Koriyama | The Art of Laughing at Life: Daikokuya Fire Man Mask Painting Experience & 300-Year-Old Traditional Craft and Fire Man Dance Apprenticeship 046
| Departure / Meeting Point: | 大黑屋（福島県郡山市西田町高柴字舘野 163） |
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| Duration | Half-day experience (approximately 2-3 hours) |
| Operating Period | 2026-04-01 ~ 2027-03-31 |
| Minimum Number of Participants | 2 ~ 6 people |
| Price (per person) |
Adult: ¥4,500 Child: ¥4,500 |
| Age Restriction | 3 歲以上（需家長陪同） |
Itinerary Details
Three Hundred Years of Smiles: Zhang Zi of the Three Springs and the Dark Room
Takashiba, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, is the renowned birthplace of paper dolls (Paper Dolls). The Daikokuya workshop, with its over 300-year history, is where master craftsmen preserve this art form that brings smiles to the faces of adults and children alike. In this old workshop filled with the aroma of wood, you will learn how “Hyottoko” masks symbolize good fortune and celebrations, and begin your own creation in a tranquil atmosphere.
Put on a mask, and dance with a different soul.
The highlight of the experience is undoubtedly watching an 80-year-old master craftsman perform the “Fire Man Dance.” With his comical yet vibrant movements, the master conveys his wisdom: “Wearing a mask is about breaking free from the role that originally confined you.” This is not just a body painting experience, but also a healing process that relaxes tense nerves and resonates with the soul of local culture.
Itinerary
Traditional workshop tours and cultural inspiration
Workshop check-in and folk art guided tour
Arrive at the Daikokuya Museum. Visit the museum’s collection of traditional paper dolls and masks, and receive a guided tour explaining the unique folk art history of the Takashiba area and the cultural origins of the “Fire Man” (or “Fire Man”).
Fire Man Mask Painted Craftsman
Sit beside a craftsman, pick up a paintbrush, and use traditional colors and lines to depict your own expression on a plain mask. The craftsman will guide you through the brushstrokes and share how to draw a smile with “soul.”
Professional performance and dialogue with life
Appreciation and exchange of professional fire-man dance
Witness firsthand the agile and humorous Fire Man Dance performance by an octogenarian. After the performance, sit with the grandfather, listen to his philosophy of life—a philosophy he has shared throughout his life working on this land—and feel the warmth that transcends words.
Free time to visit and shop
Finished products are sealed and dried. During breaks, browse and purchase exquisite local items from Daheiwu. Wearing a unique mask, return home to the folk art village under the setting sun.
Important Information & Cancellation Policy
- Precautions: Paint stains are difficult to remove from clothing, so it is recommended to wear light or dark-colored clothing. The workshop contains many valuable exhibits; please walk quietly and slowly during your visit.
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Cancellation Policy:
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Once a reservation is made, a 5% system cancellation fee will be charged if the reservation is cancelled due to personal reasons.
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7 days before departure: 30%
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3 days before departure: 50%
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Previous day and current day: 100%
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