Last updated: April 23, 2021
Make your own kokeshi wooden doll
Usaburo Kokeshi is one of the premier producers of sosaku kokeshi, a modern take on traditional kokeshi dolls. Kokeshi dolls have been made for over 150 years and have remained simple wooden pegs without defined arms or legs. At Usaburo Kokeshi, you can watch artisans produce the dolls and view a collection of kokeshi and make your own doll to take home.
Usaburo Kokeshi was founded by Okamoto Usaburo, who began making kokeshi in 1950. Today, the master artisans produce around 15,000 kokeshi a month using high-quality wood from within Gunma.
1591 Nagaoka, Shinto, Kitagunma District ( Map)
About 10 minutes by taxi from Yagihara Station
About 15 minutes by car from Shibukawa-Ikaho IC of Kan-Etsu Expressway
Free, 100 cars
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (factory closed 12:00 to 12:50 p.m.)
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and New Year's holidays