.
No chisels or knives are used in this workshop so it's perfect for small children.
- Duration:2 hours
- Fee:1800yen
- Age:3 years and up (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Max participants:15
- Min participants:1
Learn directly
from true craftsmen!
Work with professional
carving tools!
Wear traditional working clothes
for a truly immersive experience!
Bring your work home
as memorable souvenir!
Get a peek inside the
craftsmen's own studio!
Learn directly
from true craftsmen!
Work with professional
carving tools!
Wear traditional working clothes
for a truly immersive experience!
Bring your work home
as memorable souvenir!
Get a peek inside the
craftsmen's own studio!
To book a workshop, please fill out the form below to submit a request.
RESERVATION FORM- *Workshop is instructed in Japanese. Interpreter is not available.
- *English written instructions are available for your reference.
- * Please note that a booking is not finalized until you receive the confirmation,
which we will send after 2 to 3 days. - * A booking should be made ealier than 10 days in advance.
- * A booking should be made ealier than 10 days in advance.
- * Closed during New Year's holidays.
Please note that during this period, confirmations and correspondence may also be delayed.
We are Kaminyu Woodpeckers”, a group of craftspeople who endeavor to preserve our skills and traditions.
Please feel free to ask us any questions during your stay.
Kazushige Ijiri3rd Generation of Ijiri Chokokusho (woodcarving)
At our studio, we carve realistic and dynamic three-dimensional pieces. While utilizing the traditional skills that I received from my family, I hope to have the chance to meet as many people as possible, and share our stories. Woodcarving is not necessarily a difficult craft. Anyone can try at their own pace. Let's make an one-of-a-kind piece together! I hope you will enjoy woodcarving with us while taking in the beautiful nature of our village.
Yukio Nakamura2nd Generation of Nakamura Chokinsho (metal carving)
My expertise is carving metal in very fine patterns with the openwork method. The majority of my work involves making parts for Buddhist Butsudan altars, which people will keep and cherish for many years as an object of their religious devotion, so I make sure to pay attention to every little detail.I am very much looking forward to seeing you here in the village!
Seiichiro Mori3rd Generation of Mori Chokokusho (wood carving)
In my craft, I always try to be loyal to the subject of my work. My goal is to provide ultimate satisfaction to those who order pieces from us. Please come to our village and feel the spirit of our craft while using our tools. Beyond the workshop, please also make sure to experience the abundant nature of the village, enjoying our mountains and rivers.
Masayuki Yoshida3rd Generation of Yoshida Chokokusho (wood carving)
I try focusing on every piece to achieve my utmost performance as much as possible.Making pieces that satisfy clients is my first priority, but I also hope my sincerity to the work also shines through in the finished pieces. I hope you will enjoy our workshop and learn the great aspects of woodcarving.
Ichiro Yamamoto3rd Generation of Hamadan-no-Yamamoto (Urushi lacquering)
I work carefully and precisely using domestically-sourced lacquer and no chemical paints. Base-coating is particularly important since it can make a big difference when re-lacquering 10 or more years later. Please come and see the significance of handmade work which is lacking in mass-produced objects.
Udagawa MichikoIshikyu Butsudan (Buddhist Butsudan Altar Building)
My grandfather started his career as a woodcarver in this village, and my 94-year old father, is still an active woodcarver. We make Buddhist altars using traditional techniques of lacquering. Our goal is to make pieces which people will cherish for a long time. Our recent ventures include making wood blocks for children using leftover pieces from high quality wood. We hope people will enjoy our products. Please come and visit us!
Kaminyu Woodcarving Village is located about 10 km east of JR Maibara Station, the one bullet train stop for our region.
The village lies within a mountain valley. Due to the limited land for farming, the area's main traditional industry became specialized in woodworking, and in particular, working on temple and shrine buildings and festival floats over the past200 years. As time went on, Western cultural influence helped introduce changes to work and life. While the traditional handcrafting industry has become very rare, this community of craftsmen continues even today, honing skills to preserve the profound spirit and aesthetic of Japanese craftsmanship through carvings of classical motifs of nature, such asbirds and flowers, clouds and water, as well as figures of traditional mythology.
The village also offers beautiful scenery for visitors to enjoy as you walk through our community of traditional craftsmen’s home studios that line the river bank of the clear stream water from Mt. Ryozensan, and over 20 residential bridges for crossing the river.
By Train :5 mintaxi ride from JR Samegai Sta.
By Car : 10 min from the Meishin Expressway Maibara Interchange
*Parking is available at the lot in front of Iborori Shrine
Attn: Ishikyu Butsudan
Phone : (81) 749 54 2567
Email : isikyubutudan@gmail.com
A local tour operator, Biwako Backroads, offers a one-day guided hiking tour including our woodworking workshop as well as locally-sourced lunch. Please see their website for more details.
