Taiken, or the making of Japanese arts and craft items, is a fun activity no one should miss. Over the years, I have participated in many taiken from kneading and making soba, to cloisonné pendants, to
making tea cups. This hands on activity is definitely a Travel Japan recommendation. If you’re tired of just sightseeing Japan, or if you’re looking for things to do in Japan, stop and go fishing, or stop and make your own tea cups.
Here’s some great Japan travel tips.
Tired of looking at Kyoto temples or learning about ancient Kyoto? Here’s some Kyoto attractions. Stop by the Kyoto Handicraft Center, where you can participate in various taiken, including a class that I enrolled in-cloisonné pendants. Also available are carving and wood block printing, and doll making. In the Nishijin Textile Center enroll in a textile making class using a loom. Here’s a taiken that may not be in the Japan travel guides. In Kumamoto city, stop by the Hitoyoshi Craft Park and sign up for a class to make your own hanatebako or colorful small box. In Kanazawa? Try designing and making a gold leaf lacquered small jewelry box. In Nagaoka city near Niigata, try harvesting rice in September. Jetfoiled from Niigata harbor to Sado Island, enroll in a class nearby the Sado Gold mine to learn how to pan for actual gold. In Hokkaido near Lake Akan? Try wakasagi(smelt) ice fishing on the lake, or learn ice skating or snowmobile riding. Near Aizu Wakamatsu, known for Japan pottery, try making your own tea cup.
In Kyushu, at a coast near Nagasaki, try fishing with a very large hukilau fish net. In Kagoshima city, try your hand at making sushi “oshizushi“(pressed sushi rice).
Taiken can break up the sightseeing and shopping, and make traveling much more interesting. On your trip to Japan, take a break and try learning about Japan culture and try hands on taiken.
Thanks to Jo Matsu of Marukai Hawaii and the rest of the Marukai gang for the experiences.
For more information on Taiken, please click on the following link. http://traveljapan-us.com/.
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