★2026NEW★ Kuroishi Town Walk & Craft Experience: Tsugaru Lacquerware or Kokeshi Painting

Tucked away in the mountains of Aomori Prefecture, the small castle town of Kuroishi has quietly preserved centuries of craftsmanship, warmth, and local pride. This intimate, private tour brings you face-to-face with the artisans and traditions that make this corner of Tohoku unlike anywhere else.

Your day begins with a comfortable taxi ride from Kuroishi Station, where your English-speaking guide will meet you on arrival. From there, step into the world of Tsugaru lacquerware — one of Japan’s finest and most distinctive craft traditions. You’ll have the choice of two hands-on experiences: crafting your own lacquered chopsticks at a traditional workshop, or painting a Kuroishi kokeshi doll to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

After working up an appetite, you’ll stop for lunch at Tabi no Yado Saikawa, a charming local inn where simple, satisfying food awaits. The afternoon is spent strolling through the atmospheric streets of Kuroishi’s old town before visiting Matsunoyama Kōryūkan, a cultural exchange hall celebrating the area’s beloved hot-spring traditions.  

Throughout the day, your guide and taxi whisks you seamlessly between locations — so you can focus entirely on the experience, not the logistics.

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Where: Kuroishi Station (Kōnan Railway, Kōnan Line) — meet at the station exit Time: 10:30 – 14:40
Duration: Approx. 4 hours
Size: 2–3 persons
Price: ¥48,400 per person (¥44,000 + 10% tax) *Minimum 2 guests *If only 1 guest, the 2-person rate applies.
Area: Aomori / Kuroishi

Please note:
– In the event that a scheduled venue is closed on its regular holiday, an alternative experience of equivalent value will be provided.
– The booking will be automatically cancelled if you do not arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes after the start time.

OUTLINE

MEETING PLACE

TOUR COURSE

10:30

Meet your guide at Kuroishi Station (Kōnan Railway, Kōnan Line). Depart Hirosaki approx. 9:50, arriving Kuroishi approx. 10:26.

[Taxi] Kuroishi Station → craft workshop (approx. 16 min)

10:50

Choose your craft experience:

A) Tsugaru Lacquerware Workshop — “Lacquerware Chopstick Carving” Learn the art of Tsugaru-nuri, one of Japan’s most prized lacquerware traditions. Create your own beautifully patterned chopsticks under the guidance.

B) Kuroishi Kokeshi Hall — Doll Painting Experience
Paint and personalize your own Kuroishi kokeshi doll — a folk art form unique to this region.

11:50

[Taxi] Workshop → Tabi no Yado Saikawa (approx. 2 min by car)

12:00

Lunch at Tabi no Yado Saikawa A warm, unfussy meal at one of Kuroishi’s most-loved local inns.

[Taxi] Saikawa → Matsunoyama Kōryūkan (approx. 16 min)

13:20

Kuroishi Town Walk (approx. 60 min)

Wander through the handsome historic streets of Kuroishi, guided by a local expert.
Discover the town’s samurai-era layout, sake breweries, and hidden neighborhood character.

[Taxi] Return to Kuroishi Station (approx. 2 min)

14:40

Arrive at Kuroishi Station.
Board the 14:40 train toward Hirosaki, arriving approx. 15:14.