Nara Craft Festival 2026｜10/24〜10/25 Access & Fees

Why You Should Visit

Held every autumn over two days at Nara Kogeikan, Nara City's crafts museum, this festival reaches its 36th edition. Artisans demonstrate Akahada pottery and Nara lacquerware up close, and you can make your own Nara fan, kogaku mask or Ittobori wood carving in hands-on workshops (registration required). A free coloring corner using Akahada-ware illustrations suits younger visitors, and the special exhibition of Nara traditional crafts runs at the same time. Admission is free.

Programs

Timetable & Map

Essentials

location

Nara Kogeikan (Nara Crafts Museum)

period

October 24, 2026 (Sat) - October 25, 2026 (Sun)

Time

10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)

cost

Free admission (craft workshops 2,200–3,000 yen)

Links

Official Website

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

10 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, 18 minutes from JR Nara Station. Parking for 4 cars only (1 accessible space).

TICKETS / REGISTRATION

Craft workshops (kogaku mask, Nara fan, Ittobori carving) are for upper elementary school age and up and require advance application. Email website.admin@nara-kogeikan.city.nara.nara.jp with the workshop name, address, name (with furigana), age, phone number and email address; applications must arrive by Wed, Oct 14. One application per person; a lottery is held if oversubscribed. Demonstrations, the Akahada coloring corner and the gallery talk need no booking.

NOTE

Free activity

Paint Nara-e motifs with colored brush pens on an illustration of an Akahada tea bowl (open to everyone during the festival)

Also on

Special exhibition: 12th Nara Traditional Crafts Exhibition (Oct 24 – Nov 29)

Visitor gift

Spend 1,000 yen or more in the museum to receive a postcard-size calendar (first 500 visitors)

FAQ

Is there an admission fee?

Admission is free. Craft workshops cost 2,200–3,000 yen each and require registration.

Is there anything to enjoy without booking?

Yes. The Akahada pottery and lacquerware demonstrations, the Akahada coloring corner and the gallery talk on Oct 25 need no booking.

Can I go by car?

The museum has only 4 parking spaces (1 accessible). It is a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.

Calendar

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