Washi Paper Experience & 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 this authentic Japanese atmosphere that has captivated visitors for centuries.

To make traditional Japanese washi paper, you need very cold, clear water. Ogawa-machi, a region in northwest Saitama Prefecture, has water fulfilling both of these requirements. The Hosokawa paper made here is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and is highly regarded worldwide, having even been used to restore works at the Louvre and the British Museum. The Ogawa-machi 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 carefully curated rice from all over Japan. These ingredients are then combined with the superior talent of the brewers, handed down over generations. 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, sake, koji (fermented culture), and sake kasu (lees). The restaurant building was constructed by renovating and extending a storehouse that was relocated from Niigata Prefecture, another famous sake brewing area of Japan, in the Meiji era. The terrace facing the garden allows diners to admire seasonal Japanese nature while they dine.

The Ogawa-machi Tourist Information Center is named “Musubime,” which comes from a combination of the Japanese words for "connect" and "bud." The center acts as a bridge between 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.