Tour-1：Kiso-Hirasawa Lacquerware: A Hands-On Journey
Experience the Nature and Artisanship of Kiso
“The whole of the Kiso Trail is in the mountains.” This is the opening sentence from Shimazaki Toson’s beloved novel Before the Dawn. Kiso’s people have lived among, been sustained by, and protected the mountains since ancient times, and even today about 90% of the Kiso Valley is covered in forest.
The village of Kiso-Hirasawa, where this tour takes place, is no exception. It has long benefited from the surrounding forests that provide the high-quality timber its lacquerware industry requires. It is the only lacquerware producing center in Japan designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.Kiso-Hirosawa is well known for the traditional craft known as bentwood (magemono). Local artisans have long made bento lunch boxes and buckets by applying lacquer to enhance the strength of bentwood fashioned from Kiso-produced hinoki cypress.
On this tour, you’ll visit the workshop of a traditional bentwood craft artisan and observe the production process. You’ll get the chance to experience the fascinating world of Japanese woodcraft firsthand, along with the traditional skills that have been kept alive here through the generations.
This tour offers the following delightful experiences:
・A private tour accompanied by an interpreter guide
・A hands-on rice ball (omusubi) making experience
・Traditional Kiso lacquerware techniques, including “hegi” and “mage”
・Strolling through two cultural heritage towns: Narai-juku and Kiso-Hirasawa
・Hiking in the beautiful satoyama (countryside) of Kiso
・A rice ball lunch at a wonderful local shrine
For more details
Click the “Book now” button below to view detailed information and make inquiries.
Tour-2：Nakasendo Connections: Narai-juku to Kiso-Hirasawa
Meet the Locals, Discover the Region
On this tour, you’ll walk the Nakasendo Trail from Narai-juku to the neighboring village of Kiso-Hirasawa. But this is more than just a walking tour.
Like other well-preserved Kiso post towns, the Japanese government has designated the streetscapes of Narai-juku and Kiso Hirasawa as Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Important Buildings in their entirety. One big difference though is that many more people still lead their daily lives here.
On this tour, as you walk the Nakasendo, you’ll have various encounters you might not have on your own. These includes meeting someone who works tirelessly to preserve our traditional townscapes, as well as someone who has dedicated himself to passing on increasingly endangered crafting traditions and their culture to the next generation.
Walking with an expert local guide, you’ll catch a glimpse of local people’s lives, get a sense of what’s important to them, and understand what it’s like to live here.
This tour offers the following delightful experiences:
・Learn About Preservation Efforts in Narai-juku
・Visit a Lacquerware Workshop in Kiso-Hirasawa
・Experience Local Culture at Narakawa Elementary and Junior High School
・Enjoy a Lunch Made with Local Ingredients
For more details
Click the “Book now” button below to view detailed information and make inquiries.
