Highlight

• This program starts with a visit to the workshop, run by the Araragi Hinoki Hat Production Cooperative, where the thin strips of
  hinoki are produced. A representative of the cooperative will also share the history of Araragi Hinoki Hats as well as the group’s
  struggles to preserve the craft.
• You’ll make coasters with thin strips of hinoki. The coasters you make will be presented to local elementary schools in Nagiso
  Town. They’ll be used to promote children’s understanding of local traditions and culture.
• You’ll receive a small gift made locally in Nagiso, such as up-cycled pouches made of kimono fabric, or locally hand-made washi
  postcards from Tadachi, where locals are also struggling to preserve their traditional crafts.

Story

Nagiso Town, at the southern end of the Kiso Valley is home to Tsumago-juku Post Town, one of the most beautiful and popular post towns of the Nakasendo. About 93% of the town is forest and it has long been known as a place of high-quality timber. Of all of the wood produced in the area, one tree stands out: hinoki cypress trees from Kiso, commonly known as “Kiso hinoki” are especially famous within Japan.

Cone-shaped hats weaved out of Kiso hinoki have been made in the Araragi area of Nagiso Town for the past 300 years. This local traditional craft has been passed on through generations. This experience offers you an opportunity to learn about the history of the craft and to try out the techniques. It takes place at a workshop run by the Araragi Hinoki Hat Production Cooperative, where Araragi hinoki hats are still produced to this day. You will weave a coaster using the scraps and off-cuts from Araragi hinoki hat production.

Araragi cypress hats are crafted using thin strips of hinoki. Because of their beautiful stitches, breathability, and water resistance, the hats were widely purchased by travelers and farmers in oldern times. It is said that several hundred thousand of them were produced annually in the 16th century. During their peak, from the late 18th century to the early 19th century, their annual production was said to have reached a million.
The demand for the hats, though, has decreased due to the changing of the times. The future of the craft and its traditional techniques are now threatened. This program is guided by members of the Araragi Hinoki Hat Production Cooperative and Hinokigasa-no-Ie, the Hinoki Hat House, who devote themselves to passing on this tradition to future generations!

Activity Level

• Even those with limited physical fitness abilities will have no problem participating.

Technical Level

• The guide from Hinokigasa-no-ie will be on hand to offer careful instruction, so beginners may participate with no problem.

Price Per Person

14,000JPY

Clothing/Wha to bring

• Comfortable clothing

Included in the fee

• Japanese guide fee
• English-speaking guide fee
• Experience fee

Not included in the fee

• Transportation to/from the meeting point
• Insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country) Anything else not specified (The bank transaction fee shall be covered by the customer.)

Language

English

Event Duration

About 4 hours

Distance / Elevation

N/A

Age / Height:

No restriction

Meeting Point

Hinokigasa-no-ie

Disbanding Point

Hinokigasa-no-ie

Program Availability

April ~ November

Participants

5 – 8 people

Application Deadline

30 days in advance

Agent Name

Nagiso Town Tourism Association

Gift for you

You will receive a small gift made locally in Nagiso, such as up-cycled pouches made of kimono fabric, or locally hand-made washi postcards from Tadachi, where locals are also struggling to preserve their traditional crafts. Your gifts will be selected by the local staff of Nagiso Tourism Association.