12/18-19 Food and Handcrafts of Ishitohaku ~ Make New Year Decorations with Makomo + Let's Try Making Pickles ~ (Winter Edition) Enjoy While Staying at Guest House KIITOS
Please feel free to contact us via the Itoshiro Yosehinten Official LINE account.
Winter.
A pure white world blanketed in snow.
Immerse yourself in craftwork within quietude.
This is a 5-part series (February, May, July, October, December) that lets you stay at KIITOS, the guest house of Itoshiro Yohinkan which opened in November 2025, while enjoying "craftwork" and "seasonal food culture of Itoshiro".
I am Sayuri Kii, manager of KIITOS, who deeply loves craftwork and traditional Itoshiro food — I am the one organizing this series!
Itoshiro sits at an elevation of about 700m, and each season (spring, summer, autumn, winter) has its own unique beauty.
This time, the charm of the series is that you can fully enjoy winter in Itoshiro while connecting with local life and food culture, including making "New Year decorations with makomo" as well as "pickling".
This time, as the fifth installment of our 5-part seasonal series, it is the "Winter Edition" 🍂
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Connect with Itoshiro's history and way of life
Time for winter craftwork
Why not experience handcrafted work and the time-honored daily living wisdom passed down through generations in Itoshiro, Gifu Prefecture?
Do you know the plant called "makomo"?
In Japan, since ancient times, it has been part of people's lives in various forms: as food, household tools, and for Shinto rituals.
The makomo we will use this time is a precious variety lent to us by Ms. Kurumi, who grows makomo in the "Takasu" area below the Itoshiro Pass (she is our instructor for this event!)!
When making these New Year decorations, we will use this carefully grown makomo to reflect on the wisdom of our ancestors, creating decorations to welcome the new year.
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And another craftwork is making pickles using the Itoshiro turnip, a local heirloom variety that has been passed down in Itoshiro.
We pick vegetables grown in that land according to the season, preserve them, and cherish them. This is full of the wisdom and ingenuity of people who have lived in harmony with nature. When we ask local grandmothers, they say the taste changes depending on "the hands" that make it — pickling is a very profound craft.
Come join us in craftwork in Itoshiro!!
Picking up makomo, feeling the history of our ancestors.
Touching the Itoshiro turnip, savoring this land's unique food culture.
This is not just about making things — it's a time to reflect on the land's memories and the efforts of people who have kept this way of life alive.
Step away from your busy daily life, get your hands moving, and let's enjoy winter in Itoshiro together.
Capacity: 6 people.
We hope you can join us for a small, relaxed moment to connect with this land's culture and craftwork.
[Charm of This Workshop]
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MakomoLearn about makomo culture and make your own New Year decorations.
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Learn about Itoshiro turnip food culture — Use heirloom varieties passed down in the region to make winter pickles.
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Feel the season through craftwork — Experience preparations to welcome the new year and preservation wisdom that supports winter food.
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Enjoy with a small group at your own pace — With a capacity of 6 people, we can focus on every task and conversation.
[Who This Is For]
* People who love craftwork
* People interested in long-standing ways of life, local culture, and food culture.
* People who want to spend time slowly moving their hands in nature.
[Instructor Introduction]
Instructor: Ms. Kurumi Taniguchi
Overview
Schedule: December 18 (Fri) – 19 (Sat), 2026
Time: Starts at 13:30 on 12/18 , Ends at 13:00 on 12/19 * You can come via public transportation.
Venue: KIITOS, the guest house of Itoshiro Yohinkan
Participation fee: 26,500 yen, includes 2-day course fee, dinner, lunch, and snacks.
* For those staying an extra night, it is 7,000 yen plus an additional 1,500 yen for breakfast.
This course offers the following options:
* Participate in 2 days with accommodation (¥26,500)
* Participate only in Day 1's New Year decoration workshop (¥6,000)
* Participate in Day 1's New Year decoration workshop and Day 2's pickling workshop without staying overnight (¥6,000) — choose the style that suits you.
Capacity: 6 people (minimum required for holding the event: 4 people)
* If the minimum number is not met, the event may be canceled.
Schedule
〈Day 1〉
13:00 Check-in starts
13:30 Start (greetings, self-introductions)
14:00 Explanation of New Year decorations & pre-work prep time
15:00 Snack time
15:30 Craft time
17:30 Group meal preparation
18:30 Dinner social gathering
〈Day 2〉
7:30 Breakfast
9:00 Visit to Hakusan Chukyo Shrine, talk, and store tour
10:00 Pickling workshop
12:00 Lunch (at MAGOEMON) & sharing time
13:00 End (departure from Nishi Zaisho: 13:19)
What to Bring
Apron (if you have one)
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations from after application up to 1 week before the event: 5% fee
Cancellations from 6 days to 3 days before the event: 50% fee
Cancellations after that: Full amount
About the Venue: KIITOS
It is a casual guest house that opened in November 2025. Please note that depending on the number of participants, you may be sharing a room during this workshop.See here for details.
Choose options
失われつつあった
日本古来の服の知恵と心を学び
次の世代へつなげたい
縄文から続く山間集落・石徹白（いとしろ）で、
地域に伝わる衣服を復刻、リデザインしています
「直線裁断」布に無駄のない形
「藍染・草木染」この土地で育つ植物で染めています