4 Textile Companies from the Old School
Textiles are vital to modern day-to-day life. Here are four companies that draw on more than half a century of experience to produce everything from silk to high-end yarn.
Make Your Very Own Japanese Paper
‘Washi’ (Japanese traditional paper) is made from wood fiber, making it stronger than today’s common paper made of wood pulp. And the Uchiyama style of ‘washi’ made in northern Nagano’s Iiyama City is especially durable!
Take Home a Piece of Niigata
Savor the prefecture’s finest produce long after your trip is over!
Ofusa Kannon Wind Chime Festival
Feel cool in the summer heat at this unassuming temple in Nara.
Spinning into our Hearts
80-year-old Masaaki Hiroi has dedicated his life to handcrafting gorgeous wooden toys the old-fashioned way.
Perfectly Equipped Tablecloth for Craft Fairs
Check out this tablecloth specifically designed for fair booths, and how it makes all the difference in staying organized!
Hunt Through 2 Million Handmade Items!
HandMade in Japan Fes presents a weekend full of crafts, music, performances, food, drinks and farmers markets conveniently packed in one venue.
Traditional Ryukyu Glassblowing Lesson in Naha
Learn to make beautiful, traditional Ryukyu glass during your trip to Okinawa!
Rainy Days are the Perfect Excuse for Pottery
A rainy day doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up indoors. Pottery anyone?
The New Classics: Culture Experiences in Tokyo
Traditional Japanese experiences have been receiving a revamp, with visitors and locals alike flocking to try new versions of old favorites!
7 More Things to Do on Rainy Days in Tokyo
Visiting Tokyo during the rainy season? Have your plans for the following day been cancelled due to rain? Not to worry! Check out a list of indoors activities and experiences that will make you forget the dark clouds!
Otherworldly Transformation of Simple Ceramics
This ceramic artist takes utilitarian vessels and transforms them into otherworldly objects.
The Oldest 'Washi' Production Center in Japan
Explore the process of making traditional Japanese paper in Echizen City, known as the oldest producer of 'washi' in all of Japan.
Hike the Mackerel Highway
Back in the day, getting ocean fish to Kyoto was back-breaking work. You can still hike the 1,300-year-old path that brought mackerel to the ancient capital.
How Do You Bleach Kimono Fabrics? With Snow!
These stunning videos show how craftsmen keep their UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage practice alive during the coldest months of the year.
Kappabashi: Home of Japanese Knives
Kappabashi is an awesome spot to find cool Japanese kitchenware, especially the beautiful blades beloved by chefs around the world.
5 Tools for Getting Started with 'Sumi-e'
Japanese 'sumi-e' ink wash painting is a great hobby to pick up—it's cheap and easy to get started!
No Need for Electricity with These Speakers
After playing songs with bamboo instruments, one band moves on to bamboo audio delivery that works with your smartphone.
Revitalizing Fukushima One Shoe at a Time
Keep a centuries-old tradition alive on the streets by wearing 450 years of history on your feet.
Where Studio Ghibli's Paint Comes From
Founded in 1950, this 17-person paint company has colored the works of anime geniuses from Osamu Tezuka to Hayao Miyazaki.
