Experience the Living Heritage of Hemp Weaving
The Omi-jōfu Traditional Craft Center, located on the first floor of Yumemachi Terrace in Aishō, Shiga, preserves and promotes the art of asa textiles—hemp/ramie (“asa”) weaving—that has continued since the Muromachi period (14th-16th centuries).
The center occupies the former Aichi County Office building, a Taishō-era structure renovated for cultural use.
Designated as a National Traditional Craft of Japan, Omi-jōfu is a fine asa textile reflecting centuries of craftsmanship.
Visitors can observe weaving demonstrations and try hands-on activities such as making a coaster on a jibata, a traditional handloom unchanged since the Muromachi period.
These experiences are rare even in Japan, offering an authentic glimpse into the region’s weaving traditions.
The center also features a shop showcasing a wide range of handwoven asa products, from clothing and bedding to everyday goods and fabrics, highlighting the everyday appeal of hemp/ramie in modern life.
Items produced at the center are also available through its official online store and Japan’s “Furusato Nozei” hometown tax donation program.
