The Organic Beauty of Kaga Lacquerware
Local Creators' Market Ishikawa
A mountainous land dotted with hot springs, Yamanaka in Ishikawa Prefecture is a major center of lacquerware production, thanks to woodturners who emigrated to this area 400 years ago.
Meet One of Tokyo's Coolest Neighborhoods: Meguro
Coffee culture, antiques . . . even a Pig Cafe: Tokyo's Meguro is definitely worth a train stop.
2 Modern Masters of Woodwork & Lacquer
Local Creators' Market Ishikawa
Working by hand at scales that can at times only be seen with a magnifying glass, these two artisans are heirs to a 400-year-old legacy of woodworking in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Sumida Textiles: Hand-Dyed in Tokyo
Handicrafts Local Creators' Market
The Sumida Ward has long prospered as the center of Japan's fabric industry. Even today, it is capable of reproducing nearly any color on demand.
Make Japanese Pottery at Uzumako Art School
Don't just buy some Japanese pottery—why not make a piece yourself at the Uzumako Ceramic Art School?
How Japanese Pearls Are Processed
Handicrafts Local Creators' Market
How are pearls processed? Prized Akoya pearls are sorted in front of a north-facing window, where the low-angled natural light reveals any scratches and irregularities, and practiced artisans recognize flaws as slight as a tenth of a millimeter.
Endless Design Possibilities: Fukuyama Denim
Local Creators' Market Hiroshima
Specialists in every step of denim manufacture—spinning, dyeing, weaving, washing—abound in Fukuyama, a leading producer of denim in Japan. The locale is a driving force behind the worldwide appeal of Japanese denim.
The Hand-Dyeing Specialists of Sumida-ku
Handicrafts Local Creators' Market
If you're looking for custom, hand-dyed fabrics, these three specialists in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, are dyeing to set you up!
For Custom Fabric Colors, Go to Sumida-ku
Handicrafts Local Creators' Market
Place an order with a swatch or color chip, and shops in this Tokyo district will delve into a formidable databank of colors amassed over the history of the craft to instantly dye your fabric to the exact color of the sample.
Taking Denim Beyond the Jean Jacket
Local Creators' Market Hiroshima
Hiroshima is known for its denim. But the denim being made here may not be the kind of denim you know!
The Secrets of Pearl Harvesting in Japan
Handicrafts Local Creators' Market
Look closely through the translucent sheen of any Akoya pearl and you’ll see a rainbow of colors—a joint gift from the growers, the oysters, and the sea itself. But how are they produced?
All About the Local Creators' Market
Handicrafts Local Creators' Market
Launched by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Local Creators’ Market focuses on five Japanese locales noted for producing exquisite traditional handicrafts.
Japan's Amazing DIY Superstores: From Cheap Urban Farming to Building a Home
Information Local Creators' Market
DIY has always been big in Japan. Now a number of stores cater to the creative in all of us, whether its gardening, interior renovation, crafts or even building your own house.
A Valentine Chocolate Tour of Tokyo
Introducing a delicious tasting route of 11 elite Tokyo chocolatiers and their creations.
Tokyo's Coolest Farmers Market: A Sustainable Community at UN University
Food & Drink Local Creators' Market
Tokyo's largest farmers market is a hub for regional produce, tasty street food . . . and ideas for building a better future
The Ultimate Wedding Cake Knife
Swords have been forged in this Gifu Prefecture town since the late Kamakura Period. Now the same traditions are being applied to some of the best knives you can hope to find.
Vintage Diving at Toyo Department Store
If you're a true Tokyo hipster, you'd know that Shimokitazawa is the place to be for thrift shopping and fashion. And part of that reason is Toyo Department Store.
Create Ukiyo-e Art at a Woodblock Party
If you're a fan of traditional Japanese art, you can create your own version of famous ukiyo-e paintings at Mokuhankan's woodblock print party experiences.
