Register for a Tour
All tours are filled at this time. We offer tours from April through October on Friday afternoons and Saturdays, excluding national holidays.
Please review the tour options below, and email info@nakashimafoundation.org with your tour preference, date availability, and party size to be placed on the waitlist for future openings.
The Nakashima complex, a National Historic Landmark and included on the World Monument Fund Watch List, features architecturally significant and innovative structures built by George Nakashima, a leader in 20th century American design and the American studio craft movement. There are 14 buildings on the property. They combine the International style and Modernist influences with Japanese carpentry traditions.
Guided Tours include stops at the Conoid Studio, Chair Shop, Showroom, Reception House, Arts Building, Lumber Shed, Pole Barn, and Finishing Room. All built on a South-facing slope and landscaped over the years by George Nakashima, the Showroom was built in 1954, the Conoid Studio in 1957, the Arts Building in 1967 and the Reception House in 1975. The Conoid Studio roof is an experimental reinforced concrete shell and the Arts Building roof is a plywood hyperbolic paraboloid shell. There are two other conoidal shells and two hyperbolic paraboloid shells elsewhere on the property, illustrating his skill and fascination with thin-shell construction.
These tours are two hours in length and led by Nakashima family and staff. They are offered on Friday afternoons, 1-3pm, and select Saturday mornings, 10am-12pm. Tickets are $75 per person.
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Self Guided Tours include admission to three buildings on the Nakashima compound: the Showroom, Conoid Studio, and Arts Building, in a one-hour time slot. Volunteers and staff are on hand in each building to provide more information about the building, and answer questions.
Self guided tours are offered on select Saturdays, 1-2pm and 2:30-3:30pm. Tickets are $25 per person.
Legacy Tours are intimate, two-hour tours of the Nakashima property led by Mira Nakashima, daughter of George Nakashima, Creative Director of George Nakashima Woodworkers, and President, Nakashima Foundation for Peace. Tours include stops at Conoid Studio, Chair Shop, Showroom, Reception House, Arts Building, Lumber Shed, Pole Barn and Finishing Room.
Legacy Tours are held on select Saturdays, 10am-12pm. Tickets are $150 per person.
Nakashima: Why? Tours are two-hour intimate tours of the Nakashima property and exploration of Nakashima’s philosophy. The tour is hosted by Jon Yarnall, woodworker, and 50-year member of the Nakashima community.
Our final Nakashima: Why? tour will be on October 12, 10am-12pm. Tickets are $150 per person.
Tour Guidelines
We look forward to welcoming you! Please wear comfortable and easy-to-remove footwear, as the tour includes an outdoor walk of ¾ mile on uneven terrain and grassy hills. We ask that shoes be removed before entering select buildings.
Although we allow outdoor photography for personal use on the property, we ask that you refrain from photography or video recording while inside.
Children must be 12 years and older and accompanied by an adult. All children must have a tour registration.
Guided tours are held rain-or-shine, no refunds.