Washi (Japanese Paper) Museum – 和紙博物館

Another highlight of this area is the Abe Eishiro Memorial Museum, which features the life and work of Abe Eishiro (1902-1984). Born in the Yakumo district, Mr. Abe was awarded the honour of being designated as a “Living National Treasure” in 1968 thanks to his instrumental role in the preservation of traditional Japanese papermaking techniques. He established the Abe Eishiro Memorial Hall in 1983, where literature and materials concerning Washi (Japanese paper) and many items made of washi are exhibited.

Washi is made from the barks of different kinds of plants for different qualities of paper, and these are boiled, washed, crushed, and pressed before being shaped into paper sheets and then dried. You can also try making paper yourself (booking required). Prices and times vary according to the type of paper and the size of the group, but can be done in as little as 45 minutes for 500 yen, or up to 90 minutes and 5,000 yen. See the website (in Japanese) for details.

安部榮四郎記念館 – Abe Eishiro Memorial
Admission Fee	¥500
Opening Hours	From 9:00 to 16:30. Closed on Tuesday (or the following day when it falls on a national holiday)
URL	abe-eishirou.jp (Japanese)
Tel	0852-54-1745
Access	From JR Matsue Station, take the bus bound for Yakumo. Get off at the Yakumo Bus Centre terminus (23min bus ride), and transfer to the bus bound for Bessho. Get off at Bessho Bus stop (13min bus ride). Or take a taxi from central Matsue (25min).