Keeping the Kamakura-bori Tradition Alive

A Direct Encounter with Kamakura’s Wood-Carving Masters

In the historic former capital, now known for temples, buddhas, shrines, and scenic walks, the Kamakura Traditional Wood Carving Museum provides a focused, meaningful encounter with Kamakura-bori, a local traditional wood-carving art with more than 800 years of history. Born in the Zen temples of Kamakura, Kamakura-bori is more than a traditional craft—it offers an intimate encounter with Zen philosophy. By observing a local artisan carve away the unnecessary, visitors experience mindfulness, simplicity, and the quiet depth at the heart of Zen culture.Just a 5-minute walk from Kamakura Station, this immersive cultural experience offers travellers a rare opportunity to connect with Kamakura’s history and living craftsmanship—even for those with a limited travel schedule.

A Short Visit with Lasting Impact

Designed to fit seamlessly into a Kamakura itinerary, this experience allows guests to engage deeply with local culture in approximately 90 minutes.

Through interactions with the craft people, and listening to their stories, visitors gain insight into Kamakura’s past as a centre of wood-carving masters and family lineages. This historical context comes vividly to life during a live carving demonstration by a contemporary master artisan, revealing the techniques and discipline behind this refined craft.

The experience concludes with a quiet moment of hospitality: matcha and traditional sweets, served in authentic Kamakura-bori lacquerware—transforming history into something to be touched, used, and remembered.

Why This Experience 

Visitors to the museum are left with a better understanding of the outstanding traditions of wood-carving which they will be able to see around them in their explorations of Kamakura and beyond. Equally, the memory of their conversations with the skilled artisans, and the knowledge that their visit contributes to the preservation of these traditions, will be a treasured memory of their trip to Japan.

“It’s not only vital for keeping this traditional art alive, but it was also mesmerising to watch such a skilled artisan at work.” Karl, Selective Asia 

Experience Options:

Daytime Session: An easy-to-include cultural stop, ideal between sightseeing visits.Evening Session (Private Experience): A more intimate after-hours visit for travelers seeking exclusivity and depth.

Practical Highlights

Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours

Location: Kamakura-bori Assembly Hall (3rd Floor), Komachi, Kamakura

Access: Just a 5-minute walk from Kamakura Station

Availability: Year-round (Closed Mondays & Tuesdays, summer holidays, year-end & New Year holidays, and other occasional closures)

Click here for tariff info immediately. Feel free to peruse our product library for other experiences available in Kamakura and elsewhere in Kanagawa prefecture.