Gold leaf (kinpaku) workshop in Kanazawa

Kanazawa produces 99% of all the gold leaf (kinpaku) made in Japan, a craft tradition unbroken since the 16th century. The gold sheets, barely 0,0001 mm thick, are applied to Kutani ceramics, Wajima lacquer, decorative screens and even ice creams and milkshakes in the city-centre shops. Several workshops in the Higashi Chaya district and the Kenroku-en area offer hands-on experiences in which you can apply gold leaf to an object (mirror, lacquer box, postcard) under the guidance of a craftsperson. Prices range between 1.500 and 3.000 ¥ depending on the object chosen and the duration (45-90 minutes). Some workshops also let you watch the process of beating the gold into sheets of traditional paper. Booking is recommended, especially in high season. You can also see the finished objects in the Hakuichi shop in Higashi Chaya, which has a free gallery and sells kinpaku items from 500 ¥. One of the best craft experiences in all of Japan.