Straw Craft Activity and Craftsman Workshop Tour (with English-speaking guide and private workshop)
Straw craft, called mugiwara zaiku in Japanese, is a unique, traditional handicraft with vibrant colors and intricate patterns that, in all of Japan, is only produced in Kinosaki Onsen.
Observe the fascinating and complex straw craft process, learn about its history, and get a private tour of the craftsman's workshop.
Make your own original straw craft design on a small box to keep as a lovely souvenir.
With the help of the craftsman and your English-speaking guide, you will get to trim, position, and glue delicate pieces of straw into a beautifully intricate patterned design.
It is said that in mid-Edo era (around 1720 AD), a craftsman named Hanhichi from the Inshuu area (what is now Tottori Prefecture) came to stay in Kinosaki Onsen.
To make money to pay for his lodging expenses, Hanhichi sold bamboo flutes and spinning tops decorated with colored barley straw.
After this, the straw craft was also used to decorate chests, boxes, and wooden prayer plaques.
DETAILS
- REGISTRATION START
- 2019/09/01
- RESERVATION DEADLINE
- 7 days before activity
- ACTIVITY OPTIONS
-
- Morning Course (9:30-12:00)
- Afternoon Course (13:30-16:00)
- SCHEDULE
(Some times may differ) -
Morning Course
9:30 Meet guide at your accommodation (or Kinosaki Onsen Station), head to shop on foot
10:00 Kamiya Mingei Shop
10:00-10:30 Learn about the history and process of straw craft, watch straw-affixing demonstration
10:30-12:00 Straw craft box decorating activity (pasting pre-cut straw pieces on the top of a box)
12:00 End of tour
Afternoon Course
13:30 Meet guide at your accommodation (or Kinosaki Onsen Station), head to shop on foot
14:00 Kamiya Mingei Shop
14:00-14:30 Learn about the history and process of straw craft, watch straw-affixing demonstration
14:30-16:00 Straw craft box decorating activity (pasting pre-cut straw pieces on the top of a box)
16:00 End of tour
- ACCOMPANYING GUIDE
(INCLUDED OR NOT) - Included
- MINIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE
- 2
- MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE
- 6
- AGE REQUIREMENT
- 12 years or older
- MEETING PLACE
- Kinosaki Onsen Station, 283 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo 669-6101
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- ・If you are late, your activity may be cancelled.
- PRICES
(Per person unless otherwise noted) -
Number of Participants Price per Person (12 years and older) 1 person N/A 2 people 18,500 yen 3 people 15,000 yen 4 people 13,000 yen 5 people 12,000 yen 6 people 11,500 yen
- INCLUDED IN THE PRICING
- English-speaking guide, activity reservation, activity, materials
- CANCELLATION FEES
-
Day of Cancellation Cancellation Fee (% of activity price) After 17:00 1 weekday before 100% 1 weekday before by 17:00 50% 2-7 weekdays before 30% 8+ weekdays before 0%
- ACCEPTED PAYMENT TYPES
- Pay by credit card (VISA, MASTER, JCB, AMEX, DC) via an activity confirmation link in an e-mail that we will send to you following your reservation.
- OPERATOR NAME
- Toyooka Tourism Innovation
Customer Reviews
-
Very interesting workshop, where you make straw-marquetry on the top of box, and learn about the craft. I really recommend doing it at Kimiya Mingey. You come back home with a fantastic and unique craft box you made yourself. Very enjoyable.
François
France
Date of visit: 2025.03.15
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This was a great experience unique to Kinosaki, and we get to keep a souvenir! Great activity that allowed us to use our hands and participate in a great craft experience.
Issei
Canada
Date of visit: 2019.12.15
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A unique craft with an interesting history. This process can be time consuming or not and the quality is dependent on you.
George
United States
Date of visit: 2019.12.15
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Our guide was very friendly and she tried her best to converse in simple English. The straw craft workshop was very fun and unique experience for me! I enjoyed it thoroughly :)
Kymberly
Singapore
Date of visit: 2019.11.30
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The straw craft workshop was a relaxing, therapeutic experience which was also fun. At the same time, it taught us a little about Japanese art and culture, which was really informative and interesting.
Kaiting
Singapore
Date of visit: 2019.11.28
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Friendly staff. Good experience in Japanese craft.
Yuh-Ru
Taiwan
Date of visit: 2019.11.25