About this tour
When Jake from our team did this kintsugi workshop, we watched Master Taku—who picked up a Japanese government medal in 2024 for his craft—guide us through repairing broken ceramic. You get your own plate to work with and take home, learning how to fill cracks with lacquer and gold powder over two hours. It's held in Japan and pulls people genuinely interested in the philosophy behind mending; the whole vibe is quiet, respectful, and hands-on rather than touristy.
Highlights
- Master Taku's 2024 Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon credentials lend real weight
- Lacquer sourced from poison oak tree — traditional natural adhesive, safe when dried
- Your repaired plate goes home as a keepsake, not a demo piece
- Cracks treated as history, not flaws — philosophy changes how you see damage
- All equipment, tools, and taxes bundled in; no hidden add-ons
- Wheelchair accessible throughout, prams welcome, no fitness barriers
- Hands-on two-hour session with personal attention from a recognised artisan
What to expect
Jake arrived for a calm, focused lesson where the philosophy hits you first: kintsugi isn't about hiding breaks—it's about honouring them as part of an object's story. Master Taku walked through the lacquer application methodically, showing how the natural adhesive (derived from poison oak or black tree of the poison ivy family) hardens safely once cured. You'll work on your own ceramic plate, filling intentional cracks with lacquer, then adding gold or silver powder by hand. The pacing is deliberate; there's no rushing. The space itself encourages concentration—no high-energy group dynamics, just you, the plate, and the craft.
The two hours move smoothly from demo to practice. Master Taku corrects gently and remains present. Public transport is nearby, so getting there without a car is straightforward, though you'll need to sort your own way from your accommodation.
What travellers say
- Master Taku's award-winning credentials ensure serious, skilled instruction
- Transparent all-in pricing with no hidden fees or charges
- Genuinely accessible—wheelchair, prams, all fitness levels welcome
- Philosophy-first approach changes how you think about damage
- Your finished plate is genuinely yours to take home
- Natural, non-toxic lacquer from traditional Japanese sources
- Two-hour window may feel rushed for perfectionists or slower learners
- No hotel transport—you're arranging your own way there
- Meditative pace won't suit those wanting high-energy group dynamics
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you care about craft heritage and aren't after a quick tourist tick, this lands differently. Master Taku's credentials are legitimate, and his philosophy on repair-as-care resonates beyond ceramics. You leave with something functional you made yourself. All costs are transparent—equipment, taxes, the lot—so no surprise charges. The space is genuinely accessible: wheelchair users, parents with prams, and people of any fitness level can participate comfortably.
Two hours is tight if you're a perfectionist; your plate will be workable but not museum-finish. No hotel pickup, so you're organising transport yourself. Food and drinks aren't included, so factor in a coffee before or after. It's a quiet, meditative session—if you thrive on banter and group energy, you might find it slower than expected. Peak times may fill up given the small-group nature.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.