Obara Washi Village
A quiet craft village in the hills of northern Toyota, known for handmade Obara washi paper and "washi art" — and for the rare four-season cherry that blooms alongside the autumn maples each November.
Plan your visitTucked into the hills of northern Toyota City, the Obara district is a quiet corner of Aichi known for two things: traditional Obara washi (handmade paper) and the rare shiki-zakura, the "four-season cherry" that blooms in autumn as well as spring. It makes for a calm, unhurried half-day away from the city.
Obara washi & washi art
Obara's paper is made by hand from kozo (paper-mulberry), in a tradition carried on by local makers. In the 20th century, inspired by the artist Fujii Tatsukichi, they developed "washi art" (和紙工芸) — pictures created with dyed paper pulp rather than ink or paint. Framed washi artworks are on display, and the craft has a depth that rewards a closer look.
Make your own sheet of paper
At the Washi no Furusato ("Home of Washi") facility, there is a washi-art museum and a papermaking workshop where visitors can make their own sheet of washi. It is a simple, hands-on experience and a lovely souvenir to carry home — available year-round.
The rare autumn cherry blossom
Obara's shiki-zakura bloom twice a year, and their autumn flowering — from late October to early December — overlaps with the maple foliage. The result is something you can rarely see: cherry blossoms and red autumn leaves together. The Obara Shikizakura Festival is held in November, which is the best time to visit.
A working atelier in a historic farmhouse
For those who would like to go deeper, we can arrange a visit to a working atelier set in a historic farmhouse — around 300 years old — where you can see washi artworks up close, in the kind of setting where the craft has long been made.
Please note: the Washi no Furusato facility has its own opening hours, fees and scheduled closed days. Please check the official site before visiting, and plan November carefully, as the festival period can be busy.
Make it part of your trip
Obara is rural, and a car or guided tour is recommended — it lies roughly 60–75 minutes from Nagoya. We can arrange door-to-door transport and an English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide, and combine the village with the shiki-zakura in season. Tell us your dates and we'll plan it around you.
In pictures
Close-up of translucent, textured handmade washi set into sliding panels.
A large sheet of fibrous washi over a window, the hillside glowing through it.
A tatami exhibition room hung with framed Obara washi artworks.
A framed washi artwork in soft blues and whites, displayed on an easel.
A two-panel folding screen of vivid red and silver washi art.
The atelier garden, with a stone lantern and clipped shrubs facing the hills.
Highlights
Obara washi & washi art
Paper made by hand from kozo (paper-mulberry). In the 20th century, inspired by the artist Fujii Tatsukichi, local makers developed "washi art" (和紙工芸) — pictures created with dyed paper pulp. Framed works are on display to admire.
Papermaking experience
At the Washi no Furusato facility you can try making your own sheet of washi in the workshop — a hands-on souvenir to take home. Available year-round.
Autumn shiki-zakura with foliage
Thousands of rare shiki-zakura ("four-season cherry") bloom twice a year. Their autumn bloom (late October to early December) overlaps the maple colour, so in November you can rarely see cherry blossoms and red leaves together.
A historic farmhouse atelier
We can arrange a visit to a working atelier set in a historic farmhouse, around 300 years old, where you can see washi artworks up close in their original setting.
A quiet rural setting
Obara lies in the hills of northern Toyota, away from the crowds — a calm half-day in the countryside.
A suggested route
- 1
Washi-art museum
Begin with the framed washi artworks at the Washi no Furusato facility to understand the craft.
- 2
Papermaking workshop
Try making your own sheet of washi in the hands-on workshop.
- 3
Shiki-zakura viewing
In November, walk among the rare four-season cherry trees blooming alongside the autumn maples.
- 4
Farmhouse atelier visit
Visit a working atelier in a historic farmhouse to see washi artworks up close (arranged on request).
Best time to visit
November is the special time, when the shiki-zakura bloom together with the autumn maples — a sight that is hard to find elsewhere. The papermaking experience is available year-round. Obara is rural, so a car or guided tour is recommended.
Getting there
- NagoyaRoughly 60–75 minutes by car. Obara is rural, so a car or guided tour is recommended.
- By guided tourWe can arrange door-to-door transport and a guide so you can enjoy the village without driving.
Plan your visit
Want to include this in a guided day with transport and an English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide? Tell us your dates and we’ll build it around you.