Value Village
A trip to get close to how things are made.
Kilns, weavers, breweries, blacksmiths, small local workshops — we have gathered the makers of each region. Large mass-production factories, power plants and dams, public research institutes and museums are not shown here (you can find them in the full list of entries).
2,805 craft and industry entries. Industries other than traditional crafts are included. This is not a list of hands-on programs; whether visitors are accepted, fees and booking contacts have not been confirmed.
Silk textiles & nationally designated craft
Silk textiles from Nishijin, Kyoto. The name comes from the weavers' return to the site of an army camp of the Onin War. Figured fabrics are woven through a division of labor.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Shibori tie-dyeing & nationally designated craft
Kanoko shibori tie-dyeing from Kyoto. The cloth is bound with thread one dot at a time to resist the dye. Even a skilled worker can bind only a few hundred dots a day.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Dyeing & nationally designated craft
Kyo yuzen. Outlines are laid down in fine lines of paste and the areas inside are colored. It is said to have been developed by Miyazaki Yuzensai from fan painting.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Stencil dyeing & nationally designated craft
Kyo komon. Fine patterns are dyed using stencils.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Embroidery & nationally designated craft
Kyo-nui embroidery. Patterns are stitched onto cloth with silk and gold threads. It has continued since the Heian period.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Braided cords & nationally designated craft
Braided cords from Kyoto. Silk threads are braided on a braiding stand. They are made into obijime sash cords and kimono accessories.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Dyeing & nationally designated craft
Black crested-kimono dyeing from Kyoto. The cloth is first dyed with safflower red or indigo and then overdyed with black to bring out a deep black.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Buddhist altars & nationally designated craft
Buddhist altars from Kyoto. The woodwork, carving, lacquering, gold leaf and metal fittings are finely divided among specialists.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Buddhist altar fittings & nationally designated craft
Buddhist ritual implements from Kyoto. Kyoto has made the adornments of temples throughout Japan.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Lacquerwork & nationally designated craft
Lacquerware from Kyoto. It is coated thinly and lightly and decorated with maki-e.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Woodwork & joinery
Joinery from Kyoto. Wood is joined without nails. Items such as boxes for tea utensils are made.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Ceramics & nationally designated craft
Kyo ware and Kiyomizu ware. Not bound to any particular clay or glaze, it has been made in different styles to order.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Paper and bamboo crafts & nationally designated craft
Kyo folding fans. Paper is pasted onto bamboo ribs. They are made through a division of labor from rib-making to finishing.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Paper & bamboo crafts
Kyo uchiwa. Its hallmark is the sashie construction, in which the handle is made separately and inserted.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Stonework & nationally designated craft
Stone craft from Kyoto. Granite is carved into lanterns and garden stones.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Seasonal festival dolls & nationally designated craft
Kyo dolls. The head, the hands and feet, the hair and the costume are each made by a different artisan.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Scroll mounting & nationally designated craft
Kyo hyogu mounting. Calligraphy and paintings are mounted with fabric. It also handles the restoration of cultural properties of temples and shrines.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Twisted yarn & tassels
Tassel cords from Kyoto. Threads are twisted into tassels. They become ornaments for Shinto and Buddhist ritual implements.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Wisteria fiber & weaving
Wisteria cloth from Tango. Fibers are taken from wisteria vines and woven. It is among the oldest textiles in Japan.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Ceramic dolls
Ceramic dolls from Kyoto. Figures are made of clay and painted.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Metalwork & hammering
Metal craft from Kyoto. It has the skill of tankin, in which forms are hammered out with a metal hammer.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Metal inlay
Kyo zogan inlay. Fine grooves are cut into an iron ground, and gold and silver are hammered in.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Forging & blades
Kyo bladed tools. Kitchen knives and scissors are made by forging. They developed as tools for chefs.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Dyeing and weaving & festival implements
Shinto vestments and furnishings. Ritual articles for shrines are made by dyeing and weaving.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed