Encounter Shinto spirituality in the Yoshino mountains with a 5th-generation craftsman
2 hour private experience
Location: Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Learn about Shintoism, Japan's indigenous religion, from a 5th-generation craftsman. Observe the process of making Shinto household altars and ritual objects, including the sacred mikinokuchi, a religious ornament imbued with good luck. Then, experience some hands-on processes, either crafting your own mikinokuchi or using a traditional woodworking plane.
Who can attend
Children must be 12+
What to wear
Clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty and that you can move around in easily
Availability
Everyday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (14:00 - 16:00)
Not available between December 29th and January 5th
Access
1.5 hours by car from Nara Station
12 minutes walk from Shimoichiguchi Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line
A Religious Realm
It's no simple task crafting the dwelling of gods. Kamidana, household Shinto altars placed in a secure, elevated location around the home and often decorated with a range of spiritual objects, are said to shelter Shinto kami that reside organically throughout Japan. These divine beings, which can be gods or goddesses, spirits of natural origin such as neighboring mountains or rivers, and even ancestral deities, require an area within which to reside- not just in Shinto shrines, but also in the household altars. To construct these sacred spaces a variety of different materials can be used, but the natural, pristine white color of Japanese hinoki cypress is often preferred, just like the structures of Japan's most revered shrine, Ise Jingu. At this traditional workshop located a short distance from Kyoto and Nara city, within the mountains of Yoshino which have long been heralded for their abundant forests and pure mountain water, join a 5th-generation craftsman in witnessing how Shinto kamidana and ritual objects, such as the Nara mikinokuchi spiritual ornament, are crafted. As spirituality combines with craftsmanship, discover more about Shinto beliefs and Japan's woodworking heritage, while immersing in the scenic beauty of Nara's Yoshino region.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 weeks in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
