How Much Does Kintsugi Repair Cost? A Guide to Pricing Based on Damage

The typical cost of kintsugi repair ranges from ¥5,000 to around ¥20,000. Small chips or cracks may only cost a few thousand yen, but larger breaks can exceed ¥10,000.

In this article, we explain the price guidelines and factors that affect the cost of kintsugi repair in an easy-to-understand way, even for beginners.

How Much Does Kintsugi Repair Cost?

The cost of having a ceramic vessel repaired with kintsugi varies considerably, ranging from as low as ¥5,000 to around ¥20,000.

Small chips are relatively inexpensive, but larger breaks with multiple pieces or complex cracks require more steps and materials, which increases the cost.

Chips: Approximately ¥5,000–15,000
Cracks: Approximately ¥5,000–10,000
Breaks: Approximately ¥6,000–20,000

Below are the kintsugi repair prices from several shops. This is a brief summary for reference.

Repair Service	Repair Price (Gold Powder Finish)
Tsugu Tsugu	Chips: From ¥3,300 Cracks: From ¥3,300 Breaks: ¥20,900 for 2-piece, 18cm *Varies by number of pieces and crack length
Kintsugi Kurashi	Chips: From ¥20,000 Cracks: From ¥20,000 Breaks: From ¥24,000
Nippon Tenaraido	Breaks (up to 3 pieces): ¥7,700 + ¥770 per cm of finish Chips (up to 5 spots): ¥7,150 + ¥770 per cm of finish

Prices vary depending on the condition and finishing method. We will explain in detail how prices change in the following sections.

Breakdown of Repair Costs and Factors That Affect Pricing

Kintsugi repair costs are typically composed of the following three factors:

Cost based on material and damage condition
Cost based on type of finish
Additional charges for special finishes

Note that even if a website's price list appears inexpensive at first glance, additional costs may apply. To know the actual price, it is best to send photos or bring in your vessel for a quote.

Cost Based on Damage Condition

Most repair services have a minimum fee of around ¥3,000, with additional charges based on the number of broken pieces or the area of chips.

Damage Type	Price Variables	Price Estimate
Chips	Price increases based on the number of chips and total chipped area	From approx. ¥3,000
Cracks	Price increases based on crack length	From approx. ¥3,000
Breaks	Price increases based on number of pieces and break length	From approx. ¥6,000

However, the damage condition alone does not determine the price. The final cost is determined by the length or area of the damage combined with the "finishing material" explained in the next section.

Cost Based on Finishing Material

When people think of kintsugi repair, most imagine a finish using "gold powder" (kinkeshifun), but many repair services offer other finishing options as well.

Finish	Characteristics	Price Estimate per cm
Colored Lacquer	Simple finish, mainly black or red	Free–¥100
Tin	Soft silver-white with a subdued shine	¥100–300
Brass	Warm finish, more yellow than gold	¥200–400
Silver Powder (Matte)	Subdued matte silver finish	¥400–600
Platinum	Elegant white-silver with a rare luster	¥500–700
Gold Powder (Matte)	The most common matte gold finish	¥600–1,000
Silver Powder (Glossy)	Beautiful glossy, luxurious silver finish	¥700–1,000
Gold Powder (Glossy)	Beautiful glossy, luxurious gold finish	¥900–1,500

*The price estimates per cm are reference values we created based on material market prices and various repair service prices. Actual prices may differ.

Additional Charges for Special Finishes

Special finishing methods such as "design finishes" that add decorative elements to damaged areas, or yobitsugi (joining pieces from different vessels) typically incur additional charges.

Additionally, certain types of glaze (the glass-like surface of ceramics) or unusually shaped items may also result in extra fees.

Recommended Kintsugi Repair Services

Kintsugi repairs require the service to see the item in person to provide an accurate quote. Ideally, you would have a local workshop or shop that can handle repairs, but this is not always possible.

Here, we introduce several services that accept kintsugi repairs by mail from anywhere in Japan.

Shikata Kizo Urushi-ten

【Price Estimates】

Chips: From ¥3,000 (within 0.3cm square)
Cracks: From ¥4,000 (2cm or less)
Breaks: From ¥7,800

Shikata Kizo Urushi-ten is a Kyoto lacquer shop that has been refining and selling lacquer since its founding in 1867. You can request a kintsugi repair quote through their web form.

Shikata Kizo Urushi-ten Kintsugi Repair

Tsugu Tsugu

【Price Estimates】

Chips: From ¥3,300 (under 0.5cm)
Cracks: From ¥3,300 (under 6cm)
Breaks: ¥20,900 (2-piece, 18cm)

Tsugu Tsugu is a kintsugi workshop in Tokyo that also accepts repair requests by mail. By sending photos of your vessel in advance, you can get an estimate of the cost.

Tsugu Tsugu Kintsugi Repair

TABITOTE

【Price Estimates】

Chips: From ¥6,600
Cracks: From ¥7,260
Breaks: From ¥9,130

TABITOTE is a web magazine focused on travel and handcraft that also accepts kintsugi commissions. You can get an approximate quote by sending photos via LINE.

TABITOTE Kintsugi Repair

Things to Keep in Mind When Requesting Kintsugi

There are several things to be aware of when requesting kintsugi repair.

Confirm Whether Traditional Urushi Kintsugi Is Used

Today, there is also a method called "simplified kintsugi." Instead of using urushi lacquer for bonding as in traditional kintsugi, this method uses synthetic resin (adhesives, resin, etc.).

Unlike urushi, this method cannot fully guarantee food safety, so if you plan to use the vessel for dining after repair, we recommend choosing "traditional kintsugi."

If the vessel will only be for display after repair, simplified kintsugi should be fine. With simplified kintsugi, you can even repair it yourself using a kit.

Expect to Wait Several Months from Request to Completion

Traditional kintsugi typically takes 1–3 months from request to completion. Depending on temperature and humidity, urushi takes about one month to fully cure. Therefore, expect at least one month for completion.

Note that the long curing time is an inherent property of urushi and not a matter of skill. Repair services with extremely short completion times are likely mixing chemicals with the urushi or using synthetic resin for bonding.

Cannot Be Used in Microwaves or Over Open Flame

Using a kintsugi-repaired vessel in a microwave can cause the metal powder in the finish to react and spark, potentially causing a fire in the worst case.

Additionally, using the vessel over an open flame should be avoided as it can compromise durability.

Deciding Between Repair and Replacement

Kintsugi repairs often cost over ¥10,000. For inexpensive items, buying a new one may be cheaper.

However, kintsugi is not just a repair—it can sometimes create value beyond its cost. By beautifully finishing cracks and chips, a vessel can be transformed into a one-of-a-kind work of art.

This is especially true for vessels with sentimental value. Items received from family or friends, or pieces discovered on a memorable trip, hold a value that can never be replaced by simply buying something new.

Kintsugi is also a way to carry those "memories" into the future.

Repairing It Yourself Is Also an Option

In addition to having a professional repair your vessel, you also have the option to repair it yourself.

Purchase a Kintsugi Kit and Repair It Yourself

Recently, due in part to the kintsugi boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, beginner-friendly "kintsugi kits" have become commercially available.

Kits include all the necessary tools and materials, along with instructions, allowing you to experience traditional kintsugi and repair your vessel at home.

Traditional kintsugi kits cost over ¥10,000 (simplified kintsugi kits are around ¥5,000), but a vessel repaired with your own hands is sure to become something truly special.