Selected as one of the best 100 streets in Japan, the Nakamachi Komise shopping street in Kuroishi City features well-preserved traditional structures built during Japan’s feudal era. Located along this street is the handmade workshop IRODORI. It sells and offers craft-making experiences for handheld fans and Japanese lanterns reusing Neputa paintings from floats that were actually used in the Kuroishi Neputa Festival.

In the fan-making experience, participants choose their favorite parts from massive Neputa paintings and cut them out in the shape of a handheld fan. Since no two designs are exactly alike, the resulting fans are truly one-of-a-kind! In the lantern-making experience, participants choose square parts cut out from Neputa paintings and join them together. The traditional colors and designs make the lanterns highly unique.

Try a craft-making experience breathing new life into Neputa floats at IRODORI.

The workshop also sells many unique local products made by native Aomori artists. Discover exclusive items like “neo-folk toys” such as Apple Kokeshi Dolls and Pigeon Whistles.

For information on booking the Neputa lantern-making experience, check the website listed below.