Obara Washi Village

Tucked 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.