Japanese Washi paper-making

Kotsuga village in Hongu has long been famous as a centre for hand-made Washi paper. Local crafts like this have largely disappeared over time, but now there is a movement to revive the techniques of hand-made paper. Otonashi paper, made from fibres of the mulberry plant called Mitsumata or Kouzo in Japanese, was once dedicated at the Hongu Grand shrine in the form of paper amulets called Gou Shinpu. Create your own piece of Washi at the workshop in Hongu and then have it stamped with a special Shuin red seal at the Kumano Grand Shrine at Hongu. This makes an ideal souvenir of your time on the Kumano Kodo Trail. The craft experience takes around one hour and English explanations are provided at the workshop so you can make the most of the session.

This experience is an Add-on package
This experience is ideal for those staying in Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen on the Kumano Kodo Trail. All our Self-Guided Kumano Kodo tours offer the opportunity to spend a leisurely second night in one of these hot-spring villages near the Grand Shrine at Hongu. Clients choosing the two-night stay can request this Experience for their intervening free day.