Artisan Craft Tour

Meet the keepers of Japan’s remarkable craft heritage. In Shimane Prefecture, where the traditions of the past remain an integral part of everyday life, skilled men and women continue to produce impressive works of handicraft, from rustic ceramics to hand-dyed textiles. Enter workshops where families have perfected their art over generations, and learn how they continue to adapt their craft for an ever-changing world.

4 days / 3 nights

From $4,100 per person

After arrival, visit the region’s most prominent cultural site, Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. Understanding this sprawling Shinto shrine and its influence on the surrounding culture will provide crucial context for the experiences to come.

Spend the day with two local, family-run craft businesses - an indigo dye atelier where a father and son duo turn humble textiles into deeply hued masterpieces, and an ironcraft forge where the master’s daughter has taken up her father’s hammer to continue the family’s artistic tradition.

Deep in Shimane’s hilly landscape, visit a local potter’s home and kiln to see his works before creating a piece of your own. Then tour the picturesque village of Ōmori before retiring to your comfortable accommodation.

Enter the workshop of a ‘kagura’ mask maker to see firsthand the time and skill required to create one of these expressive masks. After painting a mask of your own to take home, return to Izumo for departure to your next destination.

Logistics

Pricing from $4,100 / person

• The price shown above is calculated based on the two people traveling.

• The price includes select meals, all activities, guides, accommodation, and transfers.

• Our Shimane tours are customizable, so all itineraries and price quotes are uniquely tailored to our guests.

• The only exact price will be the one you receive in your personalized quotation.