Day Trip in Nishida, A Town of Art and Folkcrafts

Walk Around with Beautiful Views of Blooming Flowers

Sweet spring has come! Blossoms of plum, peach, and cherry are blooming. Here is the relaxing spot of suburb area in Koriyama City.

Nishida-machi is located about 30 minutes from downtown Koriyama by car. Despite that this town lies in the city, it feels like time passes more slowly here. It is a perfect place to day trip enjoying hanami [flower viewing], art appreciation, and sightseeing at the same time.

There are two recommended places, “Deko-Yashiki, a home of smiles and hospitality”, and “a privately-owned homemade Museum”. Their common characteristic is that you can forget about daily life and get relaxed. During this season in Japan, things go crazy busy. Which is exactly why we recommend you take time to visit!

Takashiba Deko-Yashiki [Dolls Crafters Studio House]

What is Takashiba Deko-Yashiki like?

Takashiba is a birthplace of traditional wooden horse crafts, Miharu-goma, and folk-art paper dolls, Miharu Hariko Ningyo. The word “Deko” means [doll], and “Miharu” is derived from a name of the domain, Miharu-han in Edo era. There are still four houses of dolls and wooden toy crafters here. They make Hariko dolls, Hariko masks, and Miharu-goma, keeping their tradition. Their unique culture is still rooted in this area. For example, their “Takashiba Shichifukujin Odori [Dance of Seven Deities]” and “Hyottoko Odori [Dance of Fire Man]” are selected as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Koriyama City. You can see nostalgic views and traditions of good old days in Japan.

Power Spots

Inside the hamlet of Deko-Yashiki, there are many shrines, miniature shrines, cherry blossom trees, and some power spots, too. The reason why they have succeeded in maintaining their tradition may be because they have been cherishing and protecting their folk deities and rituals. A walking event (participation fee needed), “Deko Walking” will show you each spot, being guided by one of the crafters. You may happen to hear rare stories from studio owners or their successors.

 

You might see Hyottko Dance that makes you giggle!

Hashimoto Hiroji Mingei [Folk Art Studio]

The studio is his working space and living house, opening for visitors during open hours. Once you step onto a tatami space from doma (an entrance space), it feels comfortable like you are visiting a relative’s house in the countryside.

If you find items you like, feel free to touch and take a closer look! Also, you can observe the process of making crafts. There are about 80 kinds of items such as dolls and ornaments of oriental zodiac signs, masks, etc. In a miniature museum next to the studio, old wooden molds from various studios, dolls made in Edo era, and other precious materials are stored and displayed.

Mr. Hiroji Hashimoto is an expert of “Hyottoko Dance”, performing at various events. He said his foundation of doll crafting and dancing had been built by knowledge and skills passed on from generations, and those inheritances had made him who he was. His efforts are still being continued, aiming at higher levels.

Here is a Hyottoko Dance video.↓

Tsurushibina is string decorations for traditional girl’s festival in Japan. At this studio, all the small ornaments of decorations are hariko paper crafts. They started making and selling this year. (Small 12,000JPY, Medium 20,000JPY, Large 35,000JPY All prices are tax included.) 3,000JPY for one string decorations.

A samurai warrior on horse looks brave. Perfect for boy’s day celebration. 12,000JPY

The themes of these dolls are Kabuki and traditional dance. Their dynamic poses and expressive faces are unspeakably pretty. Prices are 2,000-5,000JPY.

It is like pop art. Nonconventional and unique. The bright color and design will catch your eyes in the classic house.

Hashimoto Hiroji Mingei [Folk Art Studio]

Address: 41, Aza Fukuuchi, Takashiba, Nishida-machi, Koriyama City
Tel: 024-971-3900
Open Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
Closed Days: None (Open 365 days a year)

 

Folk Art Studio with Cute Manekineko (Lucky Cat Ornaments)

Honke Ebisuya

They have cute small size crafts, such as miniature masks, tumbling dolls, and zodiac signs items as well as orthodox ones.

Their other items are cute round bodied owl ornaments called “Fuku Fukurou [Lucky Owl]”, wild looking boars, tigers, red faced hens, dogs, etc. Each of them has a humorous face and it feels like they are talking to us. It doesn’t matter which zodiac sign you are. You will feel like collecting them. Perfect as a lucky gift, or for your collection.

When I was looking at Manekineko and other cat ornaments thinking they had plenty, a real cat showed up! It is picturesque to see a traditional house with a hearth and a cat.

“Men-kaburi Neko [A cat with a mask on its head]” is 800JPY. You can choose the mask you like. A single miniature mask is 500JPY. It is made of 6 sheets of washi papers.

Manekineko [Lucky Cat] 1,800 JPY, Fuku Fukurou [Lucky Owl] 1,800JPY

They have rare wooden molds displayed and carefully maintained.

If you are lucky, you may see the real lucky cat, Kote chan (black, female).

Honke Ebisuya

Address: 161, Aza Tateno, Takashiba, Nishida-machi, Koriyama City
Tel: 024-972-2204
Open Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
Closed Days: Thursdays

 

Come and visit! A Harmony of traditional and modern style.

Honke Daikokuya, Daikokuya Traditional House

They have kept making Miharu-goma and Hariko, maintaining their tradition for 300 years. Also, they are enthusiastically trying new things.

Head-in-hole Photo Board tickles your interest, doesn’t it?

Oriental zodiac signs are supposed to be 12, but there are 13 in a showcase. A cat is added since there is an old tale about a deceived cat that could not be one of them. It would be great for a cat item collection, too. The sitting cushion under the ornament is also handmade. They make one by one with care.

You can try a craft painting here. 864JPY for a Mame-daruma [miniature tumbling doll], 1,296JPY for each zodiac sigs ornament, 1,728JPY for Miharu-goma.

This old traditional house has a tall ceiling with open space. About 120 years old. They used to be engaged in sericulture, too.

Other highlights include: a real size Hariko white bear head made by a project a famous football player, Hidetoshi Nakata planned, modern and audacious Hariko created by a collaboration with a leading designer, Junko Koshino: “Tachiagare Pen [self-righting pen]” produced by a project of a great architect, Kengo Kuma. It is worth seeing the displayed exhibits for their bold designs and colors.

The master artist, Yurie is trying to paint Mame-daruma!! Miniature tumbling dolls are popular here because of their color variations. She really enjoyed painting with examples next to her.

Honke Daikokuya Deko-Yashiki Daikokuya Traditional House

Address: 163, Aza-Tateno, Takashiba, Nishida-machi, Koriyama City
Tel: 024-971-3176
Open Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
Closed Days: None (Open 365 days a year)

 

400 Years Old House Folk Art Studio with a Thatched Roof

Hikoji Folk Art Studio

You can recognize the studio by a nostalgic thatched roof. There is a big Miharu-goma beside a sign board.

Many antique clocks, lamps and other items placed on eaves, a ceiling, and walls indicate their long history.

The shadow picture artist, Seiji Fujishiro created an artwork of this thatched roofed house. The picture is stored at Seiji Fujishiro Museum.

At this studio, they make various folk art items, such as hariko ornaments of oriental zodiac signs, masks, tumbling dolls, etc. Wood carving horse, Miharu-goma was selected as the first stamp motif for Japanese new year’s cards.

Each Deko-Yashiki studio has its own characteristic, making different artworks for the same themes. One of the features of crafts at this studio is adorable “cuteness”, as well as their traditional style.

“Dai-chan Ningyo on Miharu-goma” made by the 10th owner, Takanobu, picking his son, Daisuke, as a model（Minimum 3,240JPY for 4寸: about 12cm）, ”Gakuto-kun Ningyo on Miharu-goma” made using the same mold（Minimum 3,240JPY for 4寸）

Feel free to try painting! 500JPY for a miniature tumbling doll, 1,000JPY for each hariko ornament(Oriental zodiac signs), 1,200JPY for Miharu-goma(3寸: about 9cm)

Sakura-goma painted in pink. Popular in spring. (Minimum 1,296JPY, Tax included)

Masamune Daruma & Mego-hime Daruma (Tumbling dolls, 1,620JPY for each, Tax included)

Hikoji Folk Art Studio

Address: 80-1, Aza Tateno, Takashiba, Nishida-machi, Koriyama City
Tel: 024-972-2412
Open Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
Closed Days: Thursdays (Open during the cherry blossom and new year season)

 

Teahouse in a town of plum tree blossoms. Come and eat!
Nostalgic spot of retro from Showa era.

Oichi Chaya (Roadside Eatery)

This is the place to take a break while walking around.

Inside the eatery looks like a Japanese version of old candies store kids used to stop by. They serve meals and snacks, and sell healthy products and local folk art items too. The healthy ones include: “Yakuzen Yaki Nin-niku”, tsukudani-like grilled garlic, cooked and seasoned with soy sauce, sugar and other ingredients, “Dattan Soba-cha”, tea of roasted buckwheat which has more rutin than normal ones, and “Inago Tsukudani”. They will prolong your life!

↓Inago Tsukudani

“Daijobu dah”, a famous joke made by a Japanese comedian, Ken Shimura, was created by getting inspired from the conversation between him and an old granny Oichi. He visited here for TV show shooting with an actress, Chiemi Hori, in the 61st year of Showa.

↓Old Glanny Oichi

・Dattan Soba Soft Serve (300JPY, Tax included)
The aroma of the roasted dattan buckwheat tea matches the vanilla flavor quite well. Sweet, but the aftertaste is refreshing and tasteful. Crispy roasted buckwheat on top gives a good accent.

・Deko Zaru Soba (Chilled Soba Noodles on a tray, 700JPY, Tax included)
A set of noodles and a specialty of Miharu, grilled fried tofu. Excellent soba noodles and crispy tofu will make you full!

・Oichi Dango Mochi (Skewered rice flour dumpling, Soy sauce flavor, 200JPY, Tax included )

Oichi Chaya

Address: 169, Aza Tateno, Takashiba, Nishida-machi, Koriyama City
Tel: 024-971-3907
Open Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
Closed Days: Thursdays

 

Yawaragi Museum in a Small Wood

Mild Art created by artists from various areas. Enjoy with your 5 senses.

You will see the museum house behind the tree of weeping cherry blossoms as walking up a slope. The shape of its roof shows a remnant of a thatched roof.

A stone sculpture sign with an owl on top. There is an appointment café next to the house.

“May everyone enjoy being surrounded by art in a natural and quiet environment…” This is the hope put in the sign sculpture.

This museum was opened on June 1st 2014. The beginning was when the owner, Ms. Oshima, purchased a painting about 20 years ago. Then she started feeling familiar with art, now has many artworks around her. Through meeting with gallery owners and artists, opening a museum became her dream, which became a reality after 5 years. She and her friends worked hard such as trimming bamboos in the backyard, splitting and sticking them on walls, etc. And then finally, the 120 years old house vacant for a long time, owned by her grandfather was renovated by her and her friends, and became a museum.

They left the dusky ceiling, pillars, floors, and hearth almost as they were. The light of an incandescent lamp gives us warmth. Artworks are placed at everywhere, and they will entertain you every time you visit. Sculptures are touchable. They also have a barrier-free bathroom.

Their exhibits are mainly from the owner’s collection, which include the exhibitions of “Yoshio Nagata”, “Denju Sugeno”, and “Kentaro Sato”. They also play dramas and hold recitals. This year is 5 years anniversary of this homemade museum.

“Nekoneko [CatCat]” painted with free brush strokes by Mr. Yoshio Nagata.

Artworks are not only in the house but in the yard.

Yawaragi Museum in a Small Wood

Address: 494, Aza Kami-ishido, Niita, Nishida-machi, Koriyama City
Tel: 080-5556-6988
Open Days: Sundays
Open Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
Entrance fee: None

 

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