Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Click on a question to access its answer:
1. Where do the tours take place?
Do you offer tours only in Nagoya, or also in Kyoto or other regions?
2. How do the tours work and how does personalization operate?
Why are there no predefined itineraries on the website?
What is included and not included in the price?
3. Accessibility, specific needs and accepted audiences
Can you adapt to specific requirements?
Families, LGBT, mobility, neurodivergence, allergies, vegan or halal needs, etc.
What is the minimum and maximum number of participants?
4. Languages and interactions with artisans
In which language are the tours conducted?
5. Booking and timelines
How does the initial contact and booking process work?
How far in advance should I book?
What is your average response time?
6. Payment, invoicing and partners
How does payment work?
Can I pay in installments?
Do you work with travel agencies or travel planners?
7. Cancellations, changes and unforeseen circumstances
What happens in the event of a change to the program?
What are the cancellation and refund conditions?
8. Safety
Do I need travel insurance?
Are there any specific risks or conditions for certain workshops?
1. Where do the tours take place?
Do you offer tours only in Nagoya, or also in Kyoto and other regions?
We deliberately focus our tours in the Nagoya region, namely Aichi, Gifu and Gujō. This is the area where we have lived the longest and where we have built a strong and reliable network of artisans. This allows us to guarantee authentic encounters, manage logistical uncertainties effectively, and offer a level of quality that we would not be able to ensure elsewhere.
This region offers an impressive diversity of traditional crafts, and we are almost certain that within our network we can find a passionate artisan whose work will match your interests and curiosity.
This choice is also a deliberate commitment. The region remains relatively little known and deserves greater visibility, unlike saturated destinations such as Kyoto or Tokyo. Our work helps support local workshops that have fewer opportunities to gain exposure.
That said, if your craft-focused itinerary is already defined in another region of Japan, we can intervene as specialist guide-interpreters, provided that the program and the artisans involved are established in advance.
However, we do not offer accompaniment services for more than two consecutive days.
2. How do the tours work and how does personalization operate?
Why are there no predefined itineraries on the website?
We deliberately do not offer any predefined itineraries. Each visit is designed entirely on a bespoke basis, after discussing your interests, your pace, and the level of depth you wish to have in the encounters.
Japanese craftsmanship is extremely diverse, and each workshop operates differently. Imposing a standard format would mean missing the realities on the ground and the actual possibilities available at a given time.
Each program is adapted by taking into account your areas of curiosity, whether technical processes, materials, or access to workshops that may or may not be open to the public, as well as the availability of artisans, seasonality and local events, and the overall coherence between your personality, your budget and the nature of the visit.
In practical terms, we always build a unique itinerary, which is validated together before payment. This is how we ensure an authentic experience that is fully controlled and aligned with your expectations.
3.Accessibility, specific needs and accepted audiences
Can you adapt to specific requirements or special needs?
Yes, adaptation is an integral part of the way we work. Depending on your needs, we adjust the itinerary, logistics and pace to ensure an experience that is comfortable, realistic and well managed.
LGBT and secular approach
Your gender, gender expression, religion, clothing style or sexual orientation are never criteria for us. We are LGBT allies and firmly secular. If you require specific arrangements such as access to gender neutral restrooms, prayer spaces, breaks or recovery time, simply let us know and we will adapt accordingly.
Dietary requirements including vegan, halal and allergies
Some destinations offer excellent restaurants that meet these requirements. When this is not possible on site, we discuss alternatives in advance, such as pre ordered meals, eating at a different restaurant, or traveling to a more suitable location. Additional costs may apply depending on the solution chosen.
Neurodivergence including ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, anxiety and sensory sensitivity
We adapt the visit according to the level of constraint required. This may include private transportation, quieter locations, more frequent breaks, shorter visit durations, and a highly predictable program. As the founder herself lives with chronic anxiety and ADHD, we are particularly attentive to these needs, especially stress management, pacing and sensory load.
Reduced mobility and physical disabilities
Some workshops are wheelchair accessible, offer adapted restroom facilities, or can be visited without stairs. It is also possible to arrange adapted transportation such as a wheelchair accessible van, depending on the level of assistance required.
Other accessibility needs including visual, auditory or communication related requirements
Please contact us with a detailed description of your needs. This allows us to design the itinerary in a careful and realistic manner.
Are the tours suitable for children and families?
Some visits are suitable, but artisan workshops, unlike cultural centers, are often small, cluttered spaces and may contain sharp or fragile tools. For safety reasons, please inform us in advance of your children’s age and temperament so that we can propose an activity that is enjoyable and appropriate for everyone.
Minimum and maximum number of participants
The minimum number of participants is one person. The maximum is five people. Beyond this number, the quality of interaction with the artisan decreases, logistics become more complex, and some workshops simply cannot accommodate larger groups. Larger groups are handled on a case by case basis.
4. Languages and interactions with artisans
Our guides are fluent in French, English and Japanese, allowing for smooth and natural communication throughout the visit.
Most artisans speak only Japanese, but this is not an obstacle. We provide continuous interpretation so that you can ask questions freely and enjoy a genuine, meaningful exchange.
5. Booking and timelines
How does the initial contact and booking process work?
Initial contact
You can contact us by sending a request via the booking form on the website or by email. Please include your preferred dates, the number of participants, your areas of interest, and any specific requirements such as dietary needs, mobility considerations or children.
Discussion and customization
Once we receive your request, we discuss the bespoke program together, including potential workshops and logistical options, and we then send one or more tailored proposals.
Confirmation and payment
After the program has been validated, we send a secure payment link via Stripe. The booking is only confirmed once payment has been received.
How far in advance should I book, and what is the response time?
To ensure the availability of both artisans and the guide, we recommend booking at least two to three months in advance. We usually reply within one week. However, depending on the season and the volume of requests, particularly as we operate on a part time basis, responses may occasionally take a little longer. Please feel free to follow up if needed.
6. Payment, invoicing and partners
We use Stripe to manage payments, allowing you to pay for your visit by credit card, Apple Pay and other secure payment methods using 3D Secure authentication, which is also in force in Japan.
Payment in installments may be considered depending on the total amount and the situation. Please contact us to discuss this option.
We can also issue an official invoice using the billing details you provide.
Do you work with travel agencies or travel planners?
We collaborate with several agencies and independent travel planners specializing in Japan, including the following.
Travel agencies
Voyageurs du Monde
Arigato Travel
Comptoir des Voyages
Au fil du Japon
Independent travel planners
Les Voyages de Nekomi, specializing in off the beaten path travel in Japan
Kokoro Voyages, focusing on accessible travel in Japan
Agoradventure, specializing in culinary and gourmet experiences
Feel free to request our services through these partners to add an artisanal dimension to your trip to Japan.
7. Cancellations, changes and unforeseen circumstances
What happens in the event of a schedule change, cancellation, bad weather or unforeseen issues on the artisan’s side?
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and we always do our best to adapt the visits accordingly.
In the event of a schedule change or delay, any modification must be reported as early as possible. We will make every effort to adjust the itinerary based on the availability of the artisans and the guide. Additional fees may apply depending on the situation.
In the event of cancellation by Secrets d’Artisans Japonais, due to force majeure such as illness, accident, severe weather, workshop closure, earthquake or similar circumstances, you will be informed as soon as possible. The visit may then be carried out by a partner guide, postponed, adapted, or fully refunded, subject to your confirmation.
In the event of cancellation by the client, the following conditions apply. A full refund is granted up to thirty days before the visit.
- Between thirty and seven days before the visit, eighty five percent of the amount is refunded.
- Between seven days and forty eight hours before the visit, fifty percent is refunded.
- Less than forty eight hours before the visit, or in the event of no show, no refund is issued.
For full details and specific conditions, please refer to our complete General Terms and Conditions of Sale available on our website.
8. Safety
Do I need travel insurance, and are there any specific risks or conditions for certain workshops?
We always recommend taking out travel insurance covering accidents, illness and cancellations. Payment by credit card may provide limited coverage depending on the card issuer, but this does not replace comprehensive travel insurance.
Some craft activities may involve minor risks related to tools, materials or the working environment, such as workshops using sharp instruments, kilns or pottery equipment. These risks are kept to a minimum through the supervision of the artisans and the guide, but participants are required to follow all safety instructions.
For any specific situations, such as allergies, reduced mobility or pregnancy, please inform us in advance so that we can adapt the visit under safe conditions.
Secrets d’Artisans Japonais cannot be held liable for any physical injury or material damage that may occur during visits or workshops.
