Japan stands as one of the world’s most long-standing cultures. Throughout the centuries, the people of the archipelago have gone on to develop a medley of arts and crafts, and to this day, many of these artisanal works live on. Whether admired at museums or within private collections or serving an everyday, utilitarian purpose, Japanese crafts and the skilled shokunin who create them are truly gems of human creativity and expertise. The richness of this artisanal spirit is very apparent in West Japan, appreciated both by travelers and locals who have grown up with it as part of their culture.
The regions of Hokuriku, Kansai (historically known as Kinki), and Chugoku serve as premier destinations to see these crafts first-hand, oftentimes even allowing for a hands-on experience to get a taste of the process behind the pursuit. A journey throughout this region can consist of a multitude of different attractions, but one to discover the arts can provide an intimate connection to authentic Japanese culture like no other. Let’s take a look at some of these famous handicrafts and the destinations whose cultures they are synonymous with!
Hokuriku
Toyama - Glass from Industry to Artistry
Sandwiched between the picturesque Japanese Alps and the hallowed Sea of Japan, Toyama is a prefecture blessed with resources of the highest quality and craftsmen who are able to well-utilize them. From pristine rice crops to world-acclaimed seafood, treasured lumber, and robust metals, anything sourced from Toyama will always have a degree of renown. It’s because of this that the prefecture has a rich history of manufacture, including a prominent glass-making market that spawned from the pharmaceutical industry in the early 20th century.
Fast-forward 100 years later, this glass-production has evolved into a revered art form. The Toyama Glass Art Museum displays impressive works from many artists, many local to the prefecture but also featuring works from all over the world. The building itself doubles as Toyama City’s library and is an architectural marvel all its own. A bit outside of the city’s center, the Toyama Glass Studio allows visitors to try their hand at glass blowing themselves, as well as an onsite shop with works for sale by different glassmakers.
Toyama Glass Museum:
5-1 Nishicho, Toyama, 930-0062, Japan
+81 76-461-3100
https://toyama-glass-art-museum.jp/
Toyama Glass Studio:
152 Furusawa, Toyama, 930-0151, Japan
+81 76-436-2600
Ishikawa - Ceramics Preserved Through the Centuries
Right next to Toyama Prefecture is Ishikawa, a geographically diverse prefecture with a strong association with artistry. Ishikawa was one of the few prefectures that suffered little damage during World War II, and the capital city of Kanazawa is regarded as a crossroads of Japanese culture, with much of its historic districts preserved and standing alongside contemporary marvels. This also goes for the arts, and Kutani Porcelain (九谷焼), which has defined the prefecture’s shokunin culture for centuries, is no exception.
Kutani Ware is often characterized by its vibrant coloration, especially in the style of gosai-de (五彩手), which utilizes hues of green, blue, yellow, purple, and red. Kutani has its deepest origins in Kaga City, and not far away in Komatsu, the CERABO Kutani museum and atelier provides information on the craft’s rich history and defining characteristics, even down to how the area’s soil composition affects the ware. At CERABO Kutani, visitors can also try their hand at sculpting and designing their own Kutani pottery, as well as purchase unique items from local Ishikawa artisans. As of March 2024, Komatsu is a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, making it a standout destination for those looking to explore the Hokuriku Region!
CERABO Kutani
A-91 Wakasugimachi, Komatsu, Ishikawa 923-0832, Japan
+81 761-48-4235
Kansai/Kinki
Hyogo - Weaving Function and Artistry
For those visiting Hyogo, Kinosaki Onsen is one of the most premier destinations. Its historic buildings and relaxed environment centered around a flowing river can appear like the Japan out of anime and film, and its relaxing hot springs are ideal for taking in the atmosphere and relaxing. On top of that, many of these onsen bathhouses are tattoo-friendly, making them ideal for travelers with some ink art on their bodies. But the appreciation for artistry doesn’t end there, as Hyogo has a rich history of craft culture.
The role of basketry and weaving in human history should not be overlooked, and for the Kiryu-Zaiku craft of Hyogo, this utilitarian practice has been perfected over centuries. Kiryu-Zaiku is a form of willow-rattan basket weaving that saw its peak period of development from the 16th to the 17th centuries. The willow trees in the city also provided the craftsmen with an abundance of quality resources, truly making it distinct to the area. In Kinosaki Onsen, the Takumi Kogei workshop offers a basket-weaving experience on site. Visitors can try their hand at weaving, being engaged while relaxing with the therapeutic process at the same time! Even better, participants can bring their bags home with them: a souvenir with both sentimental and practical value!
Takumi Kogei
https://visitkinosaki.com/tour-packages/willow-crafting-bag-creation/
Nara - Ancient Techniques in the Ancient Capital
Many know that Kyoto is the historic capital of Japan, but history expands even further into the past than those days. Before Kyoto, Nara was the capital of the archipelago, and in modern times, it is most well-known abroad for its park, which is home to 1,200 deer. Their presence extends all the way to the 8th century, with strong connections to local spiritualism and folklore. Other elements of Nara’s long-standing history can be witnessed as well at its many temples, shrines, and museums. Its ancient crafts, of course, also embody this rich history.
Matcha is probably the specialty beverage most synonymous with Japan. For many, the image of a pale bamboo tea whisk, known as a chasen in Japanese, being swayed back and forth in a chawan tea bowl is a standout in the matcha-drinking experience. But the distinctively shaped chasen tea whisks used in making matcha have a rich artisanal craft culture connected to them as well. Over their 500 year history, chasen have been traditionally created with bamboo, and the most revered Japanese-made chasen are often crafted in Takayama, Nara Prefecture. Tango Tanimura is one of the most acclaimed craftsmen for the craft, and visitors to Nara are able to see him hand carve whisks in his workshop as well as contribute to the final steps of the process that entails weaving the thread around the whisks center.
Tango Tanimura
5964 Takayama-cho, Ikoma City, Nara Pref. Japan
https://www.tango-tanimura.com/en/tour.html
Sanyo
Tottori - The Paper that Japanese History is Written on
Tottori Prefecture is the least populated prefecture in all of Japan, and while this fact may cause some to question whether it is worth visiting, for the adventurous, it is the selling point to discover what most travelers may not experience. With a unique geography consisting of sand dunes by the seacoast and rich green fields, this “hidden gem” of a prefecture is picturesque, and beauty can be found almost anywhere.
The ubiquitous yet significant item of paper is no exception to this, and Tottori is the birthplace and home of Inshu Washi. This type of traditional Japanese paper is well-known beyond the borders of Tottori, as it is the choice for revered calligraphy artists throughout the country. In fact, many historical documents found in Japan were recorded on this type of paper, renowned for its durability. The Aoya Washi Workshop in Tottori City allows visitors to experience the whole process, done almost entirely by hand.
Aoya Washi Workshop
313 Aoyacho Yamane, Tottori, 689-0514, Japan
+81 857-86-6060
https://www.tbz.or.jp/aoya-washi/
Shimane - Combining Two Folk Crafts
One prefecture down from Tottori is Shimane and its capital city, Matsue. Much of traditional Japan thrives in this city, with the venerable Matsue Castle and a number of different temples and shrines laced throughout. To say Matsue is also an artistic hotspot would be a vast understatement, as it is home to two of the country’s most revered museums in the form of the Shimane Art Museum and the Adachi Art Museum. In terms of crafts, beauty is at the center as well in Matsue.
Temari are traditional folk art balls that are typically made using embroidery, but the variations in Matsue stand out with their washi paper construction. The designs are a bit more rustic and warm in color compared to their thread-composed counterparts. The aptly named Washi Temari Studio in Matsue offers unique opportunities to make personalized temari balls using locally sourced washi paper. A fully Shimane experience!
Washi Temari Studio
https://en.matsue-osewasan.com/activity/washi-temari-ball/
Getting around West Japan
Thanks to the extensive rail system that extends into and around West Japan, traveling to its many regions to see its many treasures and crafts firsthand is easy! For many travelers, Tokyo is the initial destination, and fortunately, many of its prominent stations operate as Shikansen bullet train stops to serve as launching points to other parts of the country.
From Tokyo Station, the Hokuriku Shinkansen can be taken to destinations like Toyama, Kanazawa, and Komatsu. Out towards Kansai, the famous Tokaido Shinkansen has a number of options to go to major cities like Osaka and Kyoto that will then allow access to spots like Kinosaki Onsen and Nara. Then, from Kansai, the Sanyo Shinkansen Line goes down the island to cities like Hiroshima, and from there, the coastal prefectures of Tottori and Shimane become easy trips!
Tickets out to many of these destinations are available for those who know definitively what their itineraries will look like, but for optimal flexibility with traveling around, regional passes throughout West Japan, such as the JR West All Area Pass and Sanyo Sanin Pass, are great options. For those with long-spanning trips across the archipelago planned, the National Japan Rail Pass is truly the key to efficient and unhindered travel.
