ARTS&CRAFTS

Creativity born from constraints has nurtured Nagano's unique spirit of craftsmanship,
permeating every aspect of daily life and being passed down to the present day.
Uchiyama Gami paper made utilizing snow, Iida Mizuhiki that ties hearts together, Orokugushi combs and Kyougi wood sheets born from harsh nature—
we uncover these traditional crafts that enrich everyday life, along with the stories behind them.

Have you ever received a gift of sweets or flowers, and the ribbon or paper that wrapped them was so beautiful you wanted to keep it? In Japan, there are decorative strings called ‘Mizuhiki’ used to tie gifts together. The color and shape of […]
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Kyogi is a 100% natural wooden wrapping material made by thinly cutting fallen trees, that was once a substitute of the modern day plastic wrap. Kyogi has various uses; under crisply fried meat or fish, as a lid for dishes cooked carefully in the […]

Japanese paper has been longly rooted in Japanese life. While there are various Japanese paper producing regions throughout Japan, in Nagano Prefecture there is a unique type of paper called ‘Uchiyama paper’ that is […]
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Toson Shimazaki, one of Japan’s most famous writers, described the Kisoji (Kiso Road) in his masterpiece ‘Before Dawn’ as follows: ‘The Kisoji is all in the mountains’. True to Shimazaki’s words, the Kiso region is surrounded by mountains on […]
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A dark brown wardrobe that stands quietly and with dignity. A moist wooden spoon that fits comfortably in your hands. The crafts and furniture made around Matsumoto City, Nagano, have a unique beauty that feels familiar […]