Washi Papermaking in Hakone: Make Your Own Japanese Art

Make washi instead of buying it

Create your own washi artwork at Washinoiori studio in Hakone using Echizen washi, a traditional Japanese craft with over 1,000 years of history. The studio sits a 5-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station. You choose one format (decorative board, handprint art, or two postcards) work with an English-speaking instructor for about 50 minutes, and take your finished piece home immediately. Groups run up to four people. Private sessions for five or more are available by the hour.

The experience

Washinoiori is an indoor studio, so weather never stops you. You walk in, meet your instructor, and start working with the pulp right away. The studio offers three formats: a decorative board (shikishi), handprint art, or a pair of postcards. Which one you pick shapes what you make, but all three teach the same core technique. An English-language DVD guides you through the steps if you need it, though the instructor is there to answer questions and help you troubleshoot as you work.

The whole session runs about 50 minutes from start to finish. Your piece dries fast enough that you carry it out the door when you leave: no waiting for shipping, no coming back later. For solo travelers or pairs, the standard sessions run at fixed times throughout the day (10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm). If you're traveling as a group of five or more, the studio offers private hourly sessions where you can make five to seven pieces in the time slot, giving everyone in your party a chance to create something.

The studio location is the real convenience here. Hakone-Yumoto Station is the main hub for the area, and Washinoiori sits just five minutes on foot, so you can slot this into a morning or afternoon without reshaping your whole day. Children from age two onward can participate, and strollers are welcome if you need them.

What’s included

• Papermaking pulp.
• English-speaking instruction.
• your finished washi artwork ready to take home the same day.
• English-language DVD support if needed.

Options for this experience

2 options

Washi Papermaking WorkshopGuide in English or Japanese · 6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00

Private　-貸切-Guide in English or Japanese · 6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00Private sessions are offered: choose "Adult (1 person)" for a 50-minute one-on-one session (¥20,000), where you make 6–8 pieces.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Child (2 to 5 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by 和思工房「和紙の庵」

Is this one for you?The fixed time slots work for travelers adding this to a Hakone day without reshaping the schedule. If you're traveling as a group of five or more, the private hourly option lets everyone in your party make their own piece instead of sharing one session.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years); Child (2 to 5 years).

What is washi and why is Echizen washi special?

Echizen washi is a traditional Japanese papermaking craft with over 1,000 years of history. At Washinoiori, you work with the pulp and techniques that have defined this craft, creating a piece that carries that heritage rather than just buying a souvenir made by someone else.

Can I do this if I've never made paper before?

Yes. No previous experience or special skills are required. An instructor guides you through every step, and the English-language DVD support is there if you need it. The process is designed so beginners walk out with a finished piece.

How long does the whole experience take?

The session runs approximately 50 minutes. Your artwork is ready to take home immediately after, so there's no waiting or follow-up visit.

What are the three options I can choose from?

You pick one format when you book: a decorative board (shikishi), handprint art, or postcard making (two cards). Each one teaches the same washi technique but gives you a different finished product to take home.

Is the studio easy to reach from Hakone-Yumoto Station?

Washinoiori is a 5-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station, the main transportation hub in Hakone. Public transportation options are available nearby, so you can add this to your itinerary without arranging special transport.