Join. Learn. And help to carry on the tradition!
Nagiso Town, at the southern end of the Kiso Valley is home to Tsumago-juku Post Town, one of the
most beautiful and popular post towns of the Nakasendo. About 93% of the town is forest and it has long
been known as a place of high-quality timber. Of all of the wood produced in the area, one tree stands
out: hinoki cypress trees from Kiso, commonly known as “Kiso hinoki” are especially famous within
Japan.
Cone-shaped hats weaved out of Kiso hinoki have been made in the Araragi area of Nagiso Town for the
past 300 years. This local traditional craft has been passed on through generations. This experience
offers you an opportunity to learn about the history of the craft and to try out the techniques. It takes
place at a workshop run by the Araragi Hinoki Hat Production Cooperative, where Araragi hinoki hats are
still produced to this day. You will weave a coaster using the scraps and off-cuts from Araragi hinoki hat
production.
Araragi cypress hats are crafted using thin strips of hinoki. Because of their beautiful stitches,
breathability, and water resistance, the hats were widely purchased by travelers and farmers in oldern
times. It is said that several hundred thousand of them were produced annually in the 16th century.
During their peak, from the late 18th century to the early 19th century, their annual production was said to
have reached a million.
The demand for the hats, though, has decreased due to the changing of the times. The future of the craft
and its traditional techniques are now threatened. This program is guided by members of the Araragi
Hinoki Hat Production Cooperative and Hinokigasa-no-Ie, the Hinoki Hat House, who devote themselves
to passing on this tradition to future generations!
*For foreign visitors, please note that coasters cannot be taken home with you as they may violate customs regulations. They will be presented to local elementary schools in Nagiso Town by the Nagiso Tourism Association and be used to promote children’s understanding of local traditions and cultures. You will receive a small gift made locally in Nagiso in exchange!
Culture/Activity
・This program starts with a visit to the workshop, run by the Araragi Hinoki Hat Production Cooperative, where the thin strips of hinoki are produced. A representative of the cooperative will also share the history of Araragi Hinoki Hats as well as the group’s struggles to preserve the craft.
・You’ll make coasters with thin strips of hinoki. The coasters you make will be presented to local elementary schools in Nagiso Town. They’ll be used to promote children’s understanding of local traditions and culture.
・You’ll receive a small gift made locally in Nagiso, such as up-cycled pouches made of kimono fabric, or locally hand-made washi postcards from Tadachi, where locals are also struggling to preserve their traditional crafts.
14,000 JPY~
Nagiso Town Tourism Association
Between 10:00 ~ 14:00
(The time can be arranged according to your request. The activity duration is approx. 120 min, depending on the total number of participants)
Between 10:00 ~ 14:00
(Your itinerary can be arranged
according to your request)
You will receive a small gift made locally in Nagiso, such as up-cycled pouches made of kimono fabric, or locally hand-made washi postcards from Tadachi, where locals are also struggling to preserve their traditional crafts. Your gifts will be selected by the local staff of Nagiso Tourism Association.
Hinokigasa-no-ie
Hinokigasa-no-ie
(Onsite parking available)
12 min. by car from Nagiso Station (JR Chuo Main Line), 10 min. by car from Tsumago-juku.
April ~ November
No restriction
30 days prior
Minimum 5 Maximum 8
Comfortable clothing
1
Even those with limited physical fitness abilities will have no problem participating.
2
The guide from Hinokigasa-no-ie will be on hand to offer careful instruction, so beginners may participate with no problem.
Japanese guide fee, English-speaking guide fee, experience fee
Transportation to/from the meeting point, insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country), anything else not specified in “what is included” above.
(The bank transfer fees are responsibility of the participants)
N/A
[Cancellation at customer’s convenience]
-7 days to 2 days prior to the reserved date: 25%
-One day prior to the reserved date: 50%
-On the day of the reserved date & No-show: 100%.
[Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer]
-In case of inclement weather, we will make a decision the previous day and notify you only if the program has been cancelled.
-If the tour is cancelled on the day of the tour prior to the start of the program, no cancellation fee will be charged.
-Depending on the weather conditions once the tour begins, the route may be changed or the tour may be cancelled. No refunds will be given in this case.