Things to see in Hirokawa
See the artisans' traditional craft skills
Kurume Kasuri Textiles
Kurume Kasuri is a cotton textile, woven by dyed threads. To finish a roll (12 meters) of textile, it takes 2-3 months through a process of around 30 steps.
Yame Sudare
Yame Sudare are interior decoration blinds made with natural bamboo from the Yame area and woven by hand with a loom.
See around Hirokawa
Sample tour itinerary
[Artisan of traditional crafts]
Visit Yame Sudare Manufacturer
Established in 1912. We will visit a factory, which manufactures blinds used for interior partitions, windows, and ceiling decorations. We will see the artisans' traditional technique, which is highly valued for its reliability and quality. It has been used for ceiling materials of sightseeing trains (Nishitetsu The Rail Kitchen Chikugo), adopted by Kengo Kuma and exported overseas.
Activity Information
Yame Sudare "Workshop Tour & Weaving Activity (with a place mat souvenir)"
Reservations→Time required : Approx. 1 hour
Price : 5,500 yen per person
Date of event : Weekdays, 9:30 - 16:00
Application deadline : 7 days prior
Shikada Sangyo Co., Ltd.
@sustainable_texture_shikada
[Highlights of Hirokawa]
Gerbera (Transvaal daisy)
Hirokawa is one of the largest transvaal daisy producing areas in Western Japan. A wide variety of them, such as pink, yellow, red, orange, white etc., are shipped from Hirokawa throughout Japan. Visit gerbera producers and discover your favorite varieties of rarely seen flowers.
[Side trip spots]
Gerberas that cannot be shipped to the market due to being non-standard can be purchased for 20 yen per piece!
Hirokawa Gerbera Workshop Unmanned Farm Stand
MAP
Business hours : 10:00 - 17:00 (closed on Thursdays and Sundays)
[Artisan of traditional crafts]
Visit Kurume Kasuri Workshop
Kurume Kasuri is a fabric made by dyeing threads with natural "indigo" dye and "weaving them by hand". It is characterized by its soft texture and fine patterns. It is a moving experience to see the moment when the thread is dyed blue up close.
Additionally, let's visit the weaver who produces Kurume Kasuri using "chemical dyes" and "machine weaving". The sight of various colors and patterns of Kurume Kasuri being woven one after another in a factory where the lively sound of vintage weaving machinery that have been carefully maintained echoes is impressive.
Activity Information
In addition to workshop tours, there are also weaving factories where you can experience indigo dyeing and weaving. If you wish to visit or experience, please contact each weaving factory directly.
Studio Tour - Textile studio with dyeing workshop
WEB
Kasuri Kobo “Ai no Uta”
Tomihisa Textile
Workshop tour, Indigo dyeing activity, Weaving activity
@kasuri.tomi
Reservations→
[Highlights of Hirokawa]
Fruit
Hirokawa is also famous for their fruit like strawberries, peaches, grapes, apples, persimmons and various others that grow throughout the year. Enjoy seasonal fruit picking and sweets made with fresh fruit.
Activity Information
For the latest information on farm stands and fruit picking, please contact each farm.
Farmers' market DOROYA (shopping)
@shinsen.doroya
Satono-eki Hirokawa Fruit Village (shopping / strawberry picking)
@hirokawakudamonomura
Hirokawa Strawberry Farm (strawberry picking)
@hirokawa.15
Peach Forest (shopping / Shine Muscat grape picking)
@pitiko2018
[Highlights of Hirokawa]
Hirokawa Aisai Market
A shopping spot where you can find products from all 11 Kurume kasuri workshops in Hirokawa. Looking at them after learning the story of artisans on the tour, you will be even more interested in the differences in pattern and texture. Let's find your favorites! Staff who are familiar with the characteristics of each artisan are there to assist you.
[Side trip spots]
Hirokawa Aisai Market
MAP
Business hours : 9:00 - 17:00 (closed on Tuesdays)
We also recommend café time in the new building.
Hirokawa Sato Cafe Machiko no Oyatsu
@machiko082
Business hours : 10:00 - 17:00 (closed on Tuesdays)
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Visits/Trips to Hirokawa
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