Japan Urushi Forestry Experience
+ Kintsugi Workshop 2026

Essential kintsugi tools and broken ceramics for repair practice are included in this package. Please read the "What supplies are included" section.

Some kintsugi supplies, outside of the list, will be available for sale at the workshop.

If you would like to purchase additional kintsugi supplies or anything from goenne.com for pick up during the workshop, email us so we can bring the materials to the workshop for you (and you can save on international shipping).

Cut-off time for advance product purchase request is October 1, 2026. Reminder will be emailed to each participant.

All food cost is covered (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/coffee & tea). If you require a special diet or have food allergies, please notify us during reservation and we will do our best to accommodate. Japanese cuisine is in general high-quality and healthy, but most places have little experience with vegetarian, vegan or special diets. We cannot guarantee availability for all meals during the program.

Alcohol beverage is not included and will be your out-of-pocket expense.

No experience necessary. Beginners are most welcome.

We recommend you bring your own sleeve covers or simple long-sleeve work clothes or apron. Once urushi gets on fabric, it is not removable. Sleeves will also protect you from direct skin-contact with raw lacquer.

We will have extra gloves, sleeves and apron on site. If you need special sizes for aprons and latex gloves, it is recommended you bring your own — Japanese sizes run small for Westerners.

Bring your own pens and notebooks as well!

You can bring your own small broken pottery or tools to use in the studio, however expect the curing time may not be sufficient to properly finish your repair, and there is a risk of ruining the repair work during your travel.

Feel free to bring your own work for review and consultation, and benefit from group discussion on your work.

Technically, the facility is a training center so tourists cannot use or reserve. However, based on certain conditions and negotiation with the facility, we may be able to accommodate under some restrictions: (a) limit to 1 or 2 additional guests, (b) short stay of 1-2 nights sharing the bedroom with you (there are multiple beds in the room).

There are a few local pension and guest houses in town which your guests can choose as well. After all, we do want more people to visit Daigo and explore its rural beauty.

As everyone has different travel plans, email us to discuss your case so we can make the best suggestion.

Ibaraki Prefecture is 2 hours 45 mins train ride from Tokyo Station. Detail access instruction on how to arrive at the meeting point on Oct 22 will be emailed to each individual by August 31, 2026. While you plan your travel itinerary, feel free to contact us to consult about planning your transportation to this route.

We want to keep the group small to maintain quality discussion time and workshop experience. However, we can possibly increase headcount for 1 or 2 extra persons based on assessment.

You will be unable to make payment at the reservation page if the program is full. Email us to have your name added to the wait list.

If space becomes available, we will email you in the order of waitlist requests received with a "Reply by" date so you can snatch the spot. If no response, the next waitlist name will be invited. Alternatively, you can plan to join us next year — this is an annual program.

If enough requests are received, we may consider opening an additional session for 6 additional persons on the week before or after the main program dates.

YES. Please read through the What is Urushi page and urushi allergy information to understand the material and decide if you would still want to participate in a program that handles urushi every day. You are also required to wear gloves, clothing and proper gear when handling urushi.

Report immediately if skin contact occurred so we can provide oil and alcohol for immediate cleansing. Not all people will show an allergic rash; if it occurs, remedies are only for temporary relief and you may have to endure the rash for 1–2 weeks.

A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure your seat.

The remaining 50% balance is due on or before July 15, 2026 to confirm your reservation. An invoice for the balance will be issued after we receive the deposit, and payment may be made at any time prior to July 15, 2026.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email.

The 50% deposit is non-refundable.

If cancellation occurs on or before July 15, 2026, any balance payments made will be refunded minus a 4.6% transaction fee.

Cancellations made after July 15, 2026 are non-refundable.

Read full Terms & Conditions →

Enrollment will be open until August 15th. Email us to inquire if an open seat is available after August 15th.

For the first 7 nights, the group will stay at a well-equipped training facility, with private bedrooms, communal shower rooms, bath, toilets, workshop rooms, and a dining hall. This makes the kintsugi workshop efficient and convenient as you can leave your tools and works at your own workstation for the duration of the program.

The final night will be at a local hot spring hotel (private double bed room, private bath & toilet, and shared hot-spring facility). Traditional Japanese onsen hotels usually do not accept single occupancy except with special permission. Refer to Room occupancy section for updates.

Accommodation for the first 7 nights will be single occupancy in private rooms with both western beds and Japanese-style futon beds on tatami. This year, with special permission from the Japanese inn, the night at the Japanese-style hot spring inn will be single occupancy, own private room. If you are participating with a friend and want to share the room, let us know and we can make arrangement.

Accommodation condition subject to change and we will do our best to give you advance notification.

Yes. Washer & dryer is available for use for free in the training facility.

Yes. We can provide cost estimate for the additional cost and your company will be invited to join our final night group dinner.

The Japanese style room can accommodate up to 4 people on Japanese futon beds. You can also request to upgrade the room to a larger size or with a private in-room onsen tub (based on availability).

Email us in advance to inquire.