Toyama Bay and Takaoka Town Metalworking Tour From Kanazawa
Abutting the remarkable Toyama Bay, Takaoka is a city with a diverse history of over 350 years. Known as the “Kitchen of Kanazawa”, it produced large amounts of food, metal working and pottery. As the second city of the Kaga Domain, much wealth was poured into the city, mostly in the form of building great temples. Two of those great temples, Zuiryuji and Shokoji, still remain and are considered National Treasures. On this tour you will see those temples, try your hand at metalworking and see the Amaharashi Coast with a view of the snow-capped Tateyama mountains in the background.
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Toyama Bay and Takaoka Town Metalworking Tour From Kanazawa
What's included in Toyama Bay and Takaoka Town Metalworking Tour From Kanazawa
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Zuiryuji Temple
Start your tour at Kanazawa Station, where your guide will greet you begin the tour. The meeting point will be outside the shinkansen ticket gate, in front of the information center sign. We will then head to the shinkansen to take the train to Takaoka at 8:26. Arrive at Shin-Takaoka Station. You will have time to go to the bathroom before heading out. It is about 15 minutes on foot to the first temple of the day. Arrive at Zuiryuji Temple. We will take our time walking through the grand layout and historical decorations and architecture. Make sure to take a long look at complexity of the ceiling of the central Buddhist alter and the statue of the toilet god in the main alter.
Takaoka Daibutsu Buddha
Next, we will see the Takaoka Daibutsu or Big Buddha. A large Buddha has been in this spot for hundreds of years but after it burned down, a bronze version was made. This city is famous for its metal working so the redesign was right up their alley. After finishing seeing the Takaoka Daibutsu, we will take a stroll through two of the traditional preserved street of the city. The buildings in these areas are form various times but mostly the late 1800s and early 1900s. The mix of local construction techniques with "modern" design make for a type of architecture that is not well preserved in any other part of Japan.
Takaoka Regional Local Industry Center
Time to start the metalworking experience! You will carve your design into a sand mold, pour the tin into to the mold and watch as your creation becomes a reality. It is really is amazing to participate along with masters of the craft that have passed on the craft for generations. And of course, you can bring your creation home with you.
Inclusions
- Entry fee at Zuiryuji and Shokoji Temple
- English speaking guide
- Kanayamachi Metalworking Experience Fee
- Transportation to and from Takaoka and between all destinations during the tour.
- Lunch
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- The meetup point is outside of the Shinkansen ticket gates, in front of the information center at 08:00 AM. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.
