Nagano: Japanese Lacquerware Craft Tour in the Kiso Valley

works of Kiso lacquerware, a traditional craft that has developed in the Kiso Valley over generations. Inside the museum, guests can see a wide range of lacquerware, from elegant everyday items to works by master artisans, and learn how different urushi techniques create distinctive textures, colors, and finishes. The museum also displays tools and materials used in the production process, helping visitors understand the patience, precision, and craftsmanship behind each lacquered piece. This visit provides an essential foundation before walking through Kiso-Hirasawa and seeing lacquerware in local shops.

ne of the main centers of Kiso lacquerware. Located along the former Nakasendo route between Edo and Kyoto, the area developed as a craft town where woodwork and lacquerware became closely connected to the local landscape and way of life. Today, visitors can still walk through streets lined with traditional buildings and lacquerware shops, where a wide variety of bowls, trays, chopsticks, cups, and other handcrafted items are displayed. During the tour, guests will visit local shops, compare different styles and finishes, and learn how to appreciate lacquerware not only as a beautiful craft, but also as something designed for everyday use.