Kyoto: Japanese Candle Workshop & Temple Art Viewing

Founded in Kyoto in 1887, Nakamura Rousoku is a distinguished maker of traditional Japanese candles, preserving techniques that have been passed down through generations. At its workshop in Fushimi, skilled artisans continue to craft wa-rosoku by hand, using traditional materials such as haze wax and carefully building each candle layer by layer. During your visit, step inside this world of quiet craftsmanship, observe the refined techniques behind these distinctive candles, and experience painting your own Japanese candle under expert guidance.

Hidden within the heart of Kyoto, Hōzōji Temple has a profound connection with Itō Jakuchū, one of the most distinctive painters of the Edo period. The temple preserves works associated with Jakuchū and artists of his circle, offering a rare setting in which to encounter this artistic legacy away from the atmosphere of a conventional museum. After visiting the temple and learning about its history, you will view selected Japanese paintings illuminated by the soft, flickering glow of traditional Japanese candles. In this intimate light, subtle colors, brushwork, shadows, and depth emerge differently, creating a contemplative encounter between painting, flame, and place.