"Swish, swish… there's something so satisfying about the sound of a broom"
The loud noise of a vacuum cleaner. The smell of its exhaust. It's convenient, but sometimes it just wears you out, doesn't it?
If you're interested in "quiet, gentle cleaning that doesn't use electricity," we recommend the mini broom-making experience using "Nakatsu Broom (Nakatsu Houki)" available in Aikawa Town, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The Nakatsu Broom is made from a plant called "houki morokoshi" (broomcorn sorghum), grown from seed on the maker's own farm without any pesticides. Its tips are surprisingly soft, gently lifting dust from flooring, removing lint from clothes, and brushing away pet hair—all without damaging surfaces.
Under the guidance of a craftsperson, you bundle the plants together and weave them tightly with colorful threads to make a "mini broom (clothes brush)"—an experience packed with the joy of handcraft!
By experiencing the magic of natural materials that generate no static electricity, children naturally develop a heart that treasures their belongings.
In this guide, we cover everything from the surprising reason the Nakatsu Broom is so soft, to the dramatic Miyagase Dam and the animal-friendly Hattori Farm—a complete day-trip plan to explore the Aikawa area.
Tips for Enjoying the Nakatsu Broom-Making Experience as a Family (30 seconds)
- A magic clothes brush: Because it generates no static electricity, it's perfect for caring for winter wool coats and cashmere sweaters
- The fun of choosing your thread color: You pick your favorite color—red, blue, yellow—and weave it in, multiplying your attachment to the finished piece many times over
- Check where it's held: Sessions are mainly held at the craft workshop village in "Aikawa Park" or at pop-up events
- Great for collecting eraser shavings too: The mini broom your child makes is perfect as a dedicated cleaning tool for sweeping eraser shavings off their study desk!
- Aikawa Town is a legendary route: A dam, a farm, a park, and a fantastic bakery are all clustered together—an area with unusually high satisfaction for a family drive
1. [Before You Go] Check the dates and location of the experience carefully!
When planning your trip, researching "where and when" the Nakatsu Broom mini broom-making experience is being held is extremely important.
Absolutely essential! Rules before your visit
- ① The experience is held at "Aikawa Park" and events!
The manufacturer, "Machizukuri Yamakami Co., Ltd.," is based in Aikawa Town, but they do not offer daily experiences at the factory itself. Sessions are most often held as monthly rotating experiences at the craft workshop village in the nearby "Kanagawa Prefectural Aikawa Park," or as pop-up workshops at department stores and boutiques nationwide. Always check the "Workshop Information" on the official website in advance. - ② Dress casually
Since you'll be handling houki morokoshi (a plant), a little plant dust may fall. Casual clothing you can easily brush off is recommended.
2. [Fun Trivia] Why is it safe for cashmere? The secret of "never cutting the tips"
What's the difference between a cheap broom from a home improvement store and a Nakatsu Broom? The answer lies in the "tips" (the natural ends of the plant stalks).
Soft because craftspeople "align them" by hand
With typical mass-produced brooms, the tips are cut off with a machine all at once to make a uniform length. This creates a sharp cross-section that can scratch tatami mats and clothing.
But Nakatsu Broom craftspeople never cut the natural, soft ends of the houki morokoshi. They align the tips by hand, one stalk at a time, then weave them together.
Thanks to this painstaking effort, the tips remain as soft as a baby's hair, allowing you to safely sweep even a delicate cashmere sweater or a scratch-prone computer keyboard.
3. Clothes brush or desktop use? The many possibilities of broom life
The workshop produces an adorable "mini broom" of about 10–15 cm, but it will find a surprisingly active role in your daily life.
| Use | Features & Recommended Use |
|---|---|
| Clothes Brush (for pollen & pet hair) |
[The magic of no static electricity] Because plant fibers dissipate static electricity, dust and pet hair won't re-cling to your clothes after brushing! Hang it by the front door and use it for a quick swipe of pollen off your coat when you get home—it's absolutely perfect for that. |
| Desktop Use (for desk & dining table) |
[The perfect study desk companion for kids] Eraser shavings after homework, breadcrumbs on the table—for messes too small to bother getting out the vacuum, children can get into the habit of collecting and disposing of them with their own mini broom. |
4. [Kanagawa・Aikawa] Machizukuri Yamakami | Craftspeople protecting tradition and their fields
※ The pin on the map marks "Kanagawa Prefectural Aikawa Park," one of the experience venues. Please check the official website of "Machizukuri Yamakami (Nakatsu Broom)" for the latest information on workshop dates and locations.
A truly hands-on craftsmanship experience, starting from the soil
Nakatsu (formerly Nakatsu Village) in Aikawa Town has been a center of broom-making for about 150 years. The craftspeople at "Machizukuri Yamakami Co., Ltd. (Nakatsu Broom)" are the ones who revived this technique and the cultivation of houki morokoshi after it had nearly died out.
In this workshop, you'll use houki morokoshi grown organically on the company's own farm and weave your own "mini broom" under the guidance of a craftsperson. Choose your favorite color from a vibrant selection of red, blue, yellow, and other colorful threads, then weave them firmly into the bundled plants.
"I can't believe you can make such a beautiful tool from a plant!" This sense of wonder will be the most luxurious kind of nature experience for modern children surrounded by plastic products.
👨👩👧👦 Family-with-Kids Checklist
- Building concentration: Winding the thread takes a bit of practice, but working through it together with a parent brings a tremendous sense of achievement. (※ Young children in early elementary school and below will need parental support)
- Shopping paradise: At events, large "long-handled brooms" and beautiful dustpans made by the craftspeople are also on sale. It's your chance to find a lifelong tool that will reduce your need for the vacuum cleaner!
Basic Information (approximate)
- Experience: Mini broom (cylinder-style) making, etc. (※ varies by event)
- Duration: Approx. 30–60 minutes
- Availability: Mainly held at the "Kanagawa Prefectural Aikawa Park Craft Workshop Village" and as workshops at department stores and select shops nationwide. Be sure to check the schedule on the official website.
🧹 Silent cleaning! Order a beautiful Nakatsu Broom online
For those who think "The workshop schedule doesn't work for me…" The beautiful Nakatsu Broom, woven by hand one by one by craftspeople, is also available to order online! A long-handled broom you can use without worrying about noise—even late at night when the baby is sleeping—or a hand broom so lovely it becomes a piece of wall art when hung up. Why not bring the wisdom of old-fashioned, electricity-free cleaning into your life?
5. [Model Course] A Dam, a Farm, and Handcraft! Aikawa Day-Trip Schedule
The area around "Aikawa Park," where sessions are often held, is packed with powerhouse attractions that will send children into a frenzy of joy. Here's the legendary family drive route!
- 10:00 | Arrive at "Kanagawa Prefectural Aikawa Park." Make a Nakatsu Broom at the "Craft Workshop Village"!
(Choose your colorful thread and complete your very own magic mini broom) - 11:30 | Play in the park, then head next door to "Miyagase Dam." Watch the spectacular tourist water discharge!
- 13:00 | Drive 5 minutes to "Hattori Farm." Enjoy a picnic lunch with delicious sausages and a bento box
- 14:30 | Feed the cows and sheep at the farm, then treat yourselves to rich, creamy gelato
- 15:30 | On the way home, stop at "Ogino Bread Main Factory Direct Shop", bite into a freshly fried "age-pan" sweet roll, and head home satisfied
6. Where to play after the experience! 3 Powerhouse Sightseeing & Food Spots Nearby
① Miyagase Dam & Aikawa Park | Spectacular water discharge and a giant trampoline
"Kanagawa Prefectural Aikawa Park," home to the craft workshop, is a children's paradise with vast grassy lawns, a huge "fluffy dome" trampoline, and an adventure playground (forest adventure course).
From the park, ride the Road Train ("Ai-chan") to reach "Miyagase Dam," one of Japan's largest gravity-type concrete dams! The "tourist water discharge" (※ check dates) sending 30 cubic meters of water per second crashing down with a massive roar, surrounded by mist and rainbows, is an awe-inspiring spectacle beyond imagination.
👨👩👧👦 Family & Play Checklist
- Incline cable car: You can also ride the incline (a cable car that climbs the steep slope from the base to the top of the dam), which sends vehicle-loving kids into an absolute frenzy.
Kanagawa Prefectural Aikawa Park & Miyagase Dam
② Hattori Farm | Animal feeding and exceptional gelato
Just 5 minutes by car from Aikawa Park! A free-admission farm boasting the largest area of any farm in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Cows, sheep, horses, and many other animals live leisurely on the farm, and you can try feeding them or milking cows. The must-eats on the farm are the "gelato" made with fresh milk and the authentic German-style "coarse-ground sausages"! Freshly made sausages eaten under the open sky are delicious enough to melt away even the parents' fatigue.
Hattori Farm
③ Ogino Bread Main Factory Direct Shop | The holy land of freshly fried "age-pan"!
Another 5 minutes by car from Hattori Farm. A famous bakery's factory direct shop known to every Kanagawa resident.
The specialty "age-pan" (fried sweet roll) is fried fresh to order right in front of you and rolled in sugar—crispy on the outside, incredibly fluffy and piping hot on the inside! The nostalgic taste of school cafeteria lunch is elevated into a supreme dessert. The shop also has a viewing corridor out back where you can freely watch bread being made through the glass—a fun bonus.
Ogino Bread Main Factory Direct Shop
7. After a full day of play, soak in a hot spring! Recommended accommodations nearby
After playing to your heart's content in and around Aikawa Town and Miyagase, why not stay one night nearby before heading home?
We've picked out family-friendly favorites—a "hot spring inn in East Tanzawa" and a "delicious hotel in Atsugi"—easily reachable by car from Aikawa Town!
♨️ East Tanzawa / Nanasawa Hot Spring Area (Silky, skin-beautifying waters!)
Nanasawa Onsen Nanasawa-so
About 30 minutes by car from the Aikawa area. A celebrated hidden gem surrounded by the great nature of East Tanzawa.
The highly alkaline spring—among the top-ranked in Japan—feels like lotion the moment you step in, silky smooth! It'll leave skin glowing after a day of playing in muddy farms and parks. The grounds are a spiritual power spot, making for a pleasant stroll in their own right.
🏙 Hon-Atsugi Area (Lavish buffet and a comfortable hotel stay)
Rembrandt Hotel Atsugi
A clean city hotel near Hon-Atsugi Station, less than 30 minutes by car from Aikawa Town.
Perfect for families who prefer a bed hotel over a traditional inn, with spacious family rooms. Above all, the lavish "dinner buffet" at the restaurant is wildly popular with children! A highly convenient hotel to use as a sightseeing base.
8. [After You're Home] Never lean it against a wall! The beautiful way to care for your broom by hanging it
Back from your trip, have your child sweep right away with their "personal broom"! Here are simple care tips to keep it beautiful for years to come.
3 promises to make your Nakatsu Broom last
- ① Always "hang it up" after use (If you lean it on the floor with the tips pointing down, the tips will bend and take on a permanent curve. When you're done using it, hang it on a hook to store. It looks beautiful as décor too)
- ② When dust gets tangled in the tips, "comb it out" (When debris gets caught in the tips, don't pull it out by hand—gently comb through with a wide-tooth comb to remove it cleanly)
- ③ Return it to the earth in your garden when done (When the tips have worn down and shortened after years of use, you can ultimately return it to the soil as plant fiber. It's the ultimate eco-tool that wastes none of nature's gifts)
🫧 Display your cleaning tools! Beautiful hooks and dustpans
Once you have a beautiful Nakatsu Broom, you'll want to put thought into where you store it too! Hung on a stylish hook made from solid wood or brass, your cleaning tool transforms into a genuine art piece. And the perfect broom companion is a "harimigoke" (dustpan) made from washi paper coated with persimmon tannin. Because it generates no static electricity, collected dust falls cleanly into the trash without sticking to the dustpan—a genuinely satisfying experience!
Summary: Quiet cleaning without electricity settles the mind
"Dad, let me brush the pollen off your coat!"
The Nakatsu mini broom, woven with colorful thread with great effort in Aikawa Town.
The small everyday messes that don't quite warrant getting out the vacuum—a little dust here, some eraser shavings there—become a fun chore for children when they have their own "swish" tool to use.
No electricity needed, so it's quiet, with no exhaust smell.
Before bed at night, or in the quiet of the morning. The strange magic of holding soft natural plant fibers in your hands and sweeping the space clean seems to settle not just the room, but the mind of whoever is doing the sweeping.
This coming weekend, why not head to Aikawa Town, Kanagawa—where a dramatic dam, delicious bread, and a "comfortable everyday tool" await—to find your family's smiles?