Higashichichibu village, Washi no Sato, paper-making experience
Washi is an ancient Japanese paper. In particular, the technique of Hosokawa-gami, handmade washi handed down from generation to generation in East Chichibu, has been registered as a national important intangible cultural asset, and its value has been recognized. At Washi no Sato, visitors can experience the history and appeal of washi, which has a tradition of 1,300 years, through the paper-making experience.
I visited with my usual travel friends while staying in Nagatoro, looking for something to experience. We found out we could try paper-making here. Unfortunately, we didn't check the hours and it was only open until 3:00 p.m., so we had to give up on the first day. We came back the next morning and were able to do the experience.
The paper-making itself wasn't too hard—you just dip the frame into the already dissolved washi pulp. But placing the flowers and plants we picked onto the paper was pretty tricky. You have to lay them flat so they don't become three-dimensional, but they kept scattering and wouldn't stay in place. I really wished we had tweezers! We were told that white flowers would disappear, but I wasn't sure how much they'd actually fade. It might have been helpful if there were sample postcards, tapestries, or colored paper on display. Overall, I was happy with what I made and it became a great memory.