Uetsu Shinafu
Bark fiber & weaving
Shinafu cloth from Murakami. The bark of the Japanese linden is boiled to extract fiber, which is then woven. It is regarded as one of Japan's oldest textiles.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
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.
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Murakami Carved Tsuishu Lacquerware
Wood carving & lacquerwork
Tsuishu from Murakami. Wood is carved and then coated with layers of lacquer, bringing out the carved lines. Although it bears the name tsuishu, its method differs from that of car…
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Sado Mumyoi Ware
Pottery & mineral raw materials
Mumyoi ware from Sado. It uses iron-oxide clay from the gold mine, which is fired hard without glaze and polished.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Tsubame Hammered Copperware
Hammered metalwork & copperware
Hammered copperware from Tsubame. A single sheet of copper is hammered and compressed with a mallet into a seamless vessel.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Echigo Yoita Forged Blades
Forging & carpentry tools
Forged blades from Yoita. Carpenter's tools such as chisels and planes are forged. The craft is said to have begun around the time of Uesugi Kenshin.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Nagaoka Buddhist Altars
Buddhist altars & wood and lacquer work
Buddhist altars from Nagaoka. The wooden base, carving, lacquering and metal fittings are made through a division of labor.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Ojiya Chijimi
Ramie textiles & snow bleaching
A ramie textile from Ojiya. It is woven with twisted ramie thread and bleached white by laying it out on the snow. A national Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Ojiya Tsumugi
Silk textiles & tsumugi
Tsumugi from Ojiya. It is woven with thread spun from silk floss.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Shiozawa Tsumugi
Silk textiles & kasuri
Tsumugi from Shiozawa. It is woven by combining fine cross and tortoiseshell kasuri patterns.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Hon-Shiozawa
Silk textiles & crepe texture
A silk textile from Shiozawa. Tightly twisted thread produces an uneven texture called shibo.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Echigo Jofu
Ramie textiles & Intangible Cultural Heritage
Jofu cloth from Echigo. Ramie is spliced into thread by hand and woven on a jibata backstrap loom. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Tokamachi Kasuri
Silk textiles & kasuri
Kasuri from Tokamachi. Making use of the humidity of the snow country, silk threads are bound and woven.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Tokamachi Akashi Chijimi
Silk textiles & hard-twist yarn
Akashi chijimi from Tokamachi. It is woven with tightly twisted thread and made into crisp, cool summer kimono.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Niigata Shirone Buddhist Altars
Buddhist altars & lacquerwork
Buddhist altars from Shirone. In a place where timber was gathered by boat transport on the Shinano River, they are finished with lacquer and gold leaf.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Sanjo Buddhist Altars
Buddhist altars & metal fittings
Buddhist altars from Sanjo. They are distinguished by their chased metal fittings.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Kamo Paulownia Chests
Paulownia furniture & joinery
Paulownia chests from Kamo. Thick paulownia boards are assembled by joinery. Production volume is the highest in Japan.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Echigo Sanjo Forged Blades
Forging & kitchen knives and tools
Forged blades from Sanjo. Kitchen knives and carpenter's tools are forged. The craft spread from the making of Japanese nails in the Edo period.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Oguni Washi
Handmade washi paper
Washi paper from Oguni. It is bleached by laying it out on the snow.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Teradomari Yamada Bentwood Ware
Bentwood ware & woodwork
Bentwood ware from Yamada in Teradomari. Thin cedar boards are bent to make containers.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Sanjo Rokkaku Rolled Kites
Paper and bamboo crafts & kites
Rokkaku rolled kites from Sanjo. Hexagonal in shape, they can be rolled up and carried.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Oyachi Washi
Handmade washi paper
Washi paper from Oyachi. It is made from kozo paper mulberry.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Niigata Prefecture Handmade Aerial Fireworks
Fireworks & gunpowder arrangement
Aerial fireworks from Niigata. Stars are arranged inside the shell to create the shape it takes when it opens. Nagaoka and Katakai are well known.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Tokamachi Yuzen
Dyeing & yuzen
Yuzen from Tokamachi. Areas are outlined with paste and colors are applied inside.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Joetsu Batten Lace
Lace & needlework
Batten lace from Joetsu. Needlework in which tape is stitched in place to form patterns.
Hands-on visits and tours: not confirmed
Things to check when considering an experience
- Check with the business whether it accepts general visits and hands-on experiences.
- Check the eligible ages, time required, fees, language support and how to book.
- Check whether you can take your work home or have it shipped, what to wear, and the cancellation terms.
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