Witness the grand-scale creations of a master miyadaiku carpenter of over 50 years
2.5 hour private experience
Location: Hachioji City, Tokyo
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Enter the workshop of a master miyadaiku carpenter and witness the detail that goes into the creation of the maginficent structures that are temples and shrines. Then, try your hand at using the tools utilized by the miyadaiku to experience the careful precision of every minute detail.
Who can attend
Children must be 12+
What to wear
Comfortable clothing is recommended
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (13:30 - 16:00)
Access
1 hour 30 minutes by car from Tokyo Station
1 hour from Shinjuku Station
In the Grand Scale of Things
In Japan, the land of many natural disasters, many temples and shrines of old have remained standing to this day due to the skills and techniques of building and repairing these structures passed down through miyadaiku, or the temple and shrine carpenters. The grand structures of temples and shrines all begin with an unpainted body of a building, pieced together with parts carefully measured and crafted in the miyadaiku carpenters' workshop. At this workshop on the outskirts of Tokyo, the head miyadaiku carpenter and company president meticulously measures and draws the reference blueprint of the next project. Then his team, including himself, crafts and shapes each to-scale building part, from roof parts to floor panels. Tasked with rebuilding and restoring national treasure structures all across Japan, this master craftsman always seeks inspiration from both historical buildings and modern art and architecture. Enter the workshop of a miyadaiku carpenter with over 50 years of experience, and see firsthand the detail that goes into the intricate religious space structures that are the temples and shrines of Japan.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 30 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
Tours will rarely be canceled or changed, even in cases of bear activity or bad weather.
