Kanazawa literally means stream of gold. In old days in Kanazawa, there was a man called “Imohori Tougoro”. He found golf fust when he cleaned sweet potato. This is why we call the city “Kanazawa”. We don’t have gold mines, still 99% of gold leaf used in Japan is made in Kanazawa. Kinkakuji in Kyoto, known as golden pavilion, its wall’s gold is from Kanazawa.
In Kanazawa, you can buy lots of golden crafts. Not only buying, you can even make your own crafts – e.g. chopsticks or jewelry box with gold leaf.
When it comes to gold, you will think something expensive. However, handmade gold leaf is an affordable price. You never be able to experience making your crafts with gold leaf in any other place on the planet out of Kanazawa.
There are several places offering handmade experience.
Gold leaf Sakuda
I definitely recommend here because not only craft experience, you can see the process of making gold leaf in Sakuda. And also Sakuda is close to Higashi chaya geisha district.
How to get there
They are close to Higashi chaya geisha district.
From Kanazawa station, it takes 20 minutes by walking. By bus Kanazawa loop bus (clockwise) is convenient.
Take a Kanazawa loop bus (clockwise) from east terminal of Kanazawa station and get off at Hashiba-cho (RL5).
Walk back and turn to the right at the second corner.
From counterclockwise bus stop (LL11), walk into the street you can find across the street on the right side.
You will find a souvenir shop at the left corner soon. The right corner is sweet shop. Turn to the left at the corner and walk 100m, Sakuda is on the left side. If you reach to the corner, you means you missed it.
Address
〒920-0831 石川県金沢市東山1-3-27
1-3-27, Higashiyama, Kanazawa zip 920-0831
Phone +81-76-251-6777
Hours
| Hours | 4 times a day. 1 hour each time. 9:00am-, 10:30am-, 1:00pm-, 3:00pm- 50 people at a time. |
| Closed | No closing days |
| Fees (e.g.) | 600yen for chopsticks. 900yen for a lacquered plate. 1, 400yen for a compact mirror. 3, 000yen for wooden pendant |
Hakuza
They are also located Higashi chaya geisha district.
How to get there
They are close in Higashi chaya geisha district.
From Kanazawa station, it takes 20 minutes by walking.
By bus, take a Kanazawa loop bus (clockwise) from east terminal of Kanazawa station and get off at Hashiba-cho (RL5).
Walk back and turn to the right at the second corner.
From counterclockwise bus stop (LL11), walk into the street you can find across the street on the right side.
Walking 1 minute and then you will come into Higashi chaya geisha district. Hakuza is on the left side.
Address
〒920-0831 石川県金沢市東山1-13-18
1-13-18, Higashiyama, Kanazawa zip 920-0831
Phone +81-76-251-3641
Hours
| Hours | 6 times a day. 1 hour each time. 10:00am-, 11:00am-, 1:30pm-, 2:30pm-, 3:30pm- 6people at a time. |
| Closed | Sunday, Monday, National holiday, and New year holiday |
| Fees (e.g.) | 540yen for postcard. 1, 000yen for a chopsticks. 1, 500yen for 4 pairs of small plates. |
