Kyoto Handicraft Center

Highlight

Enjoy Kyoto elegance in fun-filled experiences, craft tasters, demonstrations by craftsmen and shopping

The addictive world of Japanese traditional crafts

This is a shopping center located on Okazaki, north of Heian Shrine. Since opening in 1967, it has been a popular spot, drawing visitors from all over the world for 50 years, to see and purchase the diverse range of thoroughly luxurious Japanese items available here from traditional craft works through to exquisite kimonos.
On top of being a store, the center runs a craft-taster classroom for visitors to directly experience one of nine available craft tasters, including Kyoto cloisonné production, scent bag blending, shichimi chili blending, wood engraving, making Kyoto spinning tops and decorating Kyoto fans, as well as watch craftsmen demonstrating production skills in fields such as Kyoto inlay. English-speaking staff members are on hand to attentively explain the processes so that anyone can enjoy making a piece of craft, which - apart from inlay work - can be taken home that day. All of this makes the Kyoto Handicraft Center a trusted “beeline” destination for visitors from all over the world.