Kurotani washi paper is a tradition that has been protected for 800 years, and is also designated an Intangible Cultural Property by Kyoto Prefecture.
At the Kurotani Washi Paper Hall, in addition to washi paper crafts for sale, you'll find papermaking activities (reservations required), and you can also tour the workship and exhibition room.
The Maple Leaf Festival is held with great pomp every November.
Kurotani is a nature-filled area—with the babbling of the Kurotani-gawa River, the singing of frogs, and the colorful carpet made by the gingko and maples in the fall—that's certainly worth visiting once.
You can also purchase washi paper crafts, tour workshops, and try your hand at papermaking at the Kurotani Washi Paper Crafts Hall (Tel: 0773-45-1056), which is only open on weekends in the Kanbayashi area.
- Tel
- 0773-44-0213 (Kurotani Washi Paper Cooperative) / 0773-45-1056 (Kurotani Washi Paper Crafts Hall)
- Address
- [Kurotani Washi Paper Hall] 3 Higashidani Kurotani-cho, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture
[Kurotani Washi Paper Crafts Hall] Tokuranabatake-cho, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture (Former Kuchikanbayashi Elementary School) - Access
- Bus: From JR Ayabe Station, take Aya Bus (Kurotani Line) to "Kurotani Washi Kaikan-mae" bus stop
Car: Go north from the Mikata Intersection on Route 27, and stop in front of Aya Bus' "Kurotani Washi Kaikan-mae" bus stop. - Business Hours
- [Kurotani Washi Paper Hall] 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.
[Kurotani Washi Paper Crafts Hall] 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Monday - Friday - Parking
- 3 car spaces