Mizuhiki Lesson
Iida Furusato Mizuhiki Industrial Arts Hall : ふるさと水引工芸館
Learn the Fine points of Mizuhiki in Iida, Birthplace of This Distinct Craft.
Southern Nagano
Description
Japan has a highly developed tradition of giftwrapping, with an ornate system of tying the gifts with decorative cords called "Mizuhiki". Iida City is the center of Mizuhiki production in Japan, and at the Iida Furusato Mizuhiki Industrial Arts Hall, you can see how intricate the Mizuhiki world is. To further appreciate this cord art heritage, you can take a lesson on how to tie Mizuhiki.
Recommendation
The Iida Furusato Mizuhiki Industrial Arts Hall is dedicated to preserving the tradition of Mizuhiki, Japan's paper cord art tradition. The craft has historically been centered around Nagano's Iida City. The center features displays of over 1000 mizuhiki items, including some offered for sale. There is even a life-sized wedding dress made entirely of Mizuhiki. In addition, there are Mizuhiki-making demonstrations by master craftsmen. Classes are also for learning the techniques to make Mizuhiki yourself. Sample programs as follows:
Cell phone strap: 650 yen, 40 min (suitable for elementary age and older)
Chopstick holder: 400 yen, 15 min (from elementary age thru adult)
Promise Ring: 400 yen, 30 min (from elementary age and older)
Details
- Hours
- 8:30-17:00
- Date(s)
- Open daily throughout the year.
- Cost / Price of Admission
- As above
- Time Required
- +15 min
- Reservations
- Required(Required)
- # of Participants
- 1-40
- Foreign Languages
- (Interpreter required.)
- Luggage Storage
- Available
Notes
Instruction is only in Japanese, but instructors are used to teaching non-Japanese speakers.
Contact
tel : +81(0)265-25-5222fax : +81(0)265-25-3724Official site
Access / Location
- By Train
- From Iida Station(JR Iida Line), 15 min. by taxi
- By Car
- From Iida IC, Go west on Route 153 to Iida Inter Nishi signal. Turn left at the Nakamura signal, go under the expressway and the Center will be on the left (2.9km, 6 min.).
- Address
- 1287 Nakamura, Iida 395-0156
Nearby Attractions
Sightseeing Spots
- Narai-juku Post Town : "Narai of a Thousand Houses" -- Longest Post Town in all of Japan.
- Yokokawa Gorge : Picturesque Gorge Famous for Vibrant Spring and Fall Colors.
- Suwa Grand Shrine Kamisuwa Honmiya (Main Hall) : Historical Shrine of the Great Pillars Festival
- Suwa Garasunosato (Glass Center) : Japan's Largest Glass Art-Related Activities Center
- Shinano Wine (Winery Tour) : Third Generation Winery
Accommodation
- Ryukyo-tei on the Tenryu River : Hotel Perched on a Cliff above the Picturesque Tenryu Gorge
- Yoshino-tei on the Tenryu River : Secluded Inn Overlooking the Tenryu River
- Keigetsu in Hirugami Onsen : Traditional Japanese Inn with Accents of Local Wood Furnishings Throughout.
- Hotel Kisoji in Nagiso : Onsen Resort Hotel embracing the history and natural beauty of the Kiso Region.
- Tsumago's Ryokan Matsushiroya : Two Century-old Inn Featuring Traditional Cuisine in Historical Tsumago-juku.
Restaurants
- Yoshimuraya : Handmade Soba Noodle Restaurant in Tsumago-juku Post Town.
- Chuo Alps Tozan-Guchi Meiji-tei : At the Base of the Chuo Alps, Sauce-Katsu with their own Original Sauce.
- Soba Kurumaya : Classic Kiso Hand-made Soba Shop with a 300-Year History.
- Bistro Matsushima-tei : Historical Post Town Building Reborn as Italian.
- Farm Restaurant Tomato no Ki : Buffet-style Restaurant with Views of the Southern Alps.
Activities
- Apple Picking in Iida's Sanwa Orchard : Fruit-Picking and Apple Pie Baking at this Large Orchard.
- Experience Southern Nagano's Historical Past : Hands-On Activities to Experience the Historical Past of Southern Nagano.
- Japanese Confectionary (Wagashi) Making : Making ‘Wagashi’ Is an Art – Iida’s Famous Confectionary Shop Teaches the Techniques.
- See and Take Part in Japanese Puppetry at the Iida Puppet Festa : Watch a Puppet Show in Iida, One of Japan’s Top Puppetry Centers.
- Tenryu River Rhein Boat Ride : Leisurely Boat Ride through the Beautiful Tenryu River Gorge.