Gold leaf production in Kanazawa dates back 400 years and today is one the city’s many flourishing traditional crafts with gold leaf decorated goods featuring heavily in the city’s souvenir stores. One of the most popular specialty gold leaf stores is Gold Leaf Sakuda. This company has many branches in Kanazawa, but the main store in the Higashi Chaya-gai district is particularly worth visiting. Here you can take a tour of the factory, view the production process, and even try some gold leaf decoration yourself.
Sakuda Gold Leaf Main Store
The Story of Kanazawa Gold Leaf
The story of Kanazawa gold leaf begins in 1583 at an important point in the city’s history. That was the year that Lord Toshiie Maeda, the first ruler of the local Kaga clan, rode into the city and established himself at Kanazawa Castle. That same year he ordered the first production of gold and silver leaf. This was part of a wider push by the Maeda family to encourage the development of arts and crafts in Kanazawa which resulted in the city becoming one of Japan’s leading centers of culture. Traditional handicrafts flourish in Kanazawa, and among them perhaps nothing better expresses the local pride in workmanship and artistry than the use of gold leaf. Gold leaf is used to decorate folding screens, lacquerware, ceramics, glassware, sculptures, calligraphy and Noh drama costumes. It is also essential for decorating temples, shrines, and Buddhist altars.
Fans, jewelry boxes, and lucky gods all decorated with gold leaf
Gold leaf is so thin and delicate when it is produced that even a tiny amount of static electricity can tear it. This makes the humid climate of Kanazawa and also the purity of the local water supply uniquely suited to its production. For this reason 99% of the gold leaf produced in Japan today is made in Kanazawa. 100% of the silver leaf and platinum leaf is also made here. Collectively called “Kanazawa haku” it is a nationally designated traditional handicraft.
At Gold Leaf Sakuda
The Sakuda company was founded in 1919 as a gold leaf wholesaler, but began producing its own decorated crafts in 1970. Today it is one of Kanazawa’s most popular brands of gold leaf decorated goods. At their main store you can buy a variety of decorated ornaments, accessories, and ceramics and lacquerware. You can also enjoy a cup of tea with flecks of gold in it! In addition the store features a gold leaf mini-museum, and gives tours of the factory area so you can view the gold leaf manufacturing process. If you want to try decorating some simple objects with gold yourself, such as chopsticks, dishes, or jewelry boxes, you can do so in their hands-on workshops. Before you leave be sure to check out the store’s super gorgeous restrooms with walls covered in gold and platinum foil.
Inside the main store’s gold leaf craft shop
Gold Decorating Workshops
There are four decorating workshops each day which last for 60 minutes each. These begin at 9.00, 10.30, 13.00, and 15.00. Prices vary depending on the object you decide to decorate, and materials are included. Reservations are required, so it is wise to book in advance using the workshop page on the official Sakuda website.
After a long process of pressing and beating the gold leaf can be as thin as 0.0001mm thick. Hold it up and you can see the light through it
Access
Gold Leaf Sakuda has several branches in Kanazawa. In the Higashi Chaya area, the Main Store is about 100 meters from the historic teahouse district and is the branch for viewing the manufacturing process and joining workshops. Nearby Sakuda branches such as the Machiya District Store and Chaya District Store focus on shopping for gold leaf goods and food products.
There is an arrow outside the Chaya District Store pointing to the Main Store
To get to the Higashi Chaya-gai district from Kanazawa Station take a Castle Town Kanazawa Loop Bus from East Gate bus stop #7 to the Hashiba-cho bus stop. The Right Loop reaches Hashiba-cho in about 12 minutes and is the faster loop for this area. The fare is 220 yen for adults and 110 yen for children. From Hashiba-cho bus stop, the Higashi Chaya-gai area is a 5 minute walk. Here is a map for the area.
The Main Store and nearby Sakuda branches generally open from 9:00 to 17:00.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 21-May-2026.
