Venture deep into the woods & crafts of the Kiso Valley on a factory and forest tour
1.5 hour private experience
Location: Kiso-gun, Nagano
Offered in Japanese, with friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the master
A 3rd-generation woodworking artisan and the current factory owner, Toshihiko creates wooden products that utilize the rich natural resources of the Kiso valley's dense tapestry of timber--namely, the famed Kiso hinoki cypress that surrounds his factory. Their woodworking has been featured everywhere, from the cypress desks commissioned by the local elementary school, to Shinto altars, lighting fixtures, and even larger designs decorating restaurants, hotels, and businesses.
What you’ll do
Join a 3rd-generation woodworking factory owner on a factory tour. Learn about kumiko, an interlocking Japanese woodworking art, and the other wooden products created by the company. Then, trek deep into the Kiso cypress forest to see exactly where the timber that creates these works of art grows.
Who can attend
Children must be 12+
What to wear
Please wear comfortable clothing.
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (10:00 - 11:30)
Session 2 (13:30- 15:00)
Unavailable on weekends and national holidays.
Access
1 hour 50 minutes by car from Nagoya Station, 30 minutes by car from Nakatsugawa Station
Seeing the forest for the trees
The towering trunks of hinoki cypress trees arch, disappearing into the skyline, as golden dapples of sunlight filter in between the trees, breaking through the haze of mountain mist and dense lower growth within the forest. Since Japan's Edo Period, the ancient Nakasendo trade route that weaves through the Kiso Valley to connect Kyoto and Tokyo, has remained shrouded by groves renowned for the quality-protected by strict shogun regulations, and even used to rebuild the sacred structures of Ise Shrine, Japan's most holy location. This abundant natural resource has resulted in the establishment of a rich heritage of wood craft, from Nagiso woodturning to Kiso lacquerware, that showcases the elegance of wood. Kiso cypress, often 250 to 300 years old, grows strong in even oppressive winter conditions, forming dense tree rings and a mesmerizingly detailed grain. Here, located right along the still-flourishing Nakasendo trail (now frequented by hikers and travelers, rather than feudal lords), join a 3rd-generation woodworking artisan at his woodworking factory, as he keeps the tradition of Kiso woodcraft alive for future generations. Witness how traditional techniques met modern innovation, before stepping outside and into the woods to bask in the beauty of the prized Kiso cypress trees sustaining Japan's woodcrafting legacy.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 14 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
