Washi Paper

You can make traditional Japanese Washi paper from raw materials. Enjoy making a piece of washi paper and designing it using dried, pressed seasonal local flowers and leaves. After drying the paper, you can craft it into a set of postcards, or table-mat, or wraparound lampshade, or tapestry panel. You can proceed with it under the guidance of the instructor, in a relaxing atmosphere. While the paper is dried, you will be able to watch a short video of the traditional paper-making method which has been continued for over one thousand years. Handmade Japanese Washi paper will be the perfect souvenir or gift from Japan!

We offer a hands-on workshop where you can experience handmade washi, a traditional Japanese craft. Tosa Washi, with over 1,000 years of history, is one of Japan’s top three washi papers. Known for its strength and warmth, it’s easy to try and makes for a memorable Asakusa experience—perfect for fans of crafts or Japanese culture. After a short video on Tosa Washi’s history and process, you’ll wear traditional workwear (samue) and make washi postcards with help from a friendly instructor. In both the Plain Paper Plan and Colored Paper Plan, you’ll handcraft four plain postcards. The Colored Paper Plan includes an extra step: layering beautiful Rakusuishi—lace-like decorative washi—on top. You can choose your favorite four colors. The workshop is full of smiles and surprise at the beauty of the finished paper. Take home your handmade washi as a special souvenir.

・Learn about traditional ways of making Tosa washi paper in a washi studio with over 120 years of history. ・See almost all steps of making washi paper presented in details by a 4th generation craftsperson. ・Try your hands at making new washi paper from recycling Tosa washi. ・Choose between making a colorful Tapestry, a paper lamp shade or a paper bag. ・Enjoy the quiet rural area near one of Japan’s clearest water basins: Niyodo River.

Please come and try Traditional Japanese Calligraphy! You can learn a new skill and get some great authentically Japanese Souvenirs to take home! You can experience calligraphy after sightseeing in Kyoto or before dinner, so you can use your time effectively. Check out the video below for an example of the class, and make a reservation ASAP! (*English Instruction Included) We also have activities for young children, so please bring them along! *Due to popular demand, we have increased the number of time slots for the experience! You can now choose from 4:00PM, 5:00PM, 6:00PM, and 7:00PM. Other times also possible. Please ask!* Souvenirs you will recieve for taking part in our class (included in the cost): 1. Your name written on calligraphy paper in kanji, hiragana, or katakana 2. A folding fan with your favorite word or name written on it 3. A postcard with your favorite word or name written on it & 4. A gift envelope OR 5. A photo frame *Please choose one.

Plan A (Duration : 60-90 mins) – Premium option including a full-size "Rakusui paper" You will be making 4 pcs of washi postcards and 1 pc of full-size "Rakusui paper". "Rakusui" literally means "dripping water" in Japanese. Different from the standard washi papers, the unique look of "Rakusui paper" features small holes on the surface as a result of applying water in the making process. It has a distinctive and captivating texture when seen through the light. Plan B (Duration : 45-60 mins) You will be making 4 pcs of washi postcards with colored papers of your choice. In addition to the washi making process, you will also experience an additional process of adhering colored Japanese papers to the white washi papers that you just made. This process will add more color and patterns to your washi postcards and there are over 100 variations of colored papers for you to choose from. Plan C(Duration : 30-40 minutes) Washi postcard-making experience without colored Rakusui paper (4 pcs)

Create your own one-of-a-kind souvenir here at KUROMAMEDO, and give life to Japanese traditions! KUROMAMEDO is located in Shinjuku, and it’s a few minutes away from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden . We aim to make foreign travellers feel free while exploring Japan. We have a variety of activities! We serve a selection of seasonal Japanese teas and snacks. At KUROMAMEDO you can experience various activities, such as making a DARUMA doll using your favorite WASHI paper, crafting MIZUHIKI charms or accessories ,creating MAIKO bookmarks, Tsumami-Zaiku,and many more. There is also the option to purchase already crafted souvenirs in the store. let's create and have fun!

Visit Japan’s Imperial Palace, the home of the Emperor & the ground of the former Shogun's castle, the political center of Japan until the mid-19th century. Then explore the commercial district of Nihonbashi, with many long-standing businesses for over 400 years. *Reminder: – Do note that we cannot visit the Imperial Palace as this is off-limit for guests. Instead, we will visit the ground of the former Shogun's castle. Highlights of this tour: ◆ Palace's East Gardens and see beautiful seasonal flowers and the ground of former Shogun's castle. ◆ Stroll around Nihonbashi, major commercial district in Tokyo for over 400 years ◆ Try delicious dashi soup stock shop with 300-year old history ◆ Take a lookt at Japanese seaweed being roasted ◆ Try Japanese knife sharpening by yourself. ◆ Visit a century-old washi shop, and see traditional Japanese paper. ◆ Taste a variety of sake at Toyama-kan prefectural store

1. Postcards made with Ise Katagami paper “Ise Katagami” artisans carve over 900 intricate patterns on a one-inch space of durable washi paper for kimono stencil dyeing In this session, you’ll use a katagami stencil by craftsperson Chiaki Imasaka for postcard stencil dyeing 2. Mizuhiki-style money envelope Learn the art of creating Mizuhiki-style money envelopes, traditional Japanese decorative cords used for special occasions. Mizuhiki bookmark 3. Learn the art of Mizuhiki, a traditional Japanese craft used for celebratory envelopes and gifts, which involves coloring and winding silk thread around a core. 4. Craft Mini Clasp Purses Create mini-sized clasp purses and coin cases with traditional Japanese fabric and washi paper, perfect for use as accessory cases.

In the workshop, participants will make their own original notebooks using Japanese traditional crafts "Washi" and "Mizuhiki". The following experiences are available ・Washi Notebook Making Experience: Choose your favorite Washi paper and make an A6(105 x 148.5 mm / 4.1 x 5.8 inches). size notebook with a cover. The finished size is 120 x 170 mm (4.8 x 6.7 inches) . ・Mizuhiki knotting experience: Make a notebook belt and bookmark while learning the 3 knots. Mizuhiki is a traditional paper string that has been used for about 680 years. This is still an essential part of the wedding and funeral ceremonies in Japan today. Guided by expert instructors, you’ll create beautiful and meaningful keepsakes, choosing from a vibrant array of colors and designs. Immerse in the elegance of washi, crafting not just a notebook but embracing a piece of traditional Japanese culture.

【Authentic Cultural Immersion】 Experience the real Japan beyond the big cities. Engage with local traditions and craftsmanship firsthand. 【Scenic Beauty and Relaxation】 Glide through Yanagawa's picturesque canals, known as the "Venice of Japan" and enjoy breathtaking views of lush tea fields in Yame. Capture Instagram-worthy moments at every stop from serene river scenes to vast tea plantations. 【Hands-on Experiences】 Try your hand at making traditional Yame washi paper and learn about tea production from expert local artisans. Experience parts of Japan many tourists never see. 【Culinary Delights】 Savor a delicious local lunch in historic Yanagawa and taste some of Japan's finest green tea at its source.

Deep in the mountains of Japan lies the quaint villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, with their beautifully preserved gassho-style houses. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the buildings are over 250 years old, gives a glimpse into the ways of Japanese traditional farming communities. On the way from Kanazawa to those stunning sites, there are other historic towns such as the woodcarvers of Inami. Being far from the large cities of Tokyo and Osaka, enjoy walking through a town which continues its tradition of woodcarving to this day. On the shops, in the temples and on signs are beautiful examples of this living history. The entire region was once home to many different kinds of local crafts, such as Japanese style paper making, an activity that you can do on this tour. Enjoy a day long bus tour from Kanazawa where you can see expert wood carving, try your hand at paper making and see the UNESCO World Heritage sites Shirakawa-go and Gokayama traditional homes.

Visit the authentic washi making factory of RYOZO Yanase Paper Mill and get a deeper look into the world of washi making. The owners, Mr. and Ms. Yanase have years of experience and will give you knowledgeable instructions. Guests will get to tour the washi factory where they make paper fit for commercials products such as packaging for Japanese sweets. It is a rare opportunity to see such a factory. Afterwards with the instructions of Ms. Yanase, a traditional craftsman, guests will make a washi piece that is perfect as a tapestry. It is made using traditional techniques so it is a chance to experience authentic washi making.

Please come and try Traditional Japanese Calligraphy! You can learn a new skill and get some great authentically Japanese Souvenirs to take home! Check out the video below for an example of the class, and make a reservation ASAP! (*English Instruction Included)

Create an art piece that can decorate your room with a gentle light! In this workshop, you will create An Origami lamp and Mizuhiki knot belt. LED light passes through washi paper, gently lighting up the space with a very soft light. It brings pressure to both the eyes and the heart. You will fold and glue several sheets of handmade washi paper in a bellows-like manner. Inserting a small lamp inside the bellows-like washi paper, the ramp shines with gentle and warm light. Additionally, you will create a mizuhiki knot ornament for the belt. At the end of the session, we offer Japanese sweets with "Japanese paper tea" that is not offered elsewhere. Enjoy the beauty and potential of washi paper by making your art piece. Please be informed that this workshop requires detailed skills that may not be suitable for young children. If you are looking for a family activity, we recommend "Private Workshop to Create Paper Last for 1,000 years in Ueno".

Experience a unique and heartfelt celebration of love and friendship in Tokyo with our romantic Mizuhiki Knot and Omikuji Washi Charm Workshop. Mizuhiki is a traditional paper string that has been used for about 680 years in Japan. Unlike typical sightseeing tours, this intimate and personalized activity offers you and your loved one the chance to connect on a deeper level while exploring Japanese culture. Guided by expert instructors, you’ll create beautiful and meaningful keepsakes, choosing from a vibrant array of colors and designs. It's a perfect opportunity to bond, create lasting memories, and take home a special reminder of your unique connection. Book now for an unforgettable experience that's as special and unique as your relationship. It is a time for couples, parents and children, and friends to bond with each other.

Our Washi Studio connects its history and produces Japanese paper the old-fashioned way.The origin of this paper is not certain, but one theory is that it has been made since the Heian period (794–1185) and has a history spanning approximately 1,000 years. In the Edo period (1603–1867),Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of this period, used this paper as the official paper of the Tokugawa shogunate. Production of this paper was once discontinued due to the Western paper technology, but it was revived by local volunteers. We cultivate raw materials for the paper while utilizing fallow rice fields. And we consequently use the raw materials to manufacture the paper, developing and selling the products throughout the process.We also actively promote Japanese paper culture by offering hands-on paper-making experiences and studio tours.

The location of the event is very convenient, with both JR and Kintetsu lines running through the area. It is also easily accessible from Umeda and Namba, and can be reached in about 30 minutes. There is a large library in front of the venue, a famous sandwich shop, a Chinese restaurant, and an ice cream shop nearby. You will be able to fully experience the beauty of Japanese yuzen washi paper. Choose your favorite one from a variety of colorful yuzen washi. Weave your own original kimono. Japanese instructors, who are usually active as English conversation teachers, will teach you carefully and slowly, so beginners don't worry. Two types of kimono works are available for you to fold. Folded works can be framed and made into wall art or pasted on a backing paper to make greeting cards. (*Frames are sold separately.)

Please make a reservation before visiting. Lessons are by reservation only. You can experience Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese calligraphy. After practicing on special washi paper made in Japan, we write on two types of fine hanging scrolls. You can take all the works you have written home with you. Hanging scrolls make great gifts for friends, family, and other important people. A Japanese calligraphy instructor will teach you calligraphy.

・Learn about traditional ways of making Tosa washi paper in a washi studio with over 120 years of history. ・See almost all steps of making washi paper presented in details by a 4th generation craftsperson. ・Try your hands at making new washi paper from recycling Tosa washi. ・Choose between making a colorful Tapestry, a paper lamp shade or a paper bag. ・Enjoy the quiet rural area near one of Japan’s clearest water basins: Niyodo River.

Get away from the tourist crowds in the center of Arashiyama and admire the true beauty of the area. Meet your guide in front of the ticket gate of Saga Arashiyama station and head to the iconic Togetsu Bridge. Admire the bridge and then head to the observatory of Arashiyama Park. Take a picture in front of the bamboo forest and then head to Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple with a collection of 1200 unique and whimsical statues. Continue to Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple with 8,000 stone images and pagodas. On the way to Seiryoji Temple, go through the streets of Saga Toriimoto. Admire the street view filled with traditional Japanese houses and visit some local shops including a cocoon dolls shop and Washi paper shop. Along the way, learn the history of Okusaga and Arashiyama from your guide. Finally, finish your tour at Saga Arashiyama station.