Oguni Washi Intensive Japanese Papermaking Workshop
Number of Participants: 2–5
Cost/participant: ¥160000 (Early-bird)
Duration: 6 full days (+)
Date: March 2~March 8, 2025
Overview
Spend six full and intensive days in Oguni, Niigata, learning about the traditional craft of papermaking (washi). Learn, in English, how traditional Japanese paper is made, and take advantage of plenty of time to develop your skill at making sheets of your own that you can take home at the end of the workshop. Learn about traditional paper treatments, and bind papers into a traditional-style 4‑hole stab-bound book. Learn about papermaking techniques, washi varieties, washi history/culture, and more through evening lectures and discussion sessions. Master the fundamentals of this timeless art, all in a picturesque countryside setting.
Outline & Accommodation
On the afternoon of March 2 (Sunday), we will meet at either the ticket gate in Nagaoka station, or at our hotel in Nagaoka (exact times tba). Due to the proximity of amenities, we will stay near Nagaoka station, and commute daily to Oguni by car (approximately 50 minutes). We’ll depart from the hotel daily at 8:30 am.
Rooms have been pre-reserved at Hotel Mets Nagaoka at the reasonable price of ¥7500/night. For ease of travel, we recommend staying here, but if you wish to find your own accommodation, please let us know at the time of registration.
A simple bento lunch will be provided daily at Oguni Washi (please provide any dietary restrictions upon registration). Light snacks, coffee, and tea will be available throughout the day.
Around 5:00 pm daily, we will wind things down, and return to Nagaoka by car.
In the afternoon on Day 5, we will travel to a local hot spring, and soak in the public bath and spend the night there (please note that the bath is a communal bath, and the rooms are shared accommodation).
Once the workshop is complete, decide on your own if you want to stay on longer in Nagaoka, return to Tokyo, or travel on elsewhere.
Prerequisites
We kindly request that you participate with a curious and open mind, and the will/ability to work hard at developing your craft, in confluence with other participants, over a period of 6 days.
What’s Included?
The workshop fee includes:
Daily transportation (studio/hotel)
Studio rental
Papermaking materials
Expert instruction and assistance
Bento lunch
Tea and light snacks
The workshop fee does not include:
Meals, except for bento lunch
Accommodation
Transportation to Nagaoka (transportation between Nagaoka and Oguni is included)
Registration & Payment
Early registration is appreciated; receive a 10% discount for registration before January 1, 2025. Payment in full is required within 10 days of registration; failure to complete payment within 10 days will lead to the full fee being charged, and/or cancellation of your registration. No registrations will be accepted after February 1, 2025. To register, or make an inquiry about any aspect of the workshop, please fill out and submit this contact form.
Travel to Nagaoka
Nagaoka is located approximately 250km (150 miles) nw of Tokyo. If necessary, we can assist with travel to Nagaoka from Tokyo or other parts of Japan. Shinkansen (2 hours), highway bus (4 hours), and car (4 hours) are all viable options. Please inquire as necessary.
You won’t be disappointed!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
“I highly recommend this workshop for anyone looking to learn about Japanese papermaking! The instructors were not only friendly but also extremely knowledgable and highly skilled!”
~Heather (2024)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
“I cannot recommend this workshop highly enough: knowledgeable, patient instructors; clear guidance; the chance to learn about every aspect of the process; and a beautiful setting in a lovely region of Japan. Perfect!”
~Helen (2024)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
“Being able to take part in the whole process, from tending the field to stacking dried sheets, was eye-opening.”
~Nick (2024)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
“The workshop was a wonderful experience and I’m so very thankful for the stellar instructors who were so generous in sharing their knowledge.”
~Cindy (2024)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
“The instructors went above and beyond the normal workshops I’ve experienced.”
~Roslyn (2024)
Detailed Itinerary
Pre-workshop (Mar 2)
(Afternoon) Meet at Nagaoka Station
Travel to Nagaoka hotel
Evening Presentation/Discussion 1
Spend night in Nagaoka
Day 1 (Mar 3)
Travel to Oguni
Studio Tour/Intro
Kozo Scraping
Group Lunch
Cooking
Snow Bleaching Prep
Travel to Nagaoka hotel
Evening Presentation/Discussion 2
Spend night in Nagaoka
Day 2 (Mar 4)
Travel to Oguni
Snow Bleaching
Group Lunch
Chiri-tori/Beating
Travel to Nagaoka hotel
Spend night in Nagaoka
Day 3 (Mar 5)
Travel to Oguni
Sheet-forming (Oguni-size)
Group Lunch
Sheet-forming (Oguni-size)
Travel to Nagaoka hotel
Evening Presentation/Discussion 3
Spend night in Nagaoka
Day 4 (Mar 6)
Travel to Oguni
Sheet-forming (Oguni-size)
Group Lunch
Sheet-forming
Travel to Nagaoka hotel
Spend night in Nagaoka
Day 5 (Mar 7)
Travel to Oguni
Pressing and Drying
Group Lunch
Mini-WS — Kakishibu&Konnyaku
Mini WS — Shimenawa
Travel to local hot spring
Spend night at hot spring hotel
Day 6 (Mar 8)
Travel to Oguni
Mini-WS — stab-binding
Group Lunch
Nagaoka Sightseeing
Disperse at Nagaoka station for your next destination, or stay an extra night in Nagaoka
＊ An additional program in Tokyo may be offered on March 9 if enough interest is present (please inquire at registration if interested).
＊ Itinerary contents and schedule are approximate and subject to change. Outdoor activities, especially, may need to be rescheduled depending on weather conditions.
Your Guide/Instructor
Paul Denhoed
Paul, originally from Toronto Canada, is a washi researcher and papermaker who has lived in Japan for 20+ years. He has a close working relationship with the Imai family. Paul is a native English speaker and also fluent in Japanese. Although not a professional interpreter, he will facilitate communication between Mr and Mrs Imai and workshop participants.
Your Hosts/Instructors
Hiroaki and Chihiro Imai
The Imais followed Chihiro’s parents into the paper-making world beginning over 25 years ago. They have both travelled to widely (around Japan and abroad) to demonstrate washi papermaking, and have a robust workshop program at the studio. Their friendly and generous demeanor makes them great teachers and excellent hosts.
About Oguni Washi
The Oguni area of Nagaoka City (Niigata prefecture) lies in the heart of the region known as “Snow Country”, and is home to a papermaking tradition stretching back more than 300 years. From the cultivation and preparation of kozo (paper mulberry — the raw material for papermaking) to the drying and finishing of the sheets, the Oguni Washi Papermaking Workshop produces papers using traditional techniques that take advantage of the abundant snow of the area. Oguni-gami, the traditional paper of the region, has been recognised as an intangible cultural asset.
FAQ
Q — Can you help me to arrange travel and accommodation?
A — Yes. If necessary, please contact us to arrange assistance with your travel reservations/accommodations.
Q — What languages will be supported?
A — All communication/instruction will be offered in English, or through translation to English provided by Paul. The Imais will speak Japanese.
Q — Can my child participate?
A — This workshop is recommended for age 16 and up. Children 10–15 may be ok if accompanied by an adult. The workshop is not recommended for children under 10.
Q — Will this event be offered in the future?
A — This workshop is being offered as a one-time event, though iterations may be offered in the future. Please feel free to inquire about customizing a workshop program for yourself or your group.
Q — Are discounts available?
A — An early sign-up discount is available. The early-bird price is ¥160000. From January 1 (2025), the price will increase to ¥177500.
Q — What kind of weather should I expect?
A — Although climate change has led to inconsistency, early March in Oguni is generally cold with deep snow (1–3 metres!). Expect daily highs of 5–12°C (41–54°F), with lows of minus 2–6°C (28–43°F), and anticipate possible high or low anomalies appropriately.
Q — What type of clothing should I wear?
A — Make sure that you have warm clothing to withstand the cold, but dress in layers so you can add/remove as necessary. There’s a good chance you will get a little wet, and a small chance you will get dirty. Rubber boots and/or waterproof hiking boots will be essential.
Q — Can I get a refund?
A — Refunds will be available as follows:
Cancellation prior to January 15:
Full refund, less ¥5000 cancellation fee
Cancellation between January 15 and January 31:
50% refund
Cancellation after January 31:
No refund
