I visited Deko Yashiki for the first time ever yesterday. I don’t know why it has taken so long for me to go! Deko Yashiki is a collection of 4 houses (and families) who have been making local crafts for hundreds of years. You can visit their workshops, learn about folk legends and beliefs, andContinue reading Photoblog: Deko Yashiki Village Folk Crafts
What is an Onsen? The word ‘onsen’ is often used to mean a naturally occurring hot spring source, but can also refer to baths filled with onsen water. The word ‘onsen’ also features in the names of hot spring resort towns and villages. For example, ‘Higashiyama Onsen’ refers both to the hot spring sourceContinue reading Introduction to Visiting Onsen in Japan
A couple of weeks ago, I attended a samurai-themed monitor tour from Tokyo to Aizu-Wakamatsu City! (Monitor tours are trial tours that are run in order to gain feedback about a tour that is in the process of being planned or made.) This Samurai Train Tour is supposed to take you on a journey fromContinue reading Samurai Train Tour
After visiting it a few weeks ago, I would say that Inawashiro’s World Glassware Hall (世界のガラス館) is pretty underrated as a spot for tourists to visit. The World Glassware Hall exhibits over 25,000 items of carefully designed and handcrafted glass from all around the world. A majority of the glassware on display is for sale,Continue reading Make Your Own Glass Souvenirs at the World Glassware Hall
Last week I visited Tsunoda Lacquer Art Workshop (角田漆芸工房) in Kitashiobara Village, Urabandai Area. There’s a huge variety of lacquerware products on display and for sale at Tsunoda san’s workshop - many of which Tsunoda san painted himself. The production of Aizu Lacquerware is the beautiful result of the hard work andContinue reading Tsunoda Lacquer Art Studio & Sunken Gold Painting Experience in Urabandai
I had an amazing time making my own Aizu Lacquerware Chopsticks in Aizu-Wakamatsu City so I thought I’d write about my experience on my blog! What is Aizu Urushi Lacquerware? Aizu Lacquerware - known as Aizu Urushi 会津漆 in Japanese - has been produced in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture for over 10,000 years.Continue reading Make Your Own Aizu Lacquerware Chopsticks
Among the winding historical streets of Aizu Wakamatsu City lies Miura Woodturning Workshop (三浦木工所). Miura Woodturning Workshop is run by Keiichi Miura, a fourth generation artisan who has been practicing woodturning for over 40 years. The Miura family is one of the few remaining families who shape wood to be used in producing Aizu Lacquerware.Continue reading Miura’s Enchanting Workshop & Aizu Lacquerware
I visited Bonsaiya Abe around a year ago, and was lucky enough to spend time talking to Daiki Abe, the 3rd generation of the Abe family to be involved in growing bonsai trees. The Abe family have been cultivating Goyomatsu (Japanese White Pine) bonsai trees for over 90 years. Kurakichi Abe began growing bonsai fromContinue reading Bonsaiya Abe - Fukushima City’s Own Bonsai Master
As newly built houses get smaller and the variety of cheap flooring options increases, quintessentially Japanese tatami flooring is becoming less and less of a presence in Japanese homes. Tatami has held an integral place in the hearts of Japanese people for centuries, and many people are saddened by the way the youth of JapanContinue reading Hand-made Tatami Experience in Sukagawa City
Whenever I visit a new place in Japan, I make sure to prioritise trying local food and buying souvenirs for friends and family. When you visit Fukushima, you can do both of these things in one place - the Fukushima Bussankan in Fukushima City! The Bussankan (or Fukushima Prefecture Local Products Promotion Center) has aContinue reading Fukushima Bussankan & Buying Souvenirs in Fukushima
