Stories
What to Do in Hokuriku: Crafts, Villages, and Living Traditions
Hokuriku offers experiences rooted in making, movement, and quiet observation. Visitors can explore centuries-old villages, walk through preserved geisha districts, and witness traditional crafts such as metal casting, knife making, and washi paper production. In Ishikawa, long-established traditions of lacquerware and Kutani ceramicware reveal how surface, form, and function evolve through generations of artisans. From moss-covered shrine paths to hands-on workshops and Zen meditation, these activities show how history and daily life remain closely intertwined across Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui.
Setsubun in Japan — Marking the Threshold of Spring
Setsubun in Japan: Traditional Bean-Throwing Rituals and Seasonal Customs
Learn about Setsubun, the Japanese ritual marking the transition from winter to spring, including bean-throwing, home preparations, and symbolic craft objects.

