Two luxurious days of ring making and a private stay just for you

In the nature-rich town of Sakuho in Nagano Prefecture, this special two-day experience invites you to create a one-of-a-kind ring while staying at Furukusa, a private accommodation that hosts only one group per day.

During the workshop, you will try several techniques normally handled by professional jewelers. As you shape the ring together, you will also engrave a message that makes the piece uniquely yours.In the evening, relax at a beautifully restored kura, a traditional Japanese earthen storehouse converted into a private rental. Surrounded by the quiet countryside, you can enjoy a peaceful night away from the bustle of everyday life.

Make jewelry side by side, meet local artisans, and spend the night in an elegant private retreat. This experience is perfect for wedding rings, anniversaries, or a meaningful gift to yourselves.

Experience Highlights

• Create your own ring with guidance from skilled local artisans
• Try professional jewelry-making techniques rarely available to visitors
• Stay overnight in a beautifully restored traditional storehouse
• Meet local craftspeople and experience life in rural Nagano
• Celebrate a special occasion such as an anniversary or engagement

Meet your Host
The Team at GURURITO

Taku Hirano, Miki Hirano, Neori Ishihara, and Takashi Fujimori.
The jewelry studio GURURITO sits at the foot of the Kita-Yatsugatake Mountains in Sakuho. The studio was opened by three artisans who came together through a series of chance connections. Their workshop occupies the former Asakawa Clothing Store, a shop that was long loved by the local community. Instead of furnishing the space with new items, the team gathered tools and furniture passed down by local residents. They restored these pieces and built the workshop with their own hands, creating a warm space filled with history and personal stories.

At the center of the studio is a large irori, a traditional Japanese sunken hearth once used for cooking and as a place where family and guests would gather in rural homes. Working around the irori creates a calm and reflective atmosphere that makes the crafting experience feel extra special. GURURITO’s philosophy is built on the ideas of connection, circulation, and transformation. The team hopes that visitors will feel these connections through the experience of creating something with their own hands.

GURURITO Staff
Taku Hirano

After graduating from a jewelry vocational school, Taku spent more than ten years refining his skills as a craftsman. His work focuses on a distinctive technique inherited from Hiroshi Fujimori, combining iron with precious metals. He is particularly interested in creating a sense of softness within hard materials.

Miki Hirano

Miki studied metal engraving in Florence, Italy, from 2015 to 2016. Drawing on traditional Italian techniques, she creates delicate jewelry inspired by nature. Her specialties include welding and Western-style engraving.

Takashi Fujimori

Takashi studied jewelry design and production at a contemporary jewelry school in Florence. His work features sculptural forms that appear almost carved out of space. He has received awards in Japan and abroad, including recognition at the Japan Jewelry Design Awards.

Neori Ishihara

After graduating from the Yamanashi Jewelry Art Institute, Neori joined GURURITO in 2025. Holding several professional certifications, including Level 2 Skilled Craftsman for Precious Metal Jewelry Production, she draws inspiration from Sakuho’s natural surroundings to create warm, wearable jewelry designed to feel close to the person who wears it.

Experience Details

Day 1

Orientation

When you arrive at the workshop, you will immediately notice the warmth of the wooden interior and the presence of traditional metalworking tools that give GURURITO its distinctive atmosphere. The experience begins with a welcome from the artisans and brief introductions. This relaxed start helps everyone feel comfortable before beginning the ring-making process.

Designing Your Ring

The first step is deciding what kind of ring you would like to make.
You will look at sample rings created by the artisans and choose details such as the width, metal, surface texture, and engraving. You can also sketch out your ideas as you refine your design. The artisans will help guide you through the options and shape your ideas into a design that feels right for you.

Preparing the Metal

Once your design is decided, you will begin working with the metal that will become your ring. The metal is cut to length and the edges are carefully filed smooth, preparing the piece for shaping.

Engraving Your Message

Next, you will engrave a message on the inside of the ring. Choose from letters, numbers, or symbols and practice stamping them before making the final engraving. With each gentle tap of the tool, your chosen characters are permanently marked into the metal.

Annealing

Before shaping the ring, the metal is heated with a torch to soften it. As the color of the metal changes in the flame, it becomes easier to shape, an essential step in traditional metalworking.

Shaping the Ring

Using a wooden mallet and a ring mandrel, you gradually bend the metal into a circular form. With each careful strike, the straight strip slowly takes on the shape of a ring.

Day 2

Soldering

Next, the two ends of the metal are joined through soldering. Watching the metal fuse together in the flame is a memorable moment, as this is when the piece truly becomes a ring.

Adding Surface Texture

You will then add the surface finish. Using hammers or specialized tools, you can create patterns and textures on the metal. The angle and strength of each strike produce different effects, making each ring completely unique.

Polishing and Finishing

In the final stage, the ring is polished using a leutor, a small rotary polishing tool. By applying several polishing compounds, the surface gradually becomes smoother and brighter until the ring shines beautifully.

Completion

After a final cleaning, your ring is complete. The finished piece carries the memories of your time in Sakuho and the experience of creating it together. The workshop ends with a commemorative photo as you wear your new ring.

About the Handmade Silver Rings
Participants will create a Silver 925 ring using authentic metalworking techniques.
You will experience every step of the process, including:
• engraving letters or symbols
• soldering using heat
• choosing from seven different surface finishes
Because you can try on the ring as you work, the final piece will fit perfectly.
An artisan will work alongside you throughout the workshop to ensure a beautifully finished ring. They will be happy to assist at any stage if needed. Children in elementary school and older are also welcome to participate. Artisans will provide support throughout the experience.

Accommodation: Private Storehouse Stay

Experiential Accommodation: Furukusa

Your accommodation is Furukusa, located about a 15-minute walk from GURURITO.
This unique lodging is a traditional earthen storehouse (kura) that is more than 150 years old. The building has been carefully relocated and restored as a private rental property.

Here you can experience traditional aspects of rural Japanese life, including:
• Indigo dyeing (aizome), a traditional natural dyeing technique
• Kamado, a traditional Japanese cooking stove
• Goemon-buro, a deep iron bath heated from below with firewood
• A wood-fired sauna Because the property hosts only one group per day, you can enjoy a peaceful and private stay surrounded by the seasonal beauty of the countryside.

Meals
Meals are self-catered during your stay.
The following items are provided:
• Locally produced rice (1 cup per person)
• One 720 ml bottle of Japanese sake
• Apple juice Guests are free to prepare meals and dine at their own pace

Optional Indigo Dyeing Experience

Guests staying at the accommodation can also take part in an indigo dyeing experience.

Each participant may dye one handkerchief free of charge.

If you would like to dye additional handkerchiefs or bring your own materials such as fabric or thread (natural materials only), an additional fee will apply.

Schedule note:
If you choose to participate, the indigo dyeing experience will take place on the morning of Day 2. In that case, the ring workshop will begin at 1:30 PM and finish around 4:00 PM.

Accommodation Amenities

• Bath towels / face towels / bath mat
• Indoor loungewear
• Shampoo / conditioner / body soap / hand soap
• Hair dryer
• Indoor slippers / sandals

Kitchen Equipment

• Full set of cooking utensils
• Pots / rice-cooking pot / clay pot for IH stove
• Frying pan
• Electric kettle
• Microwave oven
• Toaster oven

Tableware

• Cutlery and tableware
• Coffee cups
• Coffee server with stainless steel filter
• Wine glasses
• Lacquer tableware

Other

• Charcoal grill (shichirin) with charcoal
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, sugar, soy sauce)
• Cooking oil
• Coffee, tea, and green tea

Facilities

• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth speaker
• Flashlight
• Basic first-aid kit
• Bicycles and helmets

Schedule
Day 1

Day 2

Schedule times are approximate and may change depending on the pace of the workshop.

Travel Details (Terms & Conditions)