Wajima Kobonagaya

The Wajima Kobonagaya of Wajima City is located in the northern region of Ishikawa prefecture. This facility gives visitors a hands-on experience of one of Japan’s traditional crafts, Wajima-nuri. The nagaya or rowhouse is made up of five buildings lined up together, mimicking the division of labor and specialization utilized in making Wajima-nuri. The buildings include workshops where visitors can experience the making of Wajima-nuri for themselves, galleries, and an information desk for tourists. There are eight workshops. The Experience Workshop is where people can make their own chopsticks or Chinkin panels. There is also the Craftsman Workshop where craftsmen are trained in the Wajima-nuri style and the Urushi Workshop is where the lacquerware is finished. Visitors can see the craftsmen working up close in these workshops. There is also a popular restaurant that serves fresh seafood caught in Wajima called “Ryoushi no Mise.” Diners can enjoy both the taste of the food and the beauty of the Wajima lacquerware it is served with.  The local sake and wagashi sweets sold here also make great souvenirs to take home.