A special experience, limited to one group per day
Traditional seal carving and washi paper making
Seals have been a part of Japanese tradition since ancient times and have been used in everyday life.
Engraved letters on the seal represent your identity.
Even seals are becoming obsolete due to digitalization,
Harada Shokodo is passionate about the beauty and meaning of the seal culture in Japan.
For conveying the joy of seal and stamping.
We have prepared a special experience course for you.
Not only curving your own seal, we also offer you to make beautiful washi paper, which is essential for seals.
And also learning the meaning of kanji and designs of the seals.
Once choosing your own letters with the craftsman,
You will then carve the piece yourself after it has been marked with a brush.
To conclude the event, a seal ceremony was held with vermilion.
You can also enjoy a moment at the tea ceremony.
Make a reservation here
Seal curving experience + Japanese paper making + tea ceremony
Handmade Japanese paper (1 hour 30 minutes) + History of Seal Museum visit (1 hour) + Seal curving (including tea ceremony as a closing of the event, 1 hour 30 minutes)
The price (tax included) is for one person.
Select the number of people and the date and time.
Choose options
About the contents of the experience and the required time
① Handmade Japanese paper experience (1.5 hours)
You will make washi paper together with artisans at the Yamaju Paper workshop in Nishijima, a nearby washi-producing area.
Compared to regular paper, Japanese washi paper has firmer fibers, so the vermilion is less likely to bleed and the print appears vivid.
You can also print photos saved on your phone onto the finished washi paper. Why not try printing out a memorable photo?
The experience of using pure mountain water in a quiet workshop surrounded by the mountains is a relaxing experience.
② Learn about history and culture (1 hour)
After the handmade paper-making experience, head to Kamisuki Park and the Seal Museum .
With President Harada as your guide, you can learn about the history and culture of washi paper and seals. (we provide the car for transportation. )
At Kamisuki Park, you can learn about the history of washi paper through hands-on exhibits.
In addition to having lunch, you can also purchase miscellaneous goods and various types of washi paper produced by Nishijima's washi paper workshop at the souvenir shop.
At the Seal Museum, you can learn about the history of seals that Ichikawa Misato Town has cultivated by looking at documents from that time.
③ Seal making experience (1.5 hours)
now it is time to curve your own seal.
This is a special experience where you will be given one-on-one instruction from a skilled seal craftsman and will come into contact with the depths of seals and Kanji characters.
You will choose the letters then the skilled craftsman will inscribe them with a brush, and then carve them by yourself using specialized tools.
To enjoy the finished product, stamp it in vermilion on the Japanese paper you made earlier of the day.
To conclude the experience, we will offer guest the tea ceremony in the Harada Shokodo tea room, enjoying matcha green tea and sweets.
The process of making a seal
Choosing a stone
The stone on which the seal is carved is
Parin stone and Seiden stone.
Each stone has a different pattern, so try to find one you like.
Select the letter to engrave
You can also have your name or any other words engraved.
Our craftsmen will explain the origin of the characters and suggest the perfect seal script from a wide range of options for you.
For customers from overseas, we will work together to find kanji that match the meaning of the name and the sound of the words.
Carving letters
The craftsman will carve along the lines drawn in ink.
The craftsmanship of beautifully drawn letters without any drafts is a must-see.
The tools used in the experience are traditional tools that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Our craftsmen will carefully support you, teaching you how to use the tools and tips on how to carve.
stamping ceremony
Once you have finished carving the characters, you will move to the Japanese-style room and stamp your completed personalized seal using the Japanese paper.
Stamping means to affix a seal.
Harada Shokodo offers four types of red ink inspired by the four seasons.
Depending on how much red ink is applied and how hard it is pressed onto the paper, the color and fading will vary from piece to piece, allowing you to enjoy different textures.
Tea ceremony
After all the experiences, as a closing special event day,
we offer you tea ceremony in the Japanese tea room.
Please enjoy Japanese hospitality with matcha and Japanese sweets.
To commemorate the experience
You will also receive a small bag for seal made with fabric from Fujiyoshida, a region with a thriving textile industry, as well as ink, ink pad, and a stamping mat.
The meaning of the characters carved and the date will be printed on the washi paper you make during the experience before the stamping ceremony.
Why not put it in a photo frame and display it at home as a memento of your trip?
Frequently asked questions about the experience
No problem. We only accept one group per day, so please feel free to join us without worrying about others. Some people choose to make a seal as a gift for their child. We would be honored if it becomes a memory for your family.
The organizer, Harada Shokodo, will accompany you by car including tranportation between workshop and station.
We are not fluent in the foreign language, but we will assist you by using translation apps, etc. Above all, we will do our best to provide our customers who are interested in seal culture with heartfelt hospitality so that they can participate as comfortably as possible.
Yes, of course. We also ship overseas. Some people order from overseas as gifts for friends and family.
If you let us know in advance or on the day, we will be happy to provide something simple like water.
ACCESS
Access to Harada Shokodo
〒409-3244
2089 Iwama, Ichikawamisato-cho, Nishiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
By train
Get off at Kaiiwama Station on the JR Minobu Line and walk for about 420m (approx. 6 minutes)
If coming from Kofu
Please take Fujikawa No. 8, arriving at 13:10, or the local train, arriving at 13:22.
If coming from Shizuoka
Please take Fujikawa No. 5, arriving at 13:31.
If you contact us in advance, we will pick you up at the station.
By car: 2 minutes from Rokugo Interchange on the Chubu-Odan Expressway; 35 minutes from Kofu Minami Interchange on the Chuo Expressway; Parking: 10 spaces
Nature, culture, art, industry
Enjoy the charm of Yamanashi Prefecture
1. Stamp making experience & water: About 60 minutes by car from Hakushu Harada Shokodo, you can encounter the mountains and water that are famous for their natural spring water. Enjoy the softness of mineral water and whiskey.
② Stamp making experience & wine grapes: About 50 minutes by car from Katsunuma Harada Shokodo, we will visit one of Japan's leading wine producing regions. We will have a tasting and shopping session there, where you can enjoy the delicate and refreshing taste of wine that goes well with Japanese cuisine.
3. Stamp Making Experience & Textile Weaving: Fujiyoshida, about a 60-minute drive from Harada Shokodo, is a town of small factories that continues to preserve beautiful weaving techniques. At the end of the main street, you can see the impressive Mount Fuji, and enjoy the local specialty, "Yoshida Udon."
4. Stamp Making Experience & Nature: About a 70-minute drive from Hokuto Harada Shokodo, this town at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains has been slightly influenced by Western culture. Enjoy delicious dairy products, mountain hiking, and the magnificent view of Mount Fuji in the distance.
5. Stamp Making Experience & Fuji Five Lakes: About a 40-minute drive from Harada Shokodo, you can see five different lakes. Stay near a lake and enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji in the early morning, or walk around feeling the water.
⑥ Stamp Making Experience & Washi Paper: About a 5-minute drive from Nishijima Harada Shokodo, you can enjoy a washi paper making experience and shopping at a specialty store.
