Yame Fukushima: Meet the Craftspeople Keeping Traditions Alive (1.5hrs)
*Visit locations and fees have been revised effective January 2025.
Yame Fukushima is an area filled with tradition and is home to many craftspeople who still make their livelihoods here. This course offers a unique introduction to the living history of Yame through a handpicked itinerary that takes you through streets filled with traditional architecture, inside a hard-to-access Buddhist altar artisan workshop, and more. Looking for a bite to eat or souvenirs to take back home? Ask our guide for personalized recommendations!
- ● Visit the workshop of artisans crafting Buddhist altars and more — places not easily accessible on one’s own
- ● Enjoy Yame tea and sweets at Yabeya Konomi Honke, the oldest tea shop in Yame
- ● Explore historical sites such as the Hachimangu Shrine
- ● Learn about the historical roots of Yame
- ● A portion of the participation fee will go towards funding shrine renovation expenses and running costs of the workshops visited during the tour
- ● A demonstration of Yame Chochin lanterns is also available.
- Kunie KomiyaTour Guide
- While working as an architect on the renovation of an old private house in Yame, she was attracted to the charms of the town and moved, becoming a member of the Community Development Cooperation Corps. Kunie is in charge of promoting, planning, and managing the community currency, Machi no Coin Yame “Roman”, and also appears on FM Yame's, "Yame's Roman" corner on Wednesdays.
- Asuka HoriMaruyasabou Tea House Owner ・ Tour Guide
- Asuka moved to Yame after being attracted to the town's charm and fact that handicrafts are close at hand. In the summer of 2020, she opened Maruyasabou, a tea house where visitors can casually experience Yame matcha through an “ochamagoto” experience that focuses on enjoying tea ceremonies in a more casual and accessible way.
Creating Buddhist Altars with the Traditional Methods of Yame Fukushima: Ogata Butsudan Honten
In Yame, the craft of making Buddhist altars (known as butsudan in Japanese) is divided amongst different craftspeople, each specializing in their own process. At Ogata Butsudan Honten, they perform the “finishing” part of production; after collecting all the different parts of the butsudan, the workshop performs applies lacquer and gold leaf before putting it all together. Amidst declining numbers of craftspeople who work in the butsudan production process, Ogata Butsudan Honten is a workshop filled with craftspeople both young and old who continue to pass down butsudan-making traditions.
The Namesake of Yame Tea: Yabeya Konomi Honke
A tea merchant in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Yabeya Konomi Honke is the oldest tea wholesaler in Kyushu. Founded between 1704 – 1710, the wholesaler took various teas of the region, all differing in name and quality, and branded them together as “Yame Tea.” Today, Yame Tea is a high-end strand known for its rich and sweet flavors. After taking a tea and snack break in the shop’s inner parlor, explore the inside architecture of an igura, a traditional late-Edo period townhouse.
A Lantern Shop Established in 1836: Ito Gonjiro Shoten – Optional Demonstration (30 min)
Yame is known across Japan as the largest producer of Bon lanterns, used for guiding ancestral spirits during the summer holiday of the same name. Paper lanterns made in Yame are unique, in that they are made by spiraling a long string of bamboo to form the lantern’s main body.
Ito Gonjiro Shoten crafts a wide range of lanterns for shrines, temples, festivals, and other events. With a simple design that suits a variety of environments, their lanterns not only adorn shrines and temples, but are also used in non-traditional settings such as hotel interiors, department buildings, and movie sets.
For an added fee, you can watch a live demonstration of the lantern-making process. (Small lantern with wire frame: 35,000 yen per group, traditional bamboo strip lantern: 70,000 yen per group). The completed lantern can be shipped via COD at a later date. Please let us know if you wish to add this to your tour when applying.
Experience a World of Artisanship at Craft Inn 手 [té]
Located in Yame close to the Unagi no Nedoko store (10 minutes by foot) is Craft Inn 手 [té], an inn operated by UNA Laboratories that was renovated from a traditional Japanese building. From the furniture to the fixtures, bath, and decorations, every aspect of the inn highlights the craftsmanship of local artisans. An overnight stay at Craft Inn 手 [té] paired with a craft tour is a great way to experience the spirit of Kyushu and its craftspeople! Learn more about Craft Inn 手 [té] and reserve a room here.
＼Testimonials of Past Participants／
- ‧ It was incredible to have this experience to retrace the history of Yame and gain a deeper understanding of its traditional craft culture and architecture — all while having fun!
- ‧ I had a lot of fun on this tour, which was filled with visits to places that are usually tough to get access to. I learned so much and also got a sense of the area’s history.
- ‧ It was nice to be walk around the town in a small group and friendly atmosphere.
| Tour Code | GFYM03 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 13:30〜 ※Tours are held by request. Please send us your preferred dates using the inquiry form. We will check availability and get back to you as soon as possible. |
| Duration | 1.5 hours |
| Schedule |
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| Languages | Japanese/English |
| Participants | Minimum 2 / Maximum 6 |
| Meeting Location |
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| Reservation Deadline | Up to three days before the tour. For tours that have reached the minimum number of participants and are scheduled to take place, 30 minutes before the start of the tour. |
| Payment Method | Advance payment at the time of reservation (VISA, Mastercard, Amex) |
| Attire | Please wear comfortable clothing and accessories to stay cool, such as a sun parasol/hat, etc. |
| Notes |
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| Cancellation Policy | 3 to 1 day(s) preceding the tour start date: 50% of the tour fee |
Travel Planning: Implementation
- UNA Laboratories Inc. (Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Registration #2-951)
- 3-12-22-302 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture 810-0022
- TEL: 092-982-7956E-MAIL: tour@unalabs.jp
- Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors:
Aya Tamura, Noriko Yahata, Rei Watanabe - Business Hours:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays) - *Requests received outside of business hours will be processed the following business day.
- *Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors are responsible for transactions held at the sales office that processes customers’ travel. Please do not hesitate to contact the aforementioned Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors with any questions or concerns regarding the travel contract.
Tour Information
- Dates
- Saturdays 13:30~
※Tours are held by request. Please send us your preferred dates using the inquiry form. We will check availability and get back to you as soon as possible.
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Recommended Age
- Any age (should be able to walk comfortably for 1.5 hours)
- Price
- 5,800yen (tax included)
- Remarks
- ※ Children under 6 years old: free
※ Children between 6 and 12 years old: ¥1,500 (tax included)