Nakano Clay Doll Painting
Japan Clay Doll Museum : 日本土人形資料館
Paint Your Own Artistic Nakano Clay Doll.
Northern Nagano
Description
Nakano City's "Tsuchibina" clay dolls are cultural tradition in northern Nagano. Dating back to the Edo era, the dolls have delighted young and old alike for centuries. Use your creativity to contribute to the Nakano clay doll tradition and paint one of the dolls at the Japan Clay Doll Museum. You can take your unique tsuchibina doll home with you as a reminder of your trip to Nagano.
Recommendation
Nakano City is home to the Japan Clay Doll Museum, testament to its rich tradition of clay doll making. Two main artisan families, the Nara Family (makers of Nakano Dolls) and the Nishhara Family (makers of the Tategahana Dolls) carry on the tradition today. At the Japan Clay Doll Museum, you can choose an unpainted tsuchibina doll and paint it following one of the models and/or create your own colorful design.
Details
- Hours
- 9:00-17:00 (From Dec. to Feb. 10:00-16:00)
- Date(s)
- Thursdays and New Years holiday
- Cost / Price of Admission
- Museum Entrance 200 (high school 100, younger free). Dolls painting from 300 to 3,150.
- Time Required
- 30 min-1.5 hours for the activity + 30-60 min. for the museum
- Reservations
- Required, Not required(Required for groups. Please contact in Japanese by either telephone, fax or e-mail with name, telephone number, requested date and time and # of participants.)
- # of Participants
- 1-30
- Foreign Languages
- (Instruction in Japanese. (Having someone that speaks Japanse accompany English speakers is highly recommended.)
) - Luggage Storage
- Available
Notes
Annual "Hina-Ichi" tsuchibina doll festival held in city center at the end of March. Museum can accommodate up to 50 people at a time.
Contact
tel : +81(0)269-26-0730fax : +81(0)269-26-0730Official site
Access / Location
- By Train
- From Shinshu Nakano Station(Nagano Dentetsu Nagano Line), Take bus to Nakamachi stop. At Nakamachi intersection, turn right (east) and walk up the hill to the museum (approx. 1.4km, 18 min.)
- By Car
- From Shinshu-Nakano IC, Take Route 29 east to Route 54 and turn right. Go 500m and turn left to go up the hill to the museum.
- Address
- 1150 Nakano, Nakano 383-0013
Nearby Attractions
Sightseeing Spots
- Hokusaikan : Actual Works by Woodblock Print Master Hokusai
- Matsukawa Gorge : Picturesque River Gorge with 3 Waterfalls and 8 Hot Springs Districts
- St. Cousair's Winery & Vineyards : “Country Comfort” Winery and Garden Terrace
- Nozawa Onsen Sparina : Year-Round Bath House with Onsen Pool
- Zenkoji Temple : The Legendary Temple at the Heart of Nagano City
Accommodation
- Yudanaka Seifuso : Family-run Traditional Ryokan 2-min from Yudanaka Station with Private Onsen Bath and WiFi.
- Uotoshi Ryokan in Yudanaka : Ryokan with a Kyudo (Japanese Archery) Range.
- Yorozuya : Landmark Yudanaka Onsen Ryokan with Famous Momoyama Bath and Historical Shoraiso Building
- Shimaya Ryokan : Renowned Heartfelt Friendly Service Proudly Providing True Japanese Ryokan Hospitality.
- Ryokan Biyu no Yado : Located in the heart of Yudanaka Onsen, Convenient to the Snow Monkeys.
Restaurants
- Chanko Cuisine Tamaya : Reasonably-Priced Healthy "Chanko" Stews.
- Enza café & ramen enza : A stylish café and ramen restaurant located at the trail head leading to the Snow Monkey Park
- Soba Agare-ya : Stone-milled Soba Eaten Around a Hearth.
- Cafe Waraku : Pasta & Pancakes in a 'Kura' Storehouse.
- Restaurant ST. COUSAIR : European-Style Restaurant Overlooking a Field of Wine Grapes.
Activities
- Try Your Hand at Kyudo (Japanese Archery) : Experience Kyudo, Japan’s Spiritual Version of Archery.
- Onsen-Hopping at Shibu Onsen : Soak in Shibu Onsen’s 9 Public Baths for Good Luck.
- Photographing Japanese Macaques in the Wild : Observe Japanese Monkeys Bathing in Hot Springs Up-Close in Their Natural Habitat
- Obuse's Half Marathon : Quirky Half-Marathon in the Quaint Town of Obuse.
- Zazen Meditation -- With a German Priestess at Horakuan : Practice Zazen Meditation with Guidance in English or German in Suzaka.