[watashino] Just a minute's walk from Asakusa Station! Experience making washi in Tokyo

COCOSHUKU Asakusa Kuramae is a hotel located at Kuramae Station, just one minute by train from Asakusa Station.
All rooms have kitchens and multiple people can stay in one room.

This time, the hotel staff at COCOSHUKU Asakusa Kuramae tried their hand at making handmade washi!

Why not stay at "COCOSHUKU Asakusa Kuramae" and go sightseeing in Asakusa?

• Table of Contents
• What is washi?
• Put on your work clothes and start the experience
• Handmade washi shop watashino

What is washi?

"washi" is traditional Japanese paper. It is difficult to define in one word, but traditional Japanese washi is made by hand, and some types are said to be durable enough to withstand use for 100 years.

The shop we will introduce this time is " watashino Handmade washi Shop," which sells Tosa washi , one of the three major types of washi in Japan.
Located just a one-minute walk from Asakusa Station, this shop allows you to experience making washi without having to bring anything with you.

Put on your work clothes and start the experience

The hand-making experience takes place in a space at the Oku of the store.

First, choose between one A3-sized sheet of washi or four postcard-sized sheets of washi.

You can also create colored washi by adding the optional water-resistant paper.

There are work clothes available for rent in the store. Once you're in the mood, the experience begins.

There is also an explanation of the process of making washi.

Paper making (paper making)

The first thing you will experience is papermaking, which is part of making washi.

Using hands and tools, the fibers of kozo, the material used to make Tosa washi, are loosened in water.

Next, the paper is scraped using a tool called a "suketa."
The "suketa" is placed vertically into the water and then pulled up.

The key is to shake the fibers vertically and horizontally as if weaving them to make them even.
A little difficult but fun!

After repeating this four or five times, place the water-resistant paper you selected earlier on top and allow the color to build up on the paper.
There were so many different types of water-resistant paper that it was hard to choose!

Aperture

The next step is aperture.

Squeeze it firmly using your hands and tools.

Drying

Finally, let it dry.

After attaching the paper to a hot board that serves as a dryer, press it down with a brush and then wait for a while.

Finished product

Peel the non-woven fabric off the paper and you're done!

The result is a very tasteful handmade washi!

It's much more moving when you make it yourself.

Handmade washi shop watashino

The store is also filled with many other attractive products, including envelopes and postcards in beautiful colors.

It's also perfect as a souvenir.

The washi papermaking experience takes about 40 to 70 minutes, depending on the number of people.

This is a highly recommended shop for creating memories of your trip.

watashino

111-0032 2F 1-32-11 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Handmade paper experiences are available every day. Celebrations/gifts/special letters - give the warmth of handmade work to loved ones. "watashino " sells washi paper goods that are hand-made one by one by washi craftsmen. For more information, please check the website.

We recommend making a reservation for this experience through the official website.

Official website of handmade washi store watashino

There are many different shops in the Kuramae area, so be sure to take a stroll around.