Visiting Kobaien in Nara and Kyoto, Japan

You can visit inkstick making at Kobaien Headquarters during the winter months. Reservation needed. There will be a charge. This is usually between November and March of the following year.

If you wish to visit Kobaien, please be sure to be on time,  respectaful, and follow the instructions of the staff.

If you are unable to make it, please be sure to contact us.

Kobaien, or any traditional Japanese industrial workshop, IS NOT a tourist attraction like the Disneyland, a museum, or a zoo.

It is a place where real craftsmen are painstakingly making valuables art works. Everybody have the utmost respect for the craftsmen and staff to support them at Kobaien.

( Photo and article )  Kobaien sumi ink sticks - an incredible 400-yr old tradition

The reason for the set tour times is to ensure that visitors disturb the craftsmen and people of Kobaien as little as possible.

Please be sure to be on time, respectable, and follow the instructions of the staff on site.

• Address:
  Tsubaicho 7, Nara city, Nara, Japan
  奈良県奈良市椿井町7
• Office hours:
  9:00am - 17:00 am ( Monday - Friday)
  
   Inkstick making in traditional way in Japan is held in winter time, usually between November to March. The manufacturing studios are closed in summer. 
  
  
• Closed:
  Saturday, Sunday and National holidays of Japan
• Vegetarian Support in Nara
  If you or your partner is a vegetarian, here's a vegan restaurant list of central Nara city.
  https://vegewel.com/en/area/191
  There's a big supermarket which sells fresh vegetables in the underground mall of JR Nara Station. You can purchase kitchen knife and plates ( if hotel doesn't provide them with you ) at a 1 dollar store at the 2nd floor of also JR Nara station. 
  
  

• Address:
  Yohojimaecho 716-1, Nijonoboru, Teramachi-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto city, Kyoto, Japan
  京都市中京区寺町通二条上る要法寺前町716番地の1
• Office hours:
  9:00am - 17:30 am ( Monday - Saturday)
• Closed:
  Sunday and National holidays of Japan