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Book a Washi Paper Workshop in Shizenji, Shimoina-gun, Chubu
Visit our Washi Studio in Shimoina-gun, Chubu, where you can connect with a living tradition and make Japanese paper the old-fashioned way-using raw materials grown in fallow rice fields and a revival process led by local volunteers. You’ll learn about the paper’s roughly 1,000-year history, its use as official paper in the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period, and how production was once halted by Western paper technology before being restored. At the studio you participate in hands-on paper-making experiences, tour the workshop and see every step from cultivating fibers to crafting and selling finished products, making this an ideal activity for art and culture lovers, families, workshops and group bookings seeking authentic, educational Events in the region. Whether you’re planning a cultural workshop, a sightseeing stop, or a multi-day stay arranged through Varoom, this studio offers immersive, bookable experiences that bring traditional Japanese paper culture to life in Shimoina-gun, Chubu.
About this activity in Shimoina-gun
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Join a hands-on washi paper-making experience at the Washi Studio in Shimoina-gun, Chubu, and learn traditional Japanese paper techniques with guidance from local artisans.
- Explore the full production cycle here - from cultivating raw materials in reclaimed rice fields to creating and purchasing finished washi products.
- Discover a craft with roots stretching back to the Heian and Edo periods, including its historical ties to the Tokugawa shogunate.
- Take a studio tour that blends cultural storytelling with practical demonstration, ideal for families, art lovers, and workshop-focused travelers.
Important Information
- Workshops are interactive and suitable for all ages and most fitness levels; children can participate under supervision, and prams/strollers are manageable on site.
- You can buy locally made washi items produced on-site; the studio emphasizes community-led revival and sustainable material sourcing.
- Public transportation options serve the area and make reaching the studio in Shimoina-gun, Chubu straightforward - check local schedules when planning your visit.
- Advance booking is recommended for hands-on sessions and tours to secure your preferred date and group size.
Meeting Point
Meet at the main entrance of the Washi Studio in Shimoina-gun, Chubu. Look for the studio building on arrival and check in at reception for your workshop or tour.
Includes
- All fees and taxes are included in the price so you know the full cost up front when booking in Shimoina-gun, Chubu
- You won’t find surprise charges later - the total price covers required fees and applicable taxes for your booking here
Excludes
- Private transportation is not included - plan separate transport arrangements if you need private transfers
- If you prefer a private ride, arrange it independently as private transport Services are excluded from this offering in the region
Other
- Wheelchair accessible facilities are provided to support travelers with mobility needs in Shimoina-gun, Chubu
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, making family bookings easier for those visiting the area
- Service animals are allowed to accompany you during your visit
- Public transportation options are available nearby, offering convenient connections around the destination
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible, helping you move around the area with greater ease
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries - please consider this when planning activities in the region
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels, so you can book with confidence regardless of your activity preferences
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 3 Reviews
Summary:
This was a highly educational and fun experience. I imagine it would be particularly interesting and entertaining for families with children, as you get to make your own washi paper. Takuto, the young man who runs the workshop, is almost single-handedly trying to bring back the ancient art of washi paper-making, which originated in Japan in the Shuzenji area. It is a laborious and fascinating process, and he takes you through the steps in his own workshop/factory, culminating in you getting the chance to try your own hand at it. Plus, you will feel good knowing that you are helping to support an artisan as he attempts to revive and retain an aspect of what makes Japanese culture so wonderful.
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Summary:
This was one of the standout memories from our trip to Japan this year. We wanted to get out of the city and explore so we took the train to the Izu peninsula. It was easy to find great food, hikes, and lovely places to stay, but we were still looking for an experience that would make our trip unique.
We were very fortunate to find the Washi paper making experience in Shizenji. Takuto Masuda gave us a wonderful tour of the process and workshop answering all of our silly questions, and then helped us making our own paper to our liking. It's incredible how much craftsmanship goes into this process and extremely rewarding to do it yourself. A few weeks later, a package arrived in the mail from Shizenji with our handmade postcards and we're very proud to mail them to our loved ones this year.
I'd recommend the Washi Workshop experience to absolutely anyone, but especially those that are interested in learning about Japan's history and many craftsman. It's a rare experience to be able to work hand in hand with a modern craftsman like Takuto Masuda and it's not to be missed!
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Summary:
Hand made washi paper is one of Japan's traditional artisanal crafts. Once a thriving part of life on the Izu Peninsula, Shuzenji Gami Washi Workshop is the only shop left. Masuda-san lives the whole process, from growing the mitsumata plants that produce the pulp, to making beautiful and practical products from the finished paper.
If you want a traditional hands on experience where you can feel what it's like to be a Japanese craftsman, join Masuda-san for one of his workshops. His knowledge and passion will leave a lasting impression of your trip to Izu.
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Know more about Shimoina-gun
You’ll connect with a 1,000-year-old Japanese paper tradition at the Washi Studio in Shimoina-gun, Chubu. The studio shows traditional washi production methods, from cultivating raw materials in fallow rice fields to handcrafting and selling finished paper. You can join hands-on paper-making experiences and take guided studio tours that highlight the craft’s history from the Heian period through its revival.
The studio promotes Japanese paper culture by reviving old-fashioned washi-making techniques, cultivating the raw materials locally in fallow rice fields, producing paper by hand, developing products, and offering educational hands-on experiences and studio tours that share the craft’s history and techniques.
The Japanese paper you’ll learn about at the studio traces its roots back roughly 1,000 years, with origins often linked to the Heian period. The studio also highlights the paper’s role during the Edo period, when it was used officially by the Tokugawa shogunate, and how local volunteers later revived its production.
Yes. The studio’s hands-on paper-making workshops are designed to welcome families and kids, letting everyone participate in traditional washi-making steps. The experience is family-friendly and pairs cultural learning with creative activity, making it ideal for multi-generational visitors.
Yes. You can book hands-on paper-making experiences and studio tours through Varoom for the Washi Studio in Shimoina-gun, Chubu. These bookings let you participate in traditional washi workshops and learn about the paper’s history and production cycle.
Yes. The studio is wheelchair accessible and accommodates visitors with service animals; infants and small children can use prams or strollers. Public and wheelchair-accessible transportation options are available nearby, and the workshops are suitable for a wide range of physical fitness levels.
