Washi Paper & Sake Brewing Tour

Explore the timeless charm of Ogawa, a town steeped in history. Wander through its well-preserved streets, adorned with antique townhouses, retro Western-style buildings, and old warehouses. Take a leisurely stroll and soak in an authentic Japanese atmosphere that has captivated visitors for centuries.

To make traditional Japanese washi paper, you need harsh cold and clear water. Ogawamachi, in northwest Saitama Prefecture, is a region that has both of these conditions. The Hosokawa paper made here is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and is highly regarded worldwide, having even been used to restore the Louvre and the British Museum. The Ogawamachi Washi Experience Learning Center is a historical building constructed in 1936 for the study of washi paper, and is a place where craftspeople can learn and practice papermaking. Visitors can also observe and experience the washi-making process, ranging from simple introductory courses to a comprehensive four-day experience. *Reservations are required for experiences. Brochures in English and Chinese are available, but staff explanations are in Japanese only, so if you need an interpreter, please contact the Saitama Tourism Support Desk.

The taste of sake depends on many factors, and Matsuoka Brewery's Mikadomatsu sake largely depends on two vital ingredients: the mineral-rich natural water of Ogawa-machi, which is perfectly suited for sake brewing; and rice carefully curated from all over Japan. This is combined with the superior talent handed down over generations of brewers. On this brewery tour, you can observe the meticulous sake-making process and taste the aromatic and delicious brews of Matsuoka Brewery. *Children can instead enjoy the high-quality mineral-rich water used to brew sake, drawn from 130 meters underground.

Shofuan is a restaurant with a menu centered around the land and culture of Ogawa, using ingredients like high-quality underground natural brewing water, along with sake, koji, and sake lees. The restaurant building was constructed by renovating and extending a storehouse that was relocated in the Meiji era from Niigata, another famous sake brewing area of Japan. The terrace facing the garden allows diners to admire seasonal Japanese nature while they dine.

The Ogawamachi Tourist Information Center is named “Musubime,” which comes from a combination of the Japanese words for "connect" and "bud." It acts as a bridge between outsiders like tourists and the heart of Ogawa, harmonizing the town's past, present, and future, and embodies the hope that these connections flourish into something significant. Here, visitors can access local information, stay updated on events, and purchase souvenirs and locally grown organic vegetables. It also supports those who have moved into town, hosts workshops, and serves as a promotional hub for the town. The building itself, constructed roughly 90 years ago, exudes a nostalgic charm infused with the town's rich history.