Meeting Point

Echizen-Takefu Station

Okamoto Jinja Shrine and Otaki Jinja Shrine (15 min)

These shrines have over 1,500 and 1,400 years of history, respectively and it is a complex building structure with a dignified appearance. The goddess of paper making has been enshrined in the shrine which is the only one in Japan and has been designated a National Important Cultural Asset.

Washi Paper Factory Tour / Experience (60 min)

Explore a workshop to learn how washi paper is made from fibers taken out of barks of trees and experience in making washi using their tools if you wish. Workshop(s) we visit are basically making various sizes of paper and/or you can see how designs on paper are created by a craftsman's hands.

Udatsu Paper & Crafts Museum (30 min)

You will learn a basic knowledge of washi paper making by viewing a craftsman producing it.

Lunch in The Echizen Washi Village (60 min)

Enjoy eating traditional dishes using locally harvested vegetables, fishes and meat.

Umeda Washi Paper Shop (15 min)

Various handmade Washi paper products from over 40 makers are available at relatively lower price to the market. It is so much fun to explore the shop to see different styles of paper works including envelopes, letters, memos, trays, dolls, decorative paper, lampshades, and etc.

Knife Village (50 min)

Learn about how a handmade knife is made by viewing craftsmen making it from the 2nd fl of a factory as well as a small museum. 14 different companies with over 40 artisans/craftsmen are producing beautiful knives and selling them at a shop in this village.

Oyanagi Tansu Chest Shop (50 min)

Learn how a traditional tansu chest is made from viewing a craftsman produces. Every part of the tansu chest including decorative metal fittings and Hozo Tsugi (mortise and tenon technique without using nails) are handmade and you can closely look at how those small pieces are made by a craftsman.

Finish at Echizen-Takefu JR station

Ending Point

Echizen-Takefu Station