Wakayanagi Jiori Factory Tour

Tour the Chibako Textile Workshop, the sole remaining manufacturer of the traditional cotton fabric Wakayanagi Jiori. The fabric is woven using the Toyota-type narrow-width iron power loom (Y-type), invented over 100 years ago by Sakichi Toyota. The tour provides an introduction to the history and techniques from the third-generation owner. Due to operating machinery, the experience is limited to junior high school students and older for safety reasons. All participants receive a souvenir of Wakayanagi Jiori textiles.

Details

Plan Price: ¥2,700 per person

What’s Included: Tour fee, lecture fee, souvenir, Parking fee, arrangement fee

Not Included: Transportation

Set Dates: Year-round*
April 1–September 30: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
October 1–March 31: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
*Please inquire in advance

Excluded Date: Irregular

Time Length: About 1 hour

Meeting Place&Time: Meeting location: Chiba Koki Textile Workshop
Meeting time: 10 minutes prior to reservation start time
Location address: 12 Kawakita Tsukanokoshi, Wakayanagi, Kurihara-shi, Miyagi-ken
Transit access
15 minutes by car from JR Kurikoma-Kogen Station
25 minutes by car from Tsukidate IC of Tohoku Expressway
10 minutes by car from Wakayanagi-Kannari IC of Tohoku Expressway

Map

Min. # of Participation: 1 person

Max. # of Participants: 10 people

Supoported Languages: Japanese (In the event English-language support is required, please inquire.)

Plan Details

Wakayanagi Jiori is a traditional cotton fabric that was actively produced mainly in Wakayanagi, Kurihara City from the Meiji to Taisho periods. It is still woven using the Toyota-type narrow-width iron power loom (Y-type), invented by Sakichi Toyota, founder of Toyota, over 100 years ago, resulting in a unique texture and feel that cannot be found anywhere else.
Currently, Chibako Textile Workshop is the sole remaining manufacturer still carrying out the traditional production techniques of Wakayanagi jiori. Learn about the Wakayanagi Jiori production process and the special characteristics of the Y-type loom, about dedication to craftsmanship and techniques passed down through generations, from third-generation owner Takayori Chiba.

*Please note that there are some locations where actual machinery will be used, so for safety reasons, the experience is limited to junior high school students and older.

Course Details

1.Lecture and factory tour
Receive an introduction to the history and special characteristics of Wakayanagi Jiori from Mr. Chiba. Together with the history of Toyota, which has deep ties to Wakayanagi Jiori, learn about the special characteristics and workings of the Y-type Toyota iron single-breadth automatic loom. It is a valuable opportunity to observe traditional production techniques up close.

*All participants in the factory tour will receive a souvenir of Wakayagi Jiori textiles from Chiba Koki Textile Factory (included in the fee).

2.Souvenir shopping
Though Wakayanagi Jiori was once widely used as a fabric for agricultural work clothes, its use has now expanded to diverse applications such as indoor garments and accessories such as neckties, card cases, and kinchaku drawstring handbags.
After visiting the factory, enjoy the soft, simple texture of Wakayanagi Jiori as you shop for items which catch your eye to take home with you.

Necessary When making a reservation

1. Desired date of time

2. Number of participants

3. Name of lead traveler or representative

4. Contact information of lead traveler or representative

Other(Notes)

-Because there is no restroom available on site, we ask that you take care of that prior to arrival.

-Regarding English-language support, we allow tour participants to come accompanied by a guide from their travel agency, an interpreter, or a multilingual Japanese speaker.

-As there will be locations where actual machinery will be used, for safety reasons the experience is limited to junior high school students and older. We ask for your understanding.

-If there are more than 10 people participating, please contact us in advance.

Cancellation Policy: 3 days prior to tour date: 30%
2 days prior to tour date: 20%
1 day before tour date: 50%
Day-of cancellation or no show: 100%

Closing Date: 14 days prior to desired date

Operating Company: Chiba Koki Kigyojo (Head contact: Chiba)
Tel / Fax：0228-32-3087
Business Hours: April – September: 10:00am – 4:00pm
October – March: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Inquiries: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Federation
14th floor of the Miyagi Prefectural Government Building, 3-8-1, Hon-cho, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan 〒980-8570
Tel: +81-22-221-1864　Fax: +81-22-211-2829
Email: dmo@miyagi-kankou.or.jp
Business Days: Monday to Friday
Business Hours: 8:30 am – 5:15 pm (JST)