MEET CRAFTSMEN IN JAPAN
Secrets d’Artisans was born from a simple idea: to give you direct access to the artisans of contemporary Japan—their gestures, their stories, their everyday realities.
We want to let you explore an authentic Japan, far from standardized itineraries, fully adapted to your needs.
Each encounter also supports the regions we visit and the skills that have been rooted there for generations.
ENGLISH/FRENCH SPEAKING
GUIDE IN NAGOYA
I’m Julie Baud, a guide specializing in Japanese craftsmanship. Trained in the arts of bookbinding and gilding, I chose the field over the studio: showing Japan through the hands of those who bring it to life.
Since 2012, I’ve been based in the Nagoya region, gradually building trusting relationships with master artisans and workshops that are rarely open to the public. These privileged connections open doors that are usually closed, in a region rich in tradition, little-known, yet central to Japan’s artisanal history.
More than just a guide, I am a storyteller. I blend artisanal expertise, cultural interpretation, and narrative.
My role is to create a space where the artisan and you can truly communicate—even without sharing a language—and where every moment of the day has meaning. Laughter, conversation, anecdotes: it’s this human dimension that leaves a lasting impression on my visitors
IMMERSIVE & BESPOKE EXPERIENCE
Because discovering Japanese craftsmanship cannot be limited to simply visiting a workshop, I create a full itinerary for each request, whether you are a curious traveler or an experienced artisan.
◆ Private meetings with one or more artisans selected according to your interests, taking seasonality and location into account
◆ A hands-on creation or introduction to their techniques
◆ Local visits providing cultural and historical context
◆ Insider addresses (restaurants, cafés, neighborhood shops)
◆ Lively storytelling: anecdotes, insights, humor, and the feeling of being accompanied by a “local friend.” You’ll have the chance to ask all your questions about life in Japan
Every detail is designed so you can simply enjoy: a comfortable pace, smooth transitions, a friendly atmosphere, and that rare sense of truly “living Japan from the inside.”
Give us your interests, and we’ll guide you to artisans who will amaze and enrich your experience of Japan.
THEMES
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Pottery & ceramic painting: Seto, Tokoname, Inuyama, teapots, neriage, bonsai pots…
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Cuisine & fermented products: Matcha, miso, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, sake…
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Kimono & silk arts: Traditional dyeing, yūzen, indigo and shibori, kimono rental…
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Younger generations & women artisans
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Sword forging & metalwork
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Wooden objects, lacquerware, gold & kintsugi
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Religious utensils
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And many more upon request
Sophie (coursdejaponais.com)
« The privilege of meeting these remarkable artisans and trying our hand at their craft, along with Juri’s spontaneity and kindness—she perfectly adapted to our profile and guided us to discover her best hidden spots! »
Claire C.
« An amazing experience that went far beyond my expectations. I just had to explain my background to Julie, and she created a fully tailored program for me.»
Ariel M.
« We didn’t feel like tourists; it was more like spending the day with a friend who lives far away and taking us out for a drink with her friends.»