Experience the culture when visiting Kochi Prefecture

As you know, Kochi is known as the "land of wine and fish" but besides that this is also a province with a unique culture. Let's take a look at the cultural experiences not to be missed when coming to Kochi with Injavi.

1. Kurogane Workshop
Here you will experience the age-old Japanese forging techniques and especially the Tatara technique to make your own sharp blades. The stages of forging are quite complicated, starting from selecting iron-rich black sand and then heating to obtain perfect steel blocks to shape blades and scissors. If you don't speak Japanese, don't worry because the blacksmiths here can speak English to guide you step-by-step through the process. Come and experience the feeling of shaping fiery red hot steel blocks to make your own items.

● Address: 944 tennousann, Kuchiyanai, Nishitosa, Shimanto, Kochi
TEL: 0880-54-1811
● Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00 all year
● Cost:
- 1 day experience package (9:00 - 17:00): 1 person: 13000/person; 2 people: 10000 yen/person; 3 or more people: 8000 yen/person
- Tatara technique (4 days 3 nights): 72000 yen/person
- Traditional technique (4 days 3 nights): 62,000 yen/person
- Accommodation and meals are included in the Tatara Technique package and the traditional package
- Note: reservation is required; provide arrival date and number of participants
● Website: http://ww8.tiki.ne.jp/~kurogane/
● Email: kurogane@mx8.tiki.ne.jp

2. Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD
Kochi Prefecture has long been associated with the name "Kingdom of Paper" as it is the main manufacturing center in Japan for writing and crafting paper. Some towns like Tosa and Ino are famous for their local traditional paper industry. Tosa Washi - handmade paper from Kochi prefecture with soft yet strong, durable and colorful properties. This type of paper is very suitable for making exquisite crafts as gifts for people. At Tosa Washi craft village, you can not only experience paper making, dyeing, making beautiful cards, but also provide a full range of weaving activities, galleries, restaurants, spas. and accommodation. In summer there is also boating on the fresh Niyodo River and making paper fans.

● Address: 1226 Kashiki, Ino, Agawa-gun, Kochi 781-2136, Japan
TEL: 088-892-1001
● Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00. Closed on Wednesdays
● Price:
- Making paper craft:
+ Making cards: 8 cards, 2 colors: plain pattern: 400 yen (about 40 minutes); Flower sample: 600 yen (about 60 minutes)
+Make a Uchiwa fan: 800 yen (about 40 minutes)
+Dyeing: small sample: 400 yen (about 40 minutes); Large sample: 600 yen (about 40 minutes)
- Weaving
+20cm: 1500 yen
+30cm: 2250 yen
+60cm (or 2 pieces of 30cm): 3300 yen
+120cm: 6600 yen
Note: Groups of more than 20 people need to book in advance
● Website: http://www.qraud-kochi.jp/

3. Washi Studio Kamikoya
Kamikoya is a guesthouse where you can learn how traditional Japanese paper was born through hands-on tutorials. Kamikoya's owner is a Dutch master Rogier Uitenboogaart, who started making paper from growing paper trees in 1981 in Japan. The special thing at this paper factory is that all the materials of the paper are grown by themselves and without pesticides or fertilizers, the sheets are created without the use of any chemicals or technological machines. any in the process. Here, you will be introduced and shared about paper-making experiences or participate in interesting training courses and tutorials on traditional paper-making. Don't worry about accommodation if you're taking a long course as Kamikoya also provides comfortable accommodation for participants.

● Address: 1678 Otado, Yusuhara, Takaoka-gun, Kochi 785-0603, Japan
TEL: 0889-68-0355
● Email: info@kamikoya-washi.com
● Opening hours: 9:00 - 18:00
● Making paper flowers: children over 5 years old can also participate in this fun experience. Create your own paper with flowers and natural materials like soil and bark.
- Price: 8000 yen/ 2 people; 10500 yen/ 3 people; 12000 yen/ 4 people; 5 or more people: 2500 yen/person (Price includes tax)
- Note: Reservations only accept 2 or more people, maximum 12 people, if the group is more than 12 people, please consult the workshop; It took about 2 hours for the experience.
● Learn how to make traditional paper: an extended course for those who want to learn how to make handmade Washi. The tuition fee includes tuition, accommodation, meals and does not incur any additional fees.
- Course 2 days 1 night: 47500 yen/person; 2 people: 35500 yen/person; 3 people: 33000 yen/person; 4 people: 30000 yen/person; 5 people or more: 27000 yen/person
- Course 3 days 2 nights: 40750 yen/person; 2 people: 33750 yen/person; 3 people: 31250 yen/person; 4 people: 28250 yen/person; 5 people or more: 25750 yen/person
- Note: If you do not need accommodation and meals, please contact the workshop. Bring your own pajamas and personal belongings
● Live instruction: 40000 yen/person (takes about 4 hours)
● Website: https://kamikoya-washi.com/english

4. Ino-cho Paper Museum
This museum displays materials and tools used in traditional paper making in Tosa, along with explanatory notes on the history and culture. Here you can create your own unique washi. If you want to buy souvenirs for your family and friends, you can visit the shop selling products from Kochi washi here.

● Address: 110-1 Saiwaicho, Ino, Agawa-gun, Kochi 781-2103, Japan
TEL: 088-893-0886
● Email: tosawasi@bronze.ocn.ne.jp
● Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Holidays: Every Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday); December 27 - January 4
● Cost:
- You will admire the technique of making nagashizuki paper
- 500 yen/adult; 100 yen/student under 17 years old; 250 yen/person over 65 years old (show proof of age)
● Paper making course:
- You will make your own sheets of paper by scooping pulp into a mold (called Suketa) then smoothing and drying to make a finished product.
- Time: 1 hour (30 minutes making + 30 drying) If you do not have time to wait for drying, there is a delivery service to your place (charges apply)
- Price 400 yen/person
- Note: for groups of 10 or more people need to book in advance
● On the first Sunday of every month, a paper making class using the nagashizuki technique will be held (with additional cost). With the guidance of professional papermakers, you can try your hand at making your own colored paper or postcards
● Website: https://kamihaku.com/en

Above, we have introduced you to places to visit to experience interesting traditional activities of Kochi Prefecture. Surely these experiences will make your visit to Kochi more special and profound. Please drop by if you are interested in these activities.