Traditional Japanese Washi Papermaking- Kyoto morning

About this tour

Learn kamisuki, the centuries-old technique of hand-pulling Japanese washi paper, in central Kyoto. This 60-minute workshop guides you through forming delicate sheets from natural fibres, then pressing seasonal flowers into the wet surface. You'll leave with handmade paper suited to framing, gifting or repurposing. The studio sits minutes from three metro stations, welcoming all ages and fitness levels with bilingual instruction.

Highlights

• Pull your own sheet of washi from fibre suspension
• Press seasonal blooms into wet paper surface
• Take home finished handmade paper creation
• Learn 1,400 years of papermaking craft
• Nine-minute walk from Shijo or Karasuma stations
• English and Japanese instruction throughout

What to expect

You'll start with a brief introduction to kamisuki's history and technique. The instructor demonstrates the pulling motion—a rhythmic lift and drain that forms the paper sheet. You'll then practise the method yourself, feeling how the fibres bond. Once your base sheet is ready, you arrange fresh flowers or grasses onto the wet surface before a final press. The paper is then left to dry. The whole process is tactile and unhurried; expect your hands to get wet and your focus to narrow to the work itself.

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