Ogawamachi Washi Experience Learning Center
Experience 1,300 Years of Washi Paper History
1H from Tokyo
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.
Each papermaking session is carefully guided by an experienced washi craftsperson. You'll learn the fundamental techniques and use them to craft your own paper by hand, making for an unforgettable travel keepsake.
In the Exhibition Room, visitors can delve into the rich history of Hosokawa paper, designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. With a legacy dating back 1,300 years, washi is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and serves various purposes, including art restoration. Learn the techniques, unchanged for centuries, and see the plant fibers used to make the paper. There are also artworks showcasing the versatility of washi through several creative expressions.
The raw material for washi is the bark of the Japanese paper mulberry, called “kozo” in Japanese. During the harvesting season (late November to January), visitors can observe craftspeople manually peeling and washing the bark at the Ogawamachi Washi Experience Learning Center. You can also see other important processes, such as boiling bark to soften the fibers. If the timing aligns, we highly recommend witnessing these traditions firsthand.
Address
226 Ogawa, Ogawamachi, Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture 355-0321
Access Information
Take the Tobu Tojo Line or JR Hachiko Line to Ogawamachi Station, then walk for 10 minutes.
Phone number
0493-72-7262
Official URL
https://www-town-ogawa-saitama-jp.translate.goog/0000003753.html?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja
Business hours
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Regular holidays and closed days
Tuesdays
Charges
≪Introductory Courses≫
【Course A】
Fee :￥1,500 (paper sourced from local mulberry trees)
Content : Plain mulberry paper (test paper 33 cm×45 cm, 5 sheets)
Note : Completed paper will be sent at a later date (postage separate)
【Course B】
Fee :￥1,000 (paper sourced from local mulberry trees and pulp)
Content : 8 postcards (suitable for decoration as origami, etc.)
Note : Completed paper will be sent at a later date (postage separate)
≪Comprehensive Courses≫
【1-Day Course】
Fee :￥5,000
Content : Classroom lecture (explanation of materials, etc.), plain mulberry paper (5 sheets), papermaking, iron plate drying, etc. (paper sourced from local mulberry trees)
Note : Completed paper can be taken home on the same day. In the case of a small number of applications, you may experience the course with other applicants.
【4-Day Course】
Fee :￥20,000 (generally conducted with a minimum of 3 participants)
Content : Classroom lecture (explanation of materials, etc.), plain mulberry paper (several sheets), large-sized paper (approx. 60 cm×91 cm, 2 sheets), mulberry tree preparation tasks, iron plate drying, etc.
Parking Information
Available (not suitable for large buses)
Tourist route including this experience
Exploring Ogawa-machi’s Culture
5-8H
A Route to Enjoy the Charm of Ogawa-machi, Saitama Prefecture. You can experience the culture of Saitama, local gourmet cuisine, and the allure of traditional washi paper products. The southern part of Ogawa-machi station's city area thrived as the center of town during the Edo period, with surviving buildings such as townhouses, Western-style houses, and warehouses, earning it designation as a "Saitama Prefecture Historical Scenic Model District." From Ikebukuro, you can experience Authentic Japan in just an hour and a half.
Washi Paper & Sake Brewing Tour
5-8H
Discover the hidden charm of Ogawa in northwestern Saitama Prefecture, just a 70-minute train ride from Ikebukuro Station or 40 minutes from Kawagoe. Surrounded by nature-rich mountain villages, Ogawa is known for its pristine underground water, which lends itself to making Hosokawa Paper, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage whose reputation is so great that it is used to restore paintings in the Louvre. This blessed water has also led to a flourishing sake brewing industry, making Ogawa a must-visit for fans of Japanese sake. This itinerary will allow you to experience the art of papermaking at the Ogawamachi Washi Experience Learning Center, and then enjoy a tour and sake tasting at Matsuoka Brewery, one of Ogawa’s top sake breweries.