Urushi Tapping and Cultural Program
A 5-day immersive cultural program exploring urushi tapping, traditional craftsmanship, and the living cultural heritage of Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
Centered in Joboji, one of Japan’s most important urushi-producing regions, the program offers participants a rare opportunity to experience the world of urushi lacquer at its source, from urushi tapping and traditional craftsmanship to encounters with local artisans and the communities sustaining these traditions today.
2026 Program Dates: October 21-25, 2026
Program Language: English
Location:
Joboji & Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, Hachimantai and other locations in the Tohoku region
Cultural Program Fee:
USD $2,080
(Travel/accommodation not included)
The Cultural Program Fee covers program activities only. Transportations and accommodations will be arranged separately through a licensed Japanese travel provider.
No payment is required to submit the Registration Form. Submission does not guarantee enrollment. Accepted participants will receive the Terms & Conditions and payment instructions before completing enrollment.
Registration is Now Open
Why I Created this Program
After studying kintsugi and urushi craft for many years, and reading more and more about urushi, I came to a realization: I thought I knew urushi very well, but I had never actually met an urushi tree or seen where urushi came from.
There is something I believe deeply about craft: it cannot be learned through reading alone. It has to be experienced through hands-on practice, by touching the materials, using the tools, and learning from the people who work with them. Someone can read everything about a craft and understand all the knowledge behind it, but that is very different from knowing it through your own hands.
After watching a video about urushi tapping in Joboji, I became eager to visit the region and experience urushi tapping myself.
I was fortunate enough to have that opportunity. I visited Joboji in Iwate Prefecture, walked through cultivated urushi forests, learned directly from local practitioners about urushi tapping, and met the people who continue to preserve this remarkable tradition.
I left feeling incredibly grateful, not only for what I learned, but for the generosity and trust of everyone who welcomed me and shared their knowledge with me.
Since then, I have been dreaming of creating an opportunity like this for people outside Japan.
This program is my way of sharing that experience with others who are curious about natural urushi and have a deep love for the living culture surrounding it.
— makomako (Kintsugi Artist, New York)
5-Day Program at a Glance
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Day 1
Arrival in Joboji, Introduction to Urushi Culture
Arrive in Ninohe
Welcome to the region and group lunch
Introduction to Joboji and its urushi culture
Visit a cultivated lacquer tree site
Hotel check-in and group dinner
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Day 2
Urushi Forest & Lacquer Tapping
Begin the day with a visit to a local shrine
Spend the day in the urushi forest, learning about the cultivation and care of lacquer trees
Experience traditional urushi-kaki (lacquer tapping) firsthand under the guidance of experienced professionals
Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, techniques, and knowledge behind this living tradition
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Day 3
Joboji’s Urushi Heritage & Craftsmanship
Visit historic Tendaiji Temple and experience the meditative practice of sutra copying
Museum visit: discover how urushi, traditional livelihoods, and everyday life have shaped the culture of Joboji
Explore important cultural objects, historic tools, and lacquerware that trace the journey of urushi from tapping to craftsmanship and reveal the region’s long urushi heritage
Hands-on Workshop: experience Joboji’s craftsmanship through a lacquer polishing workshop
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Day 4
Hachimantai & Appi Lacquerware
Explore Hachimantai’s local culture through regional food and craftsmanship
Hands-on Workshop: Experience applying urushi to a traditional soup bowl at a local lacquerware studio
Visit a local museum, Discover the history and distinctive character of Appi lacquerware
Hands-on Workshop: Experience decorative lacquer techniques with a local urushi artist
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Day 5
Annual Urushi Evaluation & Ninohe Culture
Experience the annual Joboji Urushi Evaluation, a once-a-year gathering of the local urushi-producing community
Explore Ninohe’s regional food and craft culture
Visit a local sake brewery for a special tasting, including a unique craft gin made with roasted Joboji urushi wood
Gather for a final group dinner before concluding the program in Ninohe
Experience urushi at its source
Go beyond working with urushi lacquer as a material and experience where Japanese urushi begins, in the cultivated lacquer forests of Joboji, Iwate Prefecture.Learn directly from the people sustaining the tradition
Experience traditional urushi-kaki (lacquer tapping) firsthand and deepen your understanding through hands-on learning with local practitioners.Encounter a tradition recognized by UNESCO
The production and refinement of Japanese urushi,including urushi-kaki, the traditional practice of tapping lacquer from urushi trees, is included among Japan’s traditional conservation skills recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Participants will have the opportunity to encounter this living tradition firsthand.
Witness a once-a-year moment in Joboji's urushi calendar
The program coincides with Joboji's annual urushi quality evaluation, offering guests a once-a-year opportunity to observe an important gathering within the local urushi-producing community.Understand the connection between material, craft, and place
Discover urushi not simply as a material used in kintsugi, but as part of a larger ecosystem of forestry, craftsmanship, regional knowledge, and cultural heritage.Share the experience in a small group
The program is intentionally small, allowing for meaningful interaction, conversation, and shared learning among people with a common curiosity about urushi and Japanese craft.
Why Join This Program?
Who Is This Program For?
Kintsugi and urushi practitioners who want to deepen their understanding of the material at its source
Artists, designers, craftspeople, and educators interested in traditional Japanese craft
People interested in material culture, craftsmanship, and the preservation of regional traditions
Curious travelers seeking a small-group, hands-on cultural experience in rural Japan
No previous experience with urushi is required. All experience levels are welcome.
This program may be a good fit for you if
You are at least 21 years old.
You are able to communicate and participate in English.
You have a genuine interest in natural urushi and Japanese traditional craftsmanship.
You are comfortable participating in a small-group program in rural Japan.
You are comfortable with outdoor activities, including walking on uneven ground and in cultivated urushi forests.
You are willing to follow safety instructions carefully during activities involving natural urushi.
You understand that the program involves potential exposure to natural urushi, which can cause significant skin reactions.
Cultural Program Fee
USD $2,080 per participant
includes
Urushi tapping and hands-on cultural experiences
Workshops and program activities
Artisan, studio, and cultural site visits
English-language support during program activities
Other cultural program activities described in the itinerary
Not included
International and domestic airfare
Rail transportation
Accommodations
Local transportation
Other travel-related expenses
Japan rail transportation, local transportation, and accommodations will be arranged separately through a licensed Japanese travel provider. A separate quote will be provided by the travel provider based on room type, availability, final group size, and final arrangements.
About the Organizers
This program is jointly organized by Kintsugi Artist makomako (New York) and Shoyodo Art (Tokyo), in collaboration with local artisans and cultural organizations in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
Separate Travel & Accommodation Information
Travel and accommodation are separate from the Cultural Program Fee.
Airfare to and from Japan is not included and must be arranged independently by each participant.
Japan travel arrangements, including accommodations and local transportation, will be arranged separately through Iwate Galaxy Railway Co., Ltd., a licensed Japanese travel provider.
Participants will enter into a separate agreement directly with the travel provider and make payment for travel services directly to the provider. These travel services are not sold by Makomako LLC and are not included in the Cultural Program Fee.
For planning purposes, separate Japan travel and accommodation costs are currently estimated to start at approximately USD $1,050 per person, depending on room type, availability, final group size, and selected arrangements.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and is not a guaranteed price. Final travel arrangements, pricing, and availability will be communicated separately once confirmed.
FAQs
Do I need previous urushi or kintsugi experience?
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No. All experience levels are welcome.
No. The Cultural Program Fee is separate from travel and accommodation arrangements.
Does the Cultural Program Fee include accommodation and transportation?
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How will travel and accommodation be arranged?
3
Airfare to and from Japan is not included and must be arranged independently by each participant.
Japan travel arrangements, including accommodations and local transportation, will be arranged separately through Iwate Galaxy Railway Co., Ltd., a licensed Japanese travel provider. Participants will contract and make payment directly with the travel provider. Final arrangements, pricing, and booking information will be provided once confirmed.
The program includes outdoor activities and walking in rural environments, including cultivated urushi forests and areas with uneven ground. Participants should be comfortable with moderate walking and spending time outdoors.
How physically demanding is the program?
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Yes. Participants will have the opportunity to experience traditional urushi-kaki (lacquer tapping) and participate in hands-on lacquerware activities. These experiences may involve direct or potential exposure to natural urushi, which can cause significant skin reactions.
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Will I be handling natural urushi?
Yes. Tools and protective items needed for the urushi tapping experience, including protective outerwear, gloves, and rubber boots, will be provided for use during the activity. Some items are available in limited quantities and may be shared or used in rotation.
Participants are also encouraged to wear clothing that provides good skin coverage, including long sleeves, long pants, and socks. Additional preparation and safety guidance will be provided before the program.
Will protective gear be provided for urushi tapping?
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Can I take home the urushi lacquer I tap?
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The urushi tapping activity is designed as a hands-on learning experience rather than an opportunity to harvest urushi for personal use.
By late October, the urushi collected is known as urame urushi (裏目漆).
Its drying properties make it unsuitable for most craft applications. After filtering out natural debris, there may be little usable urushi remaining.
For this reason, participants should not expect to take home the urushi collected during the tapping experience. For kintsugi and other craft applications, we recommend purchasing properly processed urushi from a specialized urushi supplier.
What language will the program be conducted in?
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English-language support will be provided throughout the program. Many of the local practitioners we will meet communicate primarily in Japanese, and interpretation will be provided as needed during program activities.
If you are interested in our future program,
Join our Interest List to be the first to receive 2027 program details, pricing, registration updates, and early access when enrollment opens: