Upcycling Colorful Fabrics! Create Your One-of-a-Kind “Zori” Sandals

You can choose to make either authentic “Wara-Zori” (straw sandals) using real rice straw or “Nuno-Zori” (cloth sandals) woven from colorful strips of old cloth. The cloth sandals, in particular, are an upcycled craft that reuses scraps from old kimonos and clothes. The joy of freely combining your favorite colors and patterns from the wide variety of prepared straps and fabrics is exceptional. Whether you want a chic look or a pop design, the possibilities are endless depending on your taste. The process of weaving the materials and watching the sandals gradually take shape is so engaging that you will forget the passage of time.

Experience the Wisdom of the Snow Country: “Winter Handicrafts” with a Master

In Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, an area known for heavy snowfall, people historically engaged in “Fuyu-shigoto” (winter handicrafts) during the snowbound winter months. Unable to farm, they would weave straw indoors to make daily necessities and earn a living. In this experience, a local “Straw Craft Master” with decades of experience will be your teacher, providing direct guidance. The master’s hand movements are as brilliant as magic and are moving just to watch. While being taught the tricks gently and carefully, listening to stories about the region’s history and lifestyle feels like a warm exchange around a hearth, offering more than just a crafting session. You will feel the resilience rooted in the snow country lifestyle and the warmth of handiwork.

Ultimate Comfort! Use Them as Healthy Room Shoes

Naturally, you can take the sandals you worked hard to weave home with you. The comfort of wearing sandals you made yourself is exceptional; they offer a fit that clings to your feet and provide a pleasant stimulation to the soles that only handmade items can offer. Cloth sandals, in particular, are soft to the touch and have excellent moisture absorption, making them perfect as “healthy room shoes” (slippers) for modern lifestyles. Since they are washable (in the case of cloth sandals), you can keep them clean and use them for a long time. Every time you wear them at home, they will be a special pair that brings back memories of your trip to Tokamachi and the sense of accomplishment from creating them.