Tours & Activities Local Culture Experience
Wara-Zaiku (Traditional Straw Craft): Making Waraji (Japanese Straw Sandals)
Learn the Ancient Craft of Wara-Zaiku from the Master Craftsman Who Makes Japan’s Sumo Rings
In the heart of the Ina Valley, with stunning views of the Central Alps, Mr. Sakai, creates handmade items out of rice straw. He is a master craftsman of wara-zaiku. This ancient craft is hugely important to Japanese tradition and faith. It goes back well over a thousand years. These days wara-zaiku is close to extinction, but Mr. Sakai works tirelessly to revitalize the craft to pass it on to future generations.
Mr. Sakai plies his trade in Iijima Town, a gorgeous little rice farming town with lots of sunlight and some of the best mountain views in all of Japan. During the Edo Period, this area paid its taxes in rice. The farmers also made products out of the straw for daily use and extra income.
One such item was a humble straw sandal called a waraji. Waraji were once the primary footwear all over Japan. They were cheap, light, and hardy. Most people in the countryside could make their own. Now very few people with the skill remain. It is said that a farmer would get through 100 pairs of waraji a year. While a running messenger could get through three pairs in a day.



In this unique experience, you will make a pair of waraji for yourself. After learning about wara-zaiku, Mr. Sakai will teach you to create your very own pair of straw sandals. Afterward, you’ll try them out along with other traditional items made out of straw. There will be time to take photos of you in your rural, straw outfit before the tour ends.
Feel free to actually use your waraji to hike with after the tour. The Ina Valley is right next to the Kiso Valley, with the ancient Nakasendo Road running through it. This area is famous for its historical hikes. Nothing would be more fitting than using a pair of waraji on the Nakasendo. You could also bring it with you as a souvenir, or hang it at a shrine to bring you safe travels. Whatever you decide, the skills you will have learned will have helped to keep the craft of warazaiku alive. And for that, we are ever grateful.
HIGHLIGHTS
► Create: Make your own waraji under the instruction of Mr. Sakai. Mr. Sakai is a master craftsman of warazaiku. He makes the rings used at major sumo tournaments in Japan.

► History: The venue of this experience is a building called jinya. It’s a reconstruction of the area’s local magistrate’s office from the Edo Period. Feel the presence of the warlords and samurai. Learn about law and order in the Edo Period from the place where justice was served.

► Experience: Try on your new waraji along with various other historical items of the countryside made out of straw. Take some time to take photos of yourselves in the beautiful area. The photos taken by Mr. Sakai will be sent to you via email after the tour.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
"The stories of Mr. Sakai, a top Sumo ring craftsman, are splendid!"
WHAT IS INCLUDED
► Waraji workshop

► Translator fee

► Facility rental fee

► Traditional items to wear

► Photographs (sent by email after the tour)
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
► Transportation to/from the meeting point

► Insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country)

► Anything else not specified (the bank transaction fee shall be covered by the customer)
Experience facility information
Price
Adult (19yrs and above):12,400JPY
Children (6 to 18yrs):12,250JPY
Experience time
About 3.5 hours
(start/end time:13:00/16:30)
Capacity
Minimum:4
Maximum:15
Booking
Advanced booking only (at least 14 days prior)

※This activity/tour will be available for you to purchase from April 2022.
Contact
Nagano Ina Valley Tourism Bureau
k-dmo@union-kamiina.jp
SHARE