Washi Papermaking Experience (Horaikan, Obara, Toyota)
What makes this tour special
At the Obara Washi workshop, Horaikan, you pull the paper, add patterns, dry it, and finish a single sheet over several days. Because you don't rush and you work it by hand, it takes on a character no machine can give it. The finished washi becomes a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take home.
Obara is a quiet village among the hills. Through the week you stay at a nearby inn and enjoy hatcho miso, miso katsu and the country cooking of Obara-an. It's a slower kind of time, closer to local life than any resort hotel.
Between days of papermaking, there's a day for sightseeing. Pick from Laguna Gamagori, Inuyama Castle, Magome-juku, Gero Onsen, Lake Hamana and more, whatever suits the day. Seven days that let you have both the craft and the journey.
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Overview
Seven days in Obara, Toyota, spent slowly making washi by hand at the Horaikan workshop. You stay out in the quiet hill country, finish the sheets you pulled yourself, and take them home as a souvenir. There's room for a day or two seeing the sights of the Tokai region too. Airport transfer and an interpreter are included.
A single sheet of washi, pulled by your own hand and finished over several days. That's the shape of this trip, spent at the Horaikan workshop in Obara, Toyota. Obara is a quiet village among the hills, and papermaking is something you can really taste here, air of the place and all. Because you don't rush, because you work it day after day, the sheet ends up with a character no machine could give it.
It isn't only the workshop. There's the stay at an inn near Obara, the hatcho miso and the country cooking of Obara-an, and the sights of the Tokai region — Inuyama Castle, Magome-juku, Gero Onsen. With airport transfer and an interpreter included, you can take it slow and enjoy both the making and the journey, without worrying about language or getting around.
- Great for: anyone who wants to sit with a traditional Japanese craft, taste quiet village life, or take home a souvenir that's truly their own
- Getting around: transfer by rental car, with an interpreter along
- Extra nights: we can arrange them on request — just ask
- Price: it varies with group size, season and itinerary, so please feel free to get in touch
We meet you at the airport and head first to Okazaki — lunch with hatcho miso, then a look around Okazaki Castle. After that we drive to an inn near Obara (Shinano-ya, Juraku-so, Seizan-so and others, arranged around their days off). Dinner, and an early rest.
From 9am to 5pm at the Obara Washi workshop, Horaikan. An interpreter is with you and transfer is included. Lunch is at the local Obara-an. Rather than finishing one sheet in a single go, you work it over several days.
Back at Horaikan for more. As your hands get used to the motion, your own character starts to show in the texture and patterns of the paper. A quiet day of simply being with the work.
We carry the work further — drying, layering, moving toward the finish. The kind of sheet that only comes from taking your time slowly takes shape.
From 8am to 6pm, a day out wherever the mood takes you. Choose from Laguna Gamagori, Inuyama Castle, Magome-juku, Gero Onsen, Lake Hamana and more. A change of pace in the middle of the papermaking.
From 9am to noon, finish your washi at Horaikan and pick out a few souvenirs. From 2pm to 6pm, time to shop. Then on to a hotel near the airport. This is where the tour comes to a close.
We take you from the hotel to the airport. With the washi you pulled yourself in hand, have a safe trip home. We can arrange extra nights if you'd like — just ask.
Frequently asked questions
What does the price include?
The transfer to and from Chubu Centrair Airport, an interpreter with you throughout, the washi papermaking at Horaikan, six nights' accommodation, and the meals listed in the itinerary. Airfare, meals and personal expenses not listed, souvenirs, and any extra nights are not included. The price is per person, tax included, from two people.
Why does the price vary?
It depends on group size, season and itinerary, so the figure shown is a guide. Tell us your plans and we'll quote clearly. The price is per person, tax included, from two people.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. An interpreter is with you throughout — at the Horaikan workshop and on the road — and transfers are by rental car, so you don't have to find your own way around.
Can we add sightseeing or extra nights?
The seven days already include a sightseeing day you choose from places like Inuyama Castle, Magome-juku, Gero Onsen, Laguna Gamagori and Lake Hamana. We can also arrange extra nights on request — just ask.
When do we pay, and what is the cancellation policy?
You reserve now and pay later — nothing is charged until your booking is confirmed. As a multi-day tour, cancellation is free up to 21 days before, and after that a sliding-scale fee applies up to the day of departure.
Which languages do you work in?
English, Japanese and Vietnamese. We're a registered travel agency and reply to enquiries sent by form, chat or email, usually within one business day.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to a set number of days before the tour. After that, a cancellation fee applies on a sliding scale up to the day of departure.
Questions about this tour?
Ask us anything — dates, pickup, group size or what to bring. We're a registered travel agency and reply in English, Japanese or Vietnamese, usually within one business day.
How a sheet of washi comes to be
Photos from our own visits.
Reviews
This experience is brand new, so there are no traveler reviews yet — you could be among the first to try it. We'll share guests' feedback here as it comes in.