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Higashikagawa Glove Gallery

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Higashikagawa Glove Gallery

Arty displays keeping the tradition of glove making and leatherwork alive

Higashikagawa City

Attention, glove lovers! Did you know that Higashikagawa City, in the eastern part of Kagawa Prefecture, is Japan’s biggest glove producing area? Known as Japan’s “Glove Capital,” Higashikagawa is responsible for more than 90% of Japan’s glove production and still continues this tradition of over 130 years.

Located in the quaint port town of Hiketa, which is part of Higashikagawa City, the chic and retro Higashikagawa Glove Gallery celebrates this history of prolific output with an artist’s eye. Renovated from a real glove factory in operation until around 2000, the gallery exhibits sewing machines, which were part of the factory for decades, alongside distinctly modern art-esque glove displays inspired by garden and forest motifs. The old-fashioned machinery inside combines nicely with the historical streetscapes of Hiketa right outside.

Entry to the gallery is free. Why not pick up one or two pairs of gloves in the gift shop as a souvenir of your time in Higashikagawa? If you wish, you can even personalize them on the spot with decorative flowers and other materials and create a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir. The former factory may not produce gloves on an industrial scale today, but visitors here can also have a go at creating their own handmade keychains and corsages using the same dexterous techniques that made the factory proud. These activities are available on reservation and require an additional fee. You’ll be smitten with these mittens!

How to get there

From Takamatsu Airport, take the limousine bus for 40 minutes to JR Takamatsu Station, then an express train to JR Hiketa Station. The facility is about 7 minutes on foot from the station.

2161-2 Hiketa, Higashikagawa-shi, Kagawa-ken