HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Neputa Lamp-Making Experience in Aomori
Make a lamp with washi paper from the colorful floats of one of Aomori Prefecture’s iconic summer festivals
Tohoku District Transport Bureau
Irodori is a colorful shop tucked away off the main street of Kuroishi City, which is lined with traditional wooden buildings and retro covered walkways.
Here, visitors can make unique lamps using washi paper from the floats of the local Kuroishi Neputa Festival in August, which has been passed down since at least the 18th century. The large, vivid floats that are paraded through the city after dark make for a spectacular sight. Each year, the floats are rebuilt, and in the past, the large pieces of painted washi were discarded. At Irodori, they breathe new life into old floats by upcycling them into unique lanterns and fans.
Create your own lamp by choosing from a wide range of colors, patterns, and designs. The staff will instruct you on how to carefully paste the pieces of washi onto wooden frames. When your craft is complete, the staff will carefully package your lamp for safe transport and include an LED light.
Once safely back from your visit to Japan, switch on the lamp and see how the painted designs come to life, bringing a little bit of the bright colors and excitement of Aomori’s summer Neputa festivals to your home.
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station (about 3 hours). From there, take the JR Ou Main Line train to Hirosaki Station (about 40 minutes), then switch to the Konan Line train to Kuroishi Station (about 40 minutes). The workshop is a 10-minute walk from Kuroishi Station.
38 Nakamachi, Kuroishi-shi, Aomori-ken
