Echizen Cutlery

A metalworking region centered on Tsubame and Sanjo cities in Niigata Prefecture. Beginning with nail production in the Edo period, the area now supplies high-quality metal products including knives, Western tableware, and outdoor equipment worldwide. It has produced global brands like Snow Peak and Tojiro, and actively promotes industrial tourism.

Washi paper produced in Echizen, Fukui. Japan's most representative paper with 1500-year history. Made from kozo plant fiber and water, renowned for durability and beauty. Registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, it is used for calligraphy and crafts.

Lacquerware produced in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, with over 1,500 years of history. Known for its durability and beautiful luster, it represents a comprehensive craft tradition from woodworking to lacquering. Currently accounts for over 80% of Japan's lacquerware production, maintaining its status as a major center of the craft.

Washi paper production in Echizen, Fukui with over 1,500 years of history. Traditional hand-papermaking using plant fibers like mulberry, hemp, and gampi. Recognized domestically and internationally for strength and flexibility, used for calligraphy and printmaking papers. Registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014.

One of Japan's oldest washi production areas with 1,500 years of history in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture. The quality is so high that it even produces paper for Japanese banknotes, with world-class technical expertise. Used widely for calligraphy, printmaking, shoji screens, and fusuma, it continues to serve as the core of washi culture.

One of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, located in Echizen, Fukuoka Prefecture, with over 1,300 years of history since the Heian period. Characteristic of this pottery is its unglazed, high-fired aesthetic with rustic, powerful expression. Production ranges from large storage jars to tea bowls, earning recognition as contemporary art. Its simple, natural character embodies the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

Japan's finest kitchen knives produced in Sakai, Osaka. It is said that approximately 90% of professional Japanese chefs use Sakai knives, whose sharpness and durability are among the world's best. Originating from tobacco knife production in the 16th century, its high-quality production system of specialized division of labor—forging, sharpening, and handle-fitting—has been preserved.