Tag: folk crafts
Soothing Summer Wind Chimes from Shinohara Furin
Shopping in Tokyo? Head to Shinohara Furin Honpo for some traditional glass wind chimes. Originally thought to ward off evil spirits, furin wind chimes can be made of glass or iron, and take the form of a bell of varied shapes which flutters gently...
Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out
Like many of Japan’s prefectures, Matsumoto has some fantastic local specialties. From unique Matsumoto foods to folk crafts and natural resources, here are the key things you should seek out during your visit.
Fresh...
Traditional Japanese Crafts in Osaka: Tenugui make great summer souvenirs
Osaka's "Nakani" shop creates the patterns on the tenugui hand towels using a technique called “chusen,” which is said to have been invented in Osaka in the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Often just a simple...
A Historic Japanese Gassho-zukuri Farmhouse in… Shimoda?
Ever since Shirakawa-go attained UNESCO World Heritage status, visitors have flocked there by the thousands to view the gassho-zukuri farmhouses. While they’re worth seeing, it’s also not the most convenient place to get to. If visiting one...
Stroll through Architectural History at Tokyo’s Open-Air Folk House Museum
In its sunken hearth, the fire crackles enticingly. Its guardian, an elderly woman with a face formidably composed of smile lines, waves us closer. We settle onto the tatami and sink into a companionable silence. The moment feels festive, ancient, sweet. It’s...
