Kyoto; Traditional Japanese Washi Papermaking
Recommended by 100% of travelers
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Kyoto, Japan
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Take a break from sightseeing and enjoy an immersive cultural experience with this small-group washi papermaking class in Kyoto. Enjoy designing paper using seasonal pressed flowers and leaves. Make a set of postcards, a table-mat, wraparound lampshade, or tapestry panel. Learn a new skill, and bring home a unique handmade souvenir.
- Learn to make traditional washi paper from raw materials in Kyoto
- Use cherry blossoms, maple leaves and paper cut-outs
- Compact experience makes it easy to fit into any schedule
- Enjoy more personal attention and instruction in a small group
What's Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Transportation to/from workshop
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 345 Sanjōchō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8205, Japan
The shop's name is 'KAMITOWA'. Please search with the Japanese address; 京都市中京区新町通三条下る三条町345番地 to have a precise location. - Only a 9-min walk from the #24 exit of Shijo station on Kyoto Metro Karasuma Line or Karasuma station on Hankyu Line
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Make your own way to the location of the class, a traditional Japanese–style house in the heart of Kyoto. After introductions, learn how to make traditional washi paper under the watchful eye of your instructor.
As your instructor patiently explains each step in the process, choose to craft a set of postcards, a table mat, a wraparound lampshade, or a tapestry panel from washi paper that you have made and designed yourself. Enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the process through from beginning to end and learning new skills.
By the end of the class you will have a unique souvenir to bring home with you from Japan.
As your instructor patiently explains each step in the process, choose to craft a set of postcards, a table mat, a wraparound lampshade, or a tapestry panel from washi paper that you have made and designed yourself. Enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the process through from beginning to end and learning new skills.
By the end of the class you will have a unique souvenir to bring home with you from Japan.
1
Kamitowa
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operated by a multi-lingual guide (Japanese and English)
- Only 9-min walk from #24 exit of Shijo station on Kyoto Metro Karasuma Line or Karasuma station on Hankyu Line
- Only 6-min walk from #6 exit of Karasuma Oike station on Kyoto Metro Karasuma Line
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 5 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 96 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Informative, hands on experience. Wonderful family business that takes you through the paper making process.
This was a meaningful, high-quality experience! Hiro and his assistant, Nami, were informative and provided a warm, welcoming space to learn with clear instructions and the opportunity for independent hands-on design with the art of Traditional Japanese Washi Papermaking. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the historical origin of this tradition and will treasure this experimental learning, your hospitality, and continue to explore what we have learned. My heartfelt gratitude to you both for sharing your knowledge with us. (I hope I have spelled your names correctly).
This was an educational and hands on activity that gave us a tiny bit of understanding of what it would feel like to make washi paper. There was an informative video at the end that we all enjoyed learning about this beautiful Japanese craft. It was a very calming activity and great for a hot day in Kyoto.
Great fun. Beautiful end product. Excellent instructions, informative. A gem. Would recommend to others.
Mum and I did this as a bit of fun and learned so much about washi paper making. It was hands on and really fun. Fabulous mementos to take home as a reminder of our Japan trip.
We had a lovely time learning about how the paper is traditionally made and then making our own and decorating it with pressed flowers. Our teacher was lovely the instructions very clear and calm. We came away with our postcards as a lovely memento of our time. The shop where we did the workshop was beautiful.
The third-generation head of a family-owned fine paper shop leads a small group of people through a hands-on, start-to-finish workshop in making traditional washi paper decorated with dried flowers, leaves, and gold particles. The experience is delightful, the results exquisite!
Really fun experience! We very much enjoyed learning how to make Washi paper. It was informative,
Creative and relaxing. Highly recommend!
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience of making paper from water and fibre then decorating it - interesting process. Instructor was very knowledgeable and friendly.
I absolutely loved this. The gentleman (and his son) taking the workshop really knew his stuff and under his patient guidance we made a beautiful piece to make a light shade. It felt very relaxing and medatitive. Learned a lot about washi paper. Great to see the short film to see how the raw material is prepared. A great use of time whilst our pieces were drying. I felt like I had been dipped in the essence of Japan culture
Totally recommend
The class was a nice and relaxing experience. Our teacher was very knowledge and patient. It was wonderful to learn some of the papermaking history of Japan. Having a few options for what to make made it more fun as well.
Thank you for this unique and great introduction into the Japanese washi paper culture! We had a great time
Fabulous experience with a very kind instructor and assistant. Peaceful respite from Kyoto sightseeing crowds!
Very nice people who ran the experience. Helpful and informative and fun. And you get to take something you made home from Japan.
We had FANTASTIC time! They were so kind, gentle people, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Making Washi paper was so much fun. If you have a chance, you should try it too!
It was a lovely experience in a small setting. Great hands on with a lovely souvenir to take back home.
They were accomodating and great with kids! Would highly recommend
The washi paper-making workshop was so good! Very hands-on, and the two people running it (one of whom was called Hiro) were so helpful and accommodating. We actually left something behind, didn’t realise until the following day, and when we went back they helped us straight away. Would definitely recommend for a friendly and unique experience.
We had the best time here making paper. Hosts are extremely nice and accommodating. My seven and eleven year old boys loved it too. Highly recommend this if you're in the area.
This was very informative experience and give a great insight to the process of making paper. it was professionally run
We had a fantastic time making washi paper! The couple running the workshop were lovely and so helpful!
They also played some information videos during drying time about the paper making process which was a great idea.
We were happy with our results! And spent some time in the shop afterwards enjoying the local creations!
It was so much fun for the family. They were so accommodating and so friendly. I was only able to book 4 but they allowed us to add one more person.
Hiro and Junko were lovely people and made the class both fun and educational. Such a lovely momento to bring home.
Really lovely couple and cute little shop. My friend and I enjoyed the workshop and left with some beautiful artwork.
It was really fun, we were a very small group so I feel like we were given a lot of attention and support. It was very informative and fun, especially decorating the chosen product. The options given were nice, I went for a lantern for a small supplement. Overall it lasted one hour.
I really enjoy learning to old art of this way to make paper. I had fun creating my lantern to take home . The video we watched gave so much information about the history and the full details of the process. It is amazing and I’m so glad to have learned so I look at it with a deeper respect!! Thank you so much.
Lovely experience. Well explained and everything provided. We really enjoyed this. Such a relaxing morning.
Wonderful experience in a small studio (seems to hold 4 people max) - learned all about Washi paper making and had fun creating our own papers!
The class was more than what I expected. Not only did we get to make the paper, and lay out flower and leaves on the paper, but we also got a history of how the traditional paper making process is like. The couple who ran the class were super nice, and they explained everything well. I would recommend this class to anyone, especially since you get a nice souvenir you made yourself to take home!
Our Washi Papermaking experience in Kyoto was simply unforgettable! Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, this little shop felt like a portal to Japan’s past. We had the unique opportunity to make our own sheet of paper, decorating it with delicate dried flowers and grass, which added a personal touch to this beautiful tradition.
The staff were incredibly kind and patient, guiding us step-by-step through the entire process. The class itself was wonderfully informative, blending the history of Washi papermaking with a hands-on experience that made us appreciate the artistry and meticulous care involved. Seeing firsthand the thought and precision put into every step truly deepened our respect for this ancient craft.
Beyond the class, the shop is filled with beautiful paper products and unique items to browse. We left with a newfound admiration for Washi and a one-of-a-kind souvenir we made ourselves. Highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Kyoto!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you so much for your insightful comments. We are so grateful to know that you liked it so much!
A very relaxing, creative and fun experience. The guides are friendly and help you along the way. Big recommendation.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you so much !!
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up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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