Kanazawa makes over 99% of Japan's gold leaf, according to Ishikawa Prefecture. Gold the size of a ten-yen coin is beaten out to about the area of four tatami mats. 5 places, chosen by Rin and checked by the editors.
Saiwaimachi
The main shop of a gold-leaf maker founded in 1898. It offers leaf-application workshops and, on some days, shows part of the engitsuke leaf-making process, a technique on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays.
RinLeaf makers since 1898. Some days, the engitsuke work is shown in the shop.
Owaricho
The Kanazawa shop of Katani, a gold-leaf maker founded in 1899. It sells craft gold and silver leaf and its Hanafubuki edible leaf, and runs leaf-application workshops.
RinThe edible leaf is made on a separate line from the craft leaf.
Higashi Chaya
A city museum built on the gold-leaf artworks and tools collected by former leaf craftsman Yasue Takaaki; Japan's only gold-leaf museum, moved to Higashiyama in autumn 2010. Closed Tuesdays.
RinJapan's only gold-leaf museum, with the beating tools on show.
Higashi Chaya
A gold-leaf maker founded in 1919. You can watch the leaf being beaten, and buy what the workshop makes.
RinYou can hear the leaf being beaten. Watch first, buy later.
Higashi Chaya
A gold-leaf house in Higashi Chaya, with tableware and small things in its own gold-and-platinum leaf, and a storehouse in the courtyard covered in leaf.
RinThe gold storehouse in the courtyard looks better on a grey day.
Kanazawa · Gold leafKanazawa · Kaga yuzen dyeingKanazawa · MatchaKanazawa · SweetsKanazawa · To eatKanazawa · CoffeeKanazawa · Vessels
All of Rin's Kanazawa →Rin is a fictional traveller. Every place here was checked by the editors to exist and be open. Please confirm hours on the official site before you go.