A Day to Experience Hand Crafting in Aizu, a City of Manufacturing

A historical city, Aizu, is also known as a region where a mature local culture has been developed and the spirit of “manufacturing” is well alive. From the folk crafts, ‘Akabeko’ (赤べこ, toy and talisman in the shape of a red cow) and ‘Okiagarikoboshi’ (起き上がりこぼし, a traditional roly-poly toy) to the traditional craft ‘Aizu-nuri’ (会津塗, Japanese lacquerware made in Aizu area ) that is pretty popular tableware in Japanese households, the city has a lot to offer. You can of course find your favorite handicrafts, but it should be much more fun to make them yourself. If you’re interested, let’s look at some recommended handmade experience spots in Aizuwakamatsu area.

Each spot is easily accessible with a single bus ride from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station which is the closest one from Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel.

“Suzuzen Shikki-ten” allowing you to experience traditional culture through the experience of Aizu-nuri lacquer work

Aizu-nuri or Aizu-shikki (会津漆器, shikki refers to tableware manufactured in a traditional way of Japanese lacquer), one of the traditional crafts handed through generation by generation in the Aizu region, is light, durable, familiar and easy to use, and has long been loved as a container for everyday use. And at “Suzuzen Shikki-ten” (鈴善漆器店), a long-established wholesaler having been dealing such Aizu-nuri lacquerware since its foundation in 1832, you can purchase products in various price ranges and also enjoy artworks and historical materials showcased unique to lacquerware wholesalers. There is also a workshop in which you can color your favorite pattern on an Aizu-shikki container using a substitute Japanese lacquer that is rash-free. Since the experienced employees will patiently teach you the painting technique, even those who have never been familiarized with the traditional crafts can experience it. Why don’t you make your own Aizu-shikki and bring the spirit of Aizu back home?

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 4:00PM / Irregular holidays
Experience Fee	1900 yen and above / person *Two or more persons are good to experience
Address	1-3-28 Chuo, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 1-minute walk from Yubinkyokumae Bus stop which is 4-stop away on #351 or #352 bus from Wakamatsu Ekimae Bus stop (in front of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station)
URL	https://aizuwakamatsu.mylocal.jp/ca/trip/spot-list/-/spotdetail/spotinfo/1000000129/3999487

“Lotus Wood Village” where even kids can enjoy more than 30 types of handicraft experiences

If you care to casually enjoy hand-crafting with kids, “Lotus Wood Village” is the place to visit. You can enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee with Vietnamese Bat Trang cups, have your kids play at the outdoor wooden playsets, as well as enjoy various handicrafts using wooden parts. The most popular course is the painting experience of the ‘Aizu no Miyage series’, in which you get to experience painting Aizu crafts as a motif on wooden toys. You will definitely be so much into making one and only handicrafts such as a wooden roly-poly toy or an Akabeko motif strap. It is truly recommended for those who are traveling with kids.

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 5:00PM / Closed on Mondays, Thursdays and during New Year Holidays
Experience Fee	600 yen and above / person
Address	1-3-28 Chuo, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 1-minute walk from Aizu Machikata Denshoukan-mae Bus stop which is 1-stop away on Haikarasan loop bus from Wakamatsu Ekimae Bus stop (in front of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station)
URL	https://www.lotusjapan.org/12514124941238912367124262030739443124591250112455-lotuswoodvillage.html

Design your own Akabeko the way you like at “Bansho”

THE folk toy in the Aizu region of Fukushima, the famous papier-mâché ‘Akabeko’, is also a lucky charm for keeping evil spirits away, passed down for about 1200 years. At “Bansho”, you can not only observe the work scene where craftsmen create the papier-mâché from Washi paper by hand, but also experience coloring an Akabeko the way you like. Since you can color from the scratch on the white background, it should be exciting to design unique patterns such as zebra or Dalmatian patterns that are never found at shops out there. Compare your work with others and talk about why you colored your Akabeko the way you did. Since how you design your Akabeko literally embodies your personality, there might be a discovery in your partner or friends you are traveling with. In addition, you can also experience painting the clay bell of Aizu’s popular local mascot ‘Akabe’ (あかべぇ). Besides, a wide range of Akabeko products is available for souvenirs.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 5:00PM on weekdays / 9:30AM – 4:30PM on weekends and national holidays / Irregular holidays
Experience Fee	Akabeko coloring 900 yen / Akabe clay bell coloring 1,200 yen
Address	1-6-3 Wada, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 1-minute walk from Wada Bus stop which is a 6-stop away on Akabe loop bus from Wakamatsu Ekimae Bus stop (in front of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station)
URL	http://www8.plala.or.jp/akabeco/