Yajiro Kokeshi Village (Kokeshi doll painting experience) Discover kokeshi doll history, traditions, and craftsmanship

Focuses on Yajiro kokeshi dolls from Kamasaki Onsen, known for their large heads and vivid stripes. The experience includes a special explanation and technique demonstration from an artisan, a visit to the workshop, and the chance to paint an original kokeshi doll using the same type of brushes and electric lathe used by the artisans.

Details

Plan Price

Kokeshi doll painting experience and wooden base materials fee: ¥1,600 per person (same price for adults and children)

Group rates
Demonstration viewing and instruction in kokeshi doll painting: ¥52,500
A 10% facility use and materials fee (includes kokeshi painting materials)

What’s Included: Demonstration viewing fee, painting experience instruction fee, facility use fee (10% of total cost), arrangement fee

Not Included: Transportation, insurance, personal expenses (beverages, etc.)

Set Dates: April 1, 2025–early January 2026 (except Wednesdays).

Excluded Date: Wednesdays, the New Year’s holiday period (December 29–January 1). Also late January through early March, as special event hosting takes place during this time.

Time Length: About 2 hours

Meeting Place&Time: Please come to the Chuo Kenshu room on the second floor of the Honkan building by the appointed start time.*
*We require that you contact us in the event you expect to arrive later than your reserved start time.

Map

Min. # of Participation: 2 people

Max. # of Participants: 10 people

Supoported Languages: Japanese*
*In the event support for a language other than Japanese is required, please come accompanied by an interpreter.

Plan Details

The kokeshi doll, born in the Tohoku region first as a toy, took on new life as an item travelers visiting the hot springs of the region would take back with them as a souvenir. Yajiro kokeshi shares this same history. Created in the Kamasaki Onsen hot springs village of Shiroishi, Miyagi, they are counted among the traditional kokeshi dolls of Miyagi Prefecture.

Distinctive characteristics of Yajiro kokeshi include a large head and vividly colored stripes painted in sets of two or three on the body and head. Originally made as a children’s toy, the dolls are now widely purchased and appreciated by adults as objects for viewing.

In this experience, not only hear a special explanation by a kokeshi doll artisan, but also observe their techniques at work via a demonstration in their workshop. Visitors also get to paint their own original kokeshi doll using the same kind of brushes and electric lathe the artisans themselves do.

Course Details

1*. Exhibition room viewing
In the exhibition room, kokeshi dolls from each area of the Tohoku region, not just Yajiro kokeshi, are on display. You will be able to appreciate the regional differences with your own eyes. Listen to a valuable explanation from one of the artisans about the history, process of making Yajiro kokeshi, and their many charms.

2*. Workshop visit
Watch artisans at work in the Yajiro kokeshi workshop. Observing the detailed processes and techniques the artisans use—things which aren’t usually possible to see—visitors will come to understand and appreciate kokeshi dolls more deeply. Then, visit the gift shop where kokeshi dolls just made by our artisans can be purchased.
*During the workshop visit, it is also possible to paint a koma top while spinning it on a lathe.

3*. Kokeshi doll painting experience
Move to the Chuo Kenshu room on the second floor of the Honkan building of Yajiro Kokeshi Village, where you can paint kokeshi doll. Using the same type of brushes and electric lathe that artisans use, use a lathe to paint lines on the doll body, and paint the doll head in the vivid colors characteristic of Yajiro kokeshi.
Learn the fundamental painting techniques from an artisan, then, making use of colors and your imagination, freely paint an original design on your very own kokeshi doll.

*Please be aware that the order of the aforementioned activities may vary depending on conditions on date of tour.

Necessary When making a reservation

1. Name of group

2. Name of representative

3. Name and contact information of someone who can definitely be reached on day of tour

4. Desired tour time, number of participants

Other(Notes)

– On the day of your tour, please follow the instructions of our staff members.

– Although we are able to accept groups of up to 20, because there is a limit to the number of people who can use the electric lathe, there is a possibility that the hands-on experience time may be shortened

Cancellation Policy: No cancellation fee

Closing Date: 30 days prior to desired tour date

Operating Company: Yajiro Kokeshi Business Cooperative (Shiroishi Yajiro Kokeshi Village)
Tel/Fax：0224-26-3993
Email：y-kokesi@ji.jet.ne.jp
Business hours April–October: 9 AM–5 PM
November–March: 9 AM–4 PM

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)