Araragi higasa are hats woven from Hide (cypress wood shaved into thin strips) using techniques adopted from the Hida region in the middle of the 17th century. There was high demand for hats at the time, and making them became a major industry in places where arable land was scarce. Made using traditional techniques, these hats are light, durable, and breathable. In wet weather, the cypress strips swell, providing additional protection from rain. Although demand for these hats decreased after the war, as lifestyles changed, people today are rediscovering the merits of handmade hats. Araragi higasa continue to be popular for decorative use as well as for wearing, especially by tourists in Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku and climbers on Mt. Ontake.