04 | Recommended Route No. 2
Visiting the Washi Paper Workshops
Enjoy the Peaceful Atmosphere of the Washi Paper Workshops and Factories along the Okamoto River
The Goka area of Echizen City consists of five small villages, and the area has long been famous for producing washi paper of exceptional quality. Today, some 60 or so washi paper workshops and factories can be found in the area between the old townscape of Echizen Washi Village and the Okamoto River area to the south. Clouds escaping from these buildings are a sign of plant fibers being cooked for use in paper; you may even hear the thump-thump-thump of the fibers being pounded to soften them. The Okamoto River is said to be the area's rich source of pure water that Kawakami Gozen, the goddess of paper, referred to in legends, when she shared the techniques of paper-making. The calming sound of the river makes a lovely accompaniment to a walk around the area.
If you visit a washi paper workshop or factory to watch them work, always keep in mind that the people you visit are stopping their work as a favor, and try to be on your best behavior. Even if you didn't make a reservation, you can scan the QR Translator code at the front of the workshop or factory and learn about them, and see photos and possibly even videos of people at work there.
Route Details
① Fukuda Washi
★ An Echizen Washi paper workshop with 800 years of tradition specializing in sumi-nagashi paper marbling.
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② Osada Paper Mill
★ Preserving the traditions of Echizen Washi, while exploring its potential as a modern art form in their workshop.
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③ Iwano Heizaburo Washi
★ Practicing Uchigumo, Tobigumo, and Mizutama, traditional Echizen Washi decorative techniques from long ago.
Visits to Washi Paper Factories and Workshops Require a Reservation At Least One Day in Advance.
○ Please let them know the following when you make your reservation:
Your name, your preferred date and time for the visit, the number of people in your group, and a phone number where you can be reached.
(Note: The largest group size allowed is generally 5 people.)
○ Reservations: Please contact each workshop directly for reservations.
Fukuda Washi — (0778) 42-0463
Iwano Heizaburo Washi — (0778) 42-0042
Osada Paper Mill — (0778) 42-0051
Manners for Visiting a Workshop or Factory
○ Do not enter or watch workers without a reservation.
○ Be on time for your reservation.
If you are late or very early, your visit may be refused.
○ Do not touch the tools or products, or take photos, without permission.
○ If you want to share photos on social media or other public places, be sure to ask for permission first. Your request may be refused, especially if your photo contains a person or is otherwise felt to be an invasion of privacy.
○ Always take your shoes off before stepping on tatami mats.
Map of the Washi Paper Workshop District
