How can I experience painting Naruko Kokeshi dolls? Introducing Naruko's experience tourism plan

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Naruko is a famous tourist destination known as the "town of kokeshi dolls." Kokeshi doll workshops are lined up throughout the town, and you can experience painting a kokeshi doll. In this article, we will introduce plans that allow you to experience the charms of Naruko, including the kokeshi dol...

Written by

Minami Aoyama Real Estate Co., Ltd.

We, Minami Aoyama Real Estate, are a real estate company located in Minato-ku, Tokyo. We offer a wide variety of services, from our core real estate business to dining, lodging, and modern Japanese architecture. An accommodation experience designed with modern Japanese architecture based on the keyword "bringing Japan's proud culture and technology to the world," a dining experience at a cafe modeled after a Western-style building from around 1900, when Western culture entered Japan, and Japanese sake. We provide entertainment that can be enjoyed with all five senses, such as a Japanese antenna shop that delivers traditional crafts and traditional crafts.

Table of Contents
Naruko Kokeshi dolls have a history of about 200 years
A place where you can experience painting Naruko Kokeshi dolls
You can only taste this here! Naruko's recommended lunch
If you want to enjoy an experiential tour in Naruko, head to Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

Naruko Kokeshi dolls have a history of about 200 years

Naruko Kokeshi is one of the traditional crafts of Naruko. The neck is a snap-in type, and when you turn the neck, it makes a squeaking sound. It is said that Naruko Kokeshi started as a toy for children about 200 years ago by people who made their living as woodworkers.

There are still many kokeshi doll workshops in the Naruko area today, making it a popular spot where you can try your hand at painting kokeshi dolls.

A place where you can experience painting Naruko Kokeshi dolls

Famous as the "town of Kokeshi dolls," Naruko is lined with Kokeshi doll workshops. Many of the workshops offer the chance to try Kokeshi doll painting, making it an enjoyable experience for tourists.

We will introduce some spots where you can experience painting kokeshi dolls.

Sakurai Kokeshi Shop, a succession of generations since the end of the Edo period

At Sakurai Kokeshi Shop, you can experience painting a kokeshi doll in the store.

The attraction is that you can have an authentic painting experience by drawing potter's wheel lines using a hand-cranked potter's wheel.

Address: 26-6 Yumoto, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Access: 3 minutes on foot from Naruko Onsen Station

Choose your favorite piece of wood and paint it using a Japanese brush and dyes.

Learn about the history of Kokeshi dolls at the Japan Kokeshi Museum

The Japan Kokeshi Museum displays documents related to kokeshi dolls and various donated kokeshi dolls. One of the attractions is the wheel-throwing demonstrations by kokeshi craftsmen, which change daily.

At the Japan Kokeshi Museum, you can experience painting a kokeshi doll while learning how to paint from a kokeshi craftsman.

Address: 74-2 Ureshimae, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Business hours: 8:30-17:00

Admission: Adults 500 yen, High school students 300 yen, Middle school students 200 yen, Elementary school students 150 yen. 1,500 yen per figure.

Access: 5 minutes by car or 40 minutes on foot from Naruko Onsen Station

The painted kokeshi doll will be polished to a high shine with wax and can be taken home on the same day.

Iwashita Kokeshi Museum: Tohoku's No. 1 Kokeshi Specialty Shop

The Iwashita Kokeshi Museum is a museum that exhibits materials related to Kokeshi dolls. It boasts the largest number of exhibits in the Tohoku region, and you can learn about the history and culture surrounding Kokeshi dolls.

At the Iwashita Kokeshi Museum, in addition to the literature on display, we also recommend the experience of painting kokeshi dolls and straps.

Address: 80 Furutomae, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Business hours: 9:00-16:00

Price: Free admission, Painting experience 800-1,500 yen

Access: 3 minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot from Naruko Onsen Station

Once painted, the craftsman will polish the doll with wax.

You can only taste this here! Naruko's recommended lunch

After your kokeshi doll painting experience, enjoy lunch in Naruko. There are many restaurants in the Naruko area where you can enjoy a delicious lunch.

We will introduce some recommended lunches that can only be enjoyed here.

Cafe Gutto: Experience painting Kokeshi Monaka

Cafe Gutto is a restaurant where you can enjoy cafe lunches. Their popular lunch plates, made with seasonal ingredients, allow you to fully enjoy local ingredients.

Address: 27-2-2 Yumoto, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Business hours: 11:30-18:00 *Last order 17:30 *Closed on Fridays

Access: 3 minutes on foot from Naruko Onsen Station

Another popular sweet is the kokeshi-shaped monaka wafers, which you can paint with colored sugar. The painted monaka wafers are then filled with chocolate, bean paste, ice cream, and more.

Tumbleweed Burgers Cafe Naruko Branch

This extremely popular restaurant is known for its thick hamburgers, made with patties made from beef and ingredients produced in Miyagi Prefecture.

Address: 126-4 Shinyashiki, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Business hours: 11:00-21:00

Access: 3 minutes walk from Naruko Onsen Station

If you want to enjoy an experiential tour in Naruko, head to Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

Hotel WAMARE Onikobe, located in Naruko Onsen Onikobe, is a rental inn. The hotel has a cypress bath, where you can spend a relaxing time surrounded by the scent of cypress. There are also five rooms available for guests, so even large groups can relax in the spacious accommodation.

At Hotel WAMARE Onikobe, we can introduce you to cultural experience tours and create your own original plan.

If you are planning an experience tour in the Naruko area, please consider using Hotel WAMARE Onikobe.

Reservation here

Written by

Minami Aoyama Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Tokyo

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