Travel Startup 'Deeper Japan' Expands Kyoto Experiences with 17 New Cultural Activities, Connecting Global Travelers with the Sole Workshop Crafting Silk Strings for 1,000-Year-Old Gagaku Music

Deeper Japan, operated by Departure Travel Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo / Representative: Hikaru Ishikawa), which partners with artisans, artists, and nature guides across Japan to develop and offer cultural activities for inbound tourists, has added 17 new experiential offerings in its existing Kyoto area. With this expansion, the Kyoto region now features over 50 experiences, solidifying its position as Deeper Japan’s second-largest hub after Tokyo, within its nationwide network of over 400 experiences.

Deeper Japan Kyoto: https://deeperjapan.com/kyoto

The Workshop Weaving Japan’s Sound from Silk

"Strings must not stretch once installed on an instrument."

The 10th-generation artisan said this with a smile in a traditional machiya workshop tucked deep within a Kyoto alley. He speaks of the obvious as if it were natural. Yet, there is quiet weight in the words of someone who has upheld this 'obvious' truth for over 50 years.

Founded in 1655 in Fushimi, Kyoto, as a dyeing business, the workshop began producing strings in 1849 during the late Edo period. The 6th-generation head started string production due to the shared use of silk threads in dyeing and string-making, with dyeing also being part of the string production process. Since then, for over 170 years, the craft of string-making has been passed down through ten generations to the current master.

From shamisen, koto, and biwa, to Okinawan sanshin and even Chinese guqin—there is no traditional string instrument whose strings this workshop cannot produce. For shamisen alone, over 200 types of strings exist, each with different thicknesses individually numbered.

String-making begins by soaking raw silk in water for about half a day. While still wet, the silk is twisted counterclockwise in a process called "lower twisting." Next, the threads are bundled and twisted in the opposite direction, known as "upper twisting." Finally, the threads are stretched by hand with full force over half a day to dry. This process gives the strings the elasticity and strength needed to withstand vigorous plucking.

"At first, the threads would dig into my fingers and cut them. Sometimes the thread would catch in the wound again... It’s natural for the skin on your hands to become thick over time."

He speaks casually, but knowing that for 50 years his hands have pulled silk threads with such force, his words carry profound weight.

The workshop uses raw silk from Shiga Prefecture, rich in gelatinous material for strong adhesion and a firm finish. Despite most silk in circulation now being imported, they remain committed to domestically produced silk. However, Japan’s once-thriving silk industry has declined due to aging producers, with fewer silkworm varieties and reduced production. Securing raw materials is becoming increasingly difficult.

"For koto, about 90% of strings today are made from synthetic fibers."

With declining numbers of traditional music performers and the rise of synthetic strings, demand for silk strings has decreased. Yet the 10th-generation artisan does not lament this—he quietly accepts it.

"We don’t string the instruments ourselves. But we take pride in producing strings, always thinking about what comes next."

Consistency in thickness and strength is essential. But silk, being an animal fiber, varies in thickness even when cut to the same length. So each thread is individually weighed and adjusted to ensure uniform quality. This meticulous work builds the trust musicians place in these strings.

"A musician once told me that silk strings are gentle on instruments. That made me truly happy."

They are not merely preserving tradition. They’ve developed colorful strings in pink and light blue for Okinawan sanshin, continuously embracing innovation. Moreover, this workshop is the only one capable of producing strings for gagaku, Japan’s ancient imperial court music. For over a thousand years, the music performed in imperial ceremonies has been sustained by silk strings crafted here.

Before WWII, there were around ten string-makers just in Kyoto. Today, only a handful remain nationwide. In 2015, the workshop was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Property 'Selected Preserved Technique Holder.' The previous generation, the artisan’s father, received the same honor in 1979—making them one of the rare father-son pairs to both hold this distinction.

"As long as we can obtain the raw materials, I want to keep going. That’s what I believe."

Deep within a Kyoto alley, a workshop continues to twist silk into strings, quietly preserving a legacy. Deeper Japan aims to directly connect such cultural custodians with travelers, satisfying global curiosity while supporting the transmission of artisanal skills. This addition of 17 new Kyoto experiences is part of that mission to broaden meaningful encounters.

Introducing the 17 new artisans and cultural practitioners Deeper Japan has partnered with:

New Experience Introductions

Japan’s Sound Woven from Silk

A Kyoto string workshop founded in 1655 and now led by its 10th generation. They handcraft strings from domestic silk for all traditional Japanese instruments—from shamisen and koto to biwa and gagaku instruments. The only workshop capable of producing gagaku strings, the master is a National Intangible Cultural Property holder. Visitors observe the string-making process up close and enjoy tea while conversing with the artisan.

Seeing Buddha in a Block of Wood — A Buddhist Sculptor’s Studio

An artisan inspired to become a Buddhist sculptor after being captivated by a wooden Buddha statue during a middle school field trip. After 20 years of apprenticeship under a Kyoto master, he became independent. Visitors tour his studio and observe the process of carving a Buddha statue from a single block of kaya wood, guided by his vision to embody the spirit of the wood and someday create a national treasure.

Zen and Garden at the 'Rainbow Moss Temple'

A Rinzai Zen temple, a subtemple of Tofuku-ji, renowned for its dry landscape garden 'Hashin-tei' designed by Shigemori Mirei, a master garden designer of the Showa era. Affectionately known as the 'Rainbow Moss Temple,' this program includes a guided temple walk, meditation session, and tea ceremony, all enjoyed while gazing upon a garden woven from moss, stone, and light.

A Father-and-Son Legacy of Bowmaking — The Kyoto Bow Workshop

Japan’s only workshop producing bamboo bows, established in 1534 and continuing for nearly 490 years. Now in its 21st generation, the artisan says, "Just because it’s old doesn’t mean anything. What matters most is what we’re doing now," reflecting a craftsman’s pride that doesn’t rest on tradition alone. Visitors observe the three-year process of crafting high-density bamboo grown in Kyoto’s harsh climate into bows, and even try drawing a bow themselves.

Two Masters of Hand-Painted Kyoto Yuzen

A workshop founded by a husband-and-wife duo: a 'Kyoto Master Craftsman' and Japan’s first female Traditional Artisan ('Kyoto Meiko'). They teach the original hand-painted Yuzen technique, where over ten specialized artisans divide the process from sketching to coloring. Participants learn the craft and try dyeing with a brush themselves.

The Essence of Kyoto Cuisine — The Deep World of Kombu

How did kombu become central to Kyoto’s cuisine despite the city having no coastline? The history traces back to the era of Kitamaebune ships transporting Hokkaido kombu. Under the guidance of a kombu expert, participants explore taste differences by origin and variety, learn dashi preparation, and experience kombu’s role in Kyoto cuisine through all five senses.

Blades That Support Kyoto’s Artisans

Established in 1651 as a Japanese razor forge, operating for about 250 years in front of Rokkaku-dō. They’ve custom-made knives for Nishiki Market chefs, shears for Nishijin weavers, and flower-cutting scissors for ikebana masters—each blade tailored to the user. At the 7th-generation forge, visitors learn the history and techniques of forging and even try hammering out a blade themselves.

Encountering the 'Present Self' Through Zen Meditation