Plan your Japan Travel in October 19-27 2025
Japan Urushi Forestry Experience +
Kintsugi Workshop 2025
A unique & EXCLUSIVE Japan travel experience. Meet lacquer growers and artisans.
Hands-on workshop on lacquer craft and authentic traditional kintsugi.
2025 JAPAN KINTSUGI WORKSHOP DATES: October 19 - 27, 2025
Why Join This Exclusive Kintsugi and Urushi Experience in Japan?
Exclusive once-a-year access to a living urushi forest and the rare opportunity to meet urushi foresters preserving this endangered tradition.
Authentic kintsugi workshop using natural materials using all-natural material.
Demystify urushi lacquer - understand the material, the process, and why it matters.
Support sustainable travel and rural revitalization - Contribute to the preservation of endangered crafts and help reduce overtourism in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Experience the true beauty and value of Japanese lacquer and kintsugi at its source.
You
You are:
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Curious about Japanese urushi lacquer and lacquer craft
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Culture-curious, slow-traveler
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Support social-responsible travel and rural Japan revitalization
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Seasoned traveler: seeking genuine immersive experience, beyond touristy destinations
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Authenticity seekers: discontent with faux-kintsugi, mis-information on kintsugi
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Craft advocates: Explorer, New-comer, Self-taught, Beginners...etc. are all welcome
You will find this a travel experience of a life-time, exploring a hidden gem in rural Japan and supporting one of the most reputable traditional craft of Japan. After this cultural immersion, become our ambassador and tell the world about Daigo urushi and why Japanese lacquer craft is so precious.
Traditional Kintsugi Workshop
We are not offering wellness training or life coaching. This is craft-focus kintsugi workshop.
The workshop will introduce traditional kintsugi materials and tools, the art of pottery repair with lacquer and gold. We've designed the course to provide hands-on exercises, allowing you to learn techniques and practice extensively. By the end of the workshop, you'll have a solid foundation in traditional kintsugi tools and techniques and ready to practice on your own. Many participants find an epiphany after understanding the preciousness of material, and the diligence and patience required to practice this slow craft. They left our workshop with completely new insight about urushi lacquer and kintsugi, including many who have completed kintsugi courses elsewhere.
MAKI-E PAINTING & FUKI-URUSHI EXPERIENCE
It is important to understand that Maki-e painting is the foundation of kintsugi craft, and Fuki-urushi sets the fundamental understanding of urushi as a repair and finishing material. Our workshop have set projects for you to experience both traditional crafts
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Our goal is to offer the most comprehensive and informative traditional kintsugi workshop available in native English, while providing hands-on experience with authentic, all-natural materials in Japan. No more lost-in-translation explanations, second-hand misinformation, or faux kintsugi practices.
Date
October 19th - 27th, 2025
Location
Ibaraki Prefecture is North of Tokyo, 2.5 hours by car and under 3 hours by train from Tokyo Station. Daigo is a hidden gem, lesser traveled by tourists and surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. It has the second largest urushi forestry industry in Japan, producing premium quality urushi lacquer to artisans nationwide.
Price
US$3675.00
Inclusive of 8 nights lodging, all meals, all local transportation during the course, and daily activities/workshops: exclusive access to urushi lacquer forest and meet the urushi foresters, intensive kintsugi craft workshop, lacquer artisan studio visit, lacquering workshop and a day-trip to a historic pottery town.
Only 6 seats available.
The cost of the travel workshop does not include transportation to-and-from the group designated meeting spot (Ibaraki Prefecture).
10% Japan consumption tax included.
Reservation & Policy
Limit to 6 seats only. The group size is set small for best workshop experience.
However, we may consider adding an additional session pending on number of inquiries received. If all seats are filled, put in your wait-list request so we know the demand. You will be notified if any spot becomes available, and if enough people signed up on waitlist, we may consider create a second group.
Full payment is required during reservation.
We understand sometimes travel plans may change, so please check our cancellation refund policy and note the dates listed for full or partial refund.
Read TERMS & CONDITIONS
RESERVATION Opens for
October 2025 Program.
Program date: October 19th -27th
(limit 6 spots)
Over-tourism in Japan
"(Mount Fuji) It’s like Disneyland here as there are too many people..."
Park Ranger commented on Mt. Fuji's over-tourism situation with CNN
"Kyoto is not a theme park."
Kyoto local council banned street entries and started fining for trespassing in geisha district of Kyoto starting March 2024.
2025 Itinerary
DAY 1
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Participant to arrive at designated meeting point. (in Ibaraki Prefecture)
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Check-in, settle-in
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Afternoon Meet-and-Greet and introduction session
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Welcome Dinner party
DAY 2
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EXCLUSIVE visit to urushi forest, meet with professional urushi foresters and cultivators and learn about urushi forestry, and Japan-grown lacquer.
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Exclusive urushi-tapping experience (extraction of tree sap) *
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Rest of day: Kintsugi workshop & lacquer craft assignment
DAY 3
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Kintsugi studio day (full-day)
DAY 4
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Kintsugi studio day (full-day)
DAY 5
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OUTING: enjoy a day visiting a historic pottery kiln
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Japanese ceramics workshop (hand-build or pottery wheel)
DAY 6
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Kintsugi studio day (full day)
DAY 7
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Lacquerware studio tour & hands-on lacquering workshop
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Option: Free time to explore the town or self-directed Kintsugi studio practice time.
DAY 8
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Kintsugi studio
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Special craft presentation
DAY 9
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Breakfast (final huddle). Check-out (am), departure.
Itinerary is subject to change if activities are affected by weather or any unforeseen circumstances.
Reservation opens now.
Program date: October 19-27, 2025
(limit 6 spots)
What you will gain from this cultural travel experience
01
Exclusive Access to Experience Urushi Forestry
Access to the source and learn about the most important raw material for Japanese craft. Meet and talk to lacquer foresters who maintains the forest of about a thousand urushi trees. See how a handful of expert cultivators sustain as the second largest producer of premium, Japan-grown lacquer.
03
Lacquering Experience
Meet a local lacquer artisan. Visit the studio and see the tools and equipment of a professional lacquer artisan. Experience using urushi lacquer as a coating material on wood. Work on a small lacquering project on abandoned urushi tree-trunk (from the cut-down tree), and bring home a one-of-a-kind souvenir (handcrafted by YOU) that you will remember and keep for life!
02
Comprehensive, Authentic Kintsugi Pottery Repair Workshop
The most comprehensive English information about material, tools and techniques on authentic traditional kintsugi craft. Build good, solid foundation to get yourself ready to practice the craft. No more lost in translation or misinformation.
04
Maki-e Art Painting Experience
Experience Maki-e art painting—the foundation of Kintsugi craft—and gain insight into the mastery of using traditional Maki-e brushes, urushi lacquer, and gold decoration.
Starts Oct 19
3,675 US dollarsLoading availability...
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FAQ
What kintsugi supplies are included in the package (for use in class and to bring home)?
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matte gold powder
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matte silver powder
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4 types of urushi lacquer (including premium Daigo urushi)
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All repair base powder
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Handmade wood spatulas
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Sanding & Polishing tools, whetstone set,
charcoal and more -
Paper palette pad
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Beginner's traditional cat-hair maki-e paint brush & cleaning wand
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Lacquer and wood practice plaques
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Small ceramic items for repair exercise
Total value over $390.00
There will be sufficient additional material for class use, in addition to the above bring-home kit. Additional kintsugi supplies will be available for sale on site for those who are interested (to save shipping cost from ordering online).
Food and Special Diet
All food cost is covered (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/coffee & tea). If you require special diet or have food allergy, please notify us during reservation and we will do our best to accommodate. Japanese cuisine are in general high-quality and healthy, but most places have little experience with vegetarian, vegan or special diet. We will do our best to accommodate your dietary needs if you give us advance notice. But we cannot guarantee on availability for all meals during the program.
Alcohol beverage is not included, and will be your out-of-pocket expense.
What do I need to bring?
We recommend you bring your own sleeve covers or simple long-sleeve work clothes or apron. Once urushi gets on fabric, it is not removable. Sleeves will also protect you from direct skin-contact with raw lacquer. We will have extra gloves, sleeves and apron on site for those who forgot theirs.
If you need special sizes for aprons and latex gloves, it is recommended you bring your own. Japanese sizes run small for Westerners.
Bring your own pens and notebooks as well!!
Why is the enrollment so limited?
We want to keep the group small to maintain quality discussion time and workshop experience. However, we can possibly increase headcount for 1 or 2 extra person based on assessment.
Do you offer discount if I want to attend together with a family member or a friend?
Yes! If 2 person sign up together, you are eligible for a discount of $250 off the total cost for 2 person's program fee. And of course you will be assigned to occupy the same bedroom.
Email us in advance so we can provide you with a discount code and sign up instruction.
Shall I be concerned about allergic reaction to urushi lacquer?
Yes. That's why we give instructions on wearing gloves, clothings and gear. Report immediately if skin contact occurred so we can provide oil and alcohol for immediate cleansing.
Not all people will show allergic rash, if it occurs, remedies are only for temporary relief and you may have to endure the rash for 1-2 weeks.
Room occupancy (single? double?) Update 2025
Accommodation for the first 7 nights will be single occupancy in private rooms with both western beds and Japanese-style futon beds on tatami. The night at the Japanese-style hot spring hotel will be double occupancy. If you prefer single occupancy at the hotel, please email us after booking. Additional cost will be billed after confirming availability. Many Japanese-style inns do not allow single occupancy as they have limited rooms.
Pending on availability, single occupancy may not be available, so advance notice would be highly appreciated so we can accommodate your needs.
Accommodation condition subject to change and we will do our best to give you advance notification.
Lodging & Facilities
For the first 7 nights, the group will stay at a well-equipped training facility, with private bedrooms, communal shower rooms, bath, toilets, workshop rooms, dining hall. This makes the kintsugi workshop efficient and convenient as you can leave your tools and works at your own work station for the duration of the program.
The final night will be at a local hot spring hotel (private double bed room, private bath & toilet and shared hot-spring facility). Traditional Japanese onsen hotel only offer double bedroom and do not accept single occupancy.
Can I purchase a kintsugi kit at the workshop?
Essential kintsugi tools and broken ceramics for repair practice are included in this package. Please read "What supplies are included"section.
Some kintsugi supplies, outside of the list, will be available for sale at the workshop.
If you would like to purchase additional kinstugi supplies or anything from goenne.com for pick up during the workshop, email us so we can bring the materials to the workshop for you (and you can save on international shipping).
Cut-off time for advance product purchase request is October 1, 2025. Reminder will be emailed to each participant.
Do I need to have any kintsugi, lacquer craft, pottery experience?
No experience necessary. Beginners are most welcome.
Where will the workshop take place? Where do we meet?
Ibaraki Prefecture is 2 hours 45 mins train ride from Tokyo Station. Detail access instruction on how to arrive at meeting point on Oct 19 will be emailed to individual by August 31, 2025 and you can contact us to consult about planning your transportation to this route.
Enrollment is full. How to get on the wait-list?
You will be unable to make payment at the reservation page if the program is full. EMAIL us to have your name added to the wait list.
If space becomes available, we will email you in the order of the wait-list requests received with a "Reply by" date so you can snatch the spot. If no response, the next wait-list name will be invited.
Alternatively, you can plan to join us next year! This is an annual program.
If enough request received, we may consider open additional session for 6 additional person.
Can I cancel after I make reservation?
Yes. Cancellation fee may and partial refund will incur if your request has past certain dates. Refer to dates listed in Refund Policy section and Terms & Conditions
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
We understand some times travel plans could change.
Cancellation request should be made via email.
Cancellation email received by July 1, 2025 (Japan standard time), full refund with a $50 processing fee
Cancellation received on or afterJuly 2 2025 Japan standard time: 50% of total course fee could be refunded
No show will be no refund.
Seat is not transferable.
Read details of policy here.
Can I bring and repair my own broken pottery?
You can bring your own small broken pottery or tools to use in the studio, however, expect the curing time may not be sufficient to properly finish your repair, and the risk of ruining the repair work during your travel.
Feel free to bring your own work for review and consultation and benefit from group discussion on your work.
Application Closing Date
Enrollment will open until all seats are filled. Official last day to enroll is August 15, 2025.
