Michi-no-Eki Ogawamachi

Ogawa has made paper for a very long time, and Hosokawa-shi, the plain, strong washi made here and in neighboring Higashichichibu, is one of the three Japanese papers on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. Michi-no-Eki Ogawamachi grew out of the Saitama Traditional Crafts Hall, which first opened in 1990. After a rebuild that began in May 2024, it reopened on 30 May 2025 under the theme of handmade washi and organic farming.

The crafts side is the reason to stop. You can watch Hosokawa-shi being made by hand and try paper-making yourself, turning your sheet into postcards or bookmarks. Saitama's other designated traditional crafts are on display too. The food hall next door is the newer half: Satoyama Gohan Shokudo cooks with vegetables from organic growers, Fukaya leeks and fermented foods, and the market sells farm produce, side dishes and bento.

Small counters sell kenpi sweet potato sticks, mitarashi dango, soft serve and bread. Weekend lunchtimes can mean queues. Paper-making sessions have their own reception times, so check before you go if that is the main reason for the trip.