Monday 26 September 2016

Kyoto Artisans Concierge Opens the Door to a World of Traditional Arts and Crafts in Kyoto

Kyoto Artisans Concierge is an online service providing visitors with the unique opportunity to make private visits to studios in Kyoto for hands-on experience of local traditional crafts. It is a bridge connecting people in search of genuine experiences with artisans.

Initiated by the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts “Fureikan”, a centre which promotes and facilitates better understanding of 74 categories of Kyoto traditional industries with the cooperation of all the associations of local crafts, the concierge website (www.kyotoartisans.jp/en/) offers visits to 20 different ateliers.

Being the cultural heart of Japan with more than 1,000 years of history as the imperial capital, Kyoto carries on inherited arts and crafts while constantly introducing new ones. Even today Kyotoites 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 a city of exquisite craftsmanship and many tourists wish to visit the places where the finest pieces of art are born, to observe the skill of artisans in the creative atmosphere of their studios, to have a hands-on experience and to purchase traditional craft items.

Kyoto Artisans Concierge provides visitors with a high quality service, introducing them to real artists and crafts people with many generations of traditional craftsmanship heritage, it is also focused on revitalizing Kyoto traditional industries affected by the unfortunate decline in demand of recent years.

The English language website is easy to use, ateliers can be searched by field, purpose and by area. There is a wide range of disciplines, for example lacquerware, ceramics, bamboo craft, lantern making and many more. Some of the visits include a hands on activity so you can roll up your sleeves and experience traditional techniques first hand. Prices range from around $10 to $180 depending of the length of the visit and the inclusions. Simply submit your request for a visit online and Kyoto Artisans Concierge will arrange your visit. Some even accept same day appointments. You can also request the arrangement through hotel concierge, or tour operator.

www.kyoto.travel

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