Area:Tsuruoka-shi, YAMAGATA
　 　 Murakami-shi, NIIGATA

Shinafu has been woven in Uetsu region since the Jomon (ca.10,000B.C.-400B.C.) and Yayoi (ca. 400B.C.-300 A.C.) era.
The cloth is woven with linden bark fiber. It is regarded as one of the three oldest woven cloths in Japan. You can experience rural life including weaving, cooking and tasting local cuisine in the area.


CONTACT：
Sanpoku Nariwai no Sato Kigyokumiai
325 Yamakumada Murakami-shi, NIIGATA 959-3917
TEL, FAX: 0254-76-2115
EMAIL: Murakami city
kanko-ss@city.murakami.lg.jp

Sanpoku Nariwai no Sato Kigyokumiai　(Japanese)
Uetsu Shinafu Shinkokyogikai
Uetsu Shinafu Shinkokyogikai
Uetsu Shinafu Shinkokyogikai @shinafu

Area: Murakami-shi

Murakami-kibori-tsuishu is famous for its wood carving and red lacquered finish. The matt surface is very unique to the product. You can enjoy its polished effect as it becomes glossier for a longer use. The Murakami-kibori-tsuishu Kaikan (center) below displays and sells various products from chopsticks to vases made by many artisans.

CONTACT：
Murakami-tsuishu Jigyokyodokumiai c/o Murakami-kibori-tsuishu Kaikan
3-1-17 Matsubara-cho, Murakami-shi, NIIGATA 958-0032
TEL : 0254-53-1745 FAX: 0254-53-3053
EMAIL: tsuishukumiai@aq.wakwak.com

Murakami-tsuishu Jigyokyodokumiai (Japanese)

Area: Niigata-shi

Butsudan is a Buddhist household altar, which contains an image of Buddha and the family ancestral mortuary tablets. Niigata-Shirone is known for producing lavishly decorated Buddhist altars, and the largest production area in Niigata.

CONTACT：
Niigata-butsudan Kumiai c/o Tomosaka Butsudan Ten

Shirone-butsudan Kyodokumiai c/o Shirone Shokokai (commerce and industry association)
1240-3 Shirone, Minami-ku, Niigata-shi, NIIGATA 950-1217
TEL : 025-373-4181 FAX: 025-373-4199
EMAIL: shirones@niigata-inet.or.jp

Niigata-Shirone Butsudan (Japanese)

Area: Niigata-shi, Kamo-shi

It has been said that the Niigata style lacquerware was started in the early Edo period. Although various lacquering techniques have been practiced, the region still continues to specialize in take-nuri, the perfect reproduction of bamboo through lacquering.It is only practiced in this area.

CONTACT：
Niigata-shi Shikki Dogyokumiai
329 1ban-cho, Eishodori, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, NIIGATA 951-8114
TEL : 025-265-2968 FAX: 025-265-3144
EMAIL: nuridon311@ah.wakwak.com

Niigata-shi Shikki Dogyokumiai　(Japanese)
Niigata-shi Shikki Dogyokumiai

Area: Kamo-shi

Due to the high humidity in Japan, the chest is made of kiri (paulownia). Since olden times, it is considered an ideal material for containers in which you can keep expensive clothes such as cashmeres, wools and silks. The chest is famous for keeping the temperature and its moisture contents at a certain level so that it can protect goods even in fire.

CONTACT：
Kamo-tansu Kyodokumiai
2-2-4 Saiwai-cho, Kamo-shi, NIIGATA 959-1313
TEL : 0256-52-0445 FAX: 0256-52-0428
EMAIL: tansukumiai@ginzado.ne.jp

Kamo-tansu Kyodokumiai

Area: Sanjo-shi, Tsubame-shi, Niigata-shi

There are FIVE special artisans on each process, wood works, carving, metal works, urushi (lacquer) painting and drawing. This is a common way among three Butsudan manufactures in Niigata. Their techniques of making metal fittings are highly praised in Sanjo and Tsubame.

CONTACT：
Sanjo-Tsubame-Nishikan Butsudan Kumiai c/o Takasan Butsugu Ten
1-2-40 Suido-cho, Tsubame-shi, NIIGATA959-1262
TEL, FAX: 0256-62-3756
EMAIL: littele-wing.sky@ae.auone-net.jp

Area: Sanjo-shi

Many of blade producers of large and small (blacksmith) have set up workshops in Sanjo. The sharp knives are also used by internationally acclaimed chefs all over the world. You can experience making something unique yourself at a center below.

CONTACT：
Member of Echigo Sanjo Blacksmith Group c/o Sanjo Blacksmith Training Hall
11-53 Motomachi, Sanjo-shi, NIIGATA 955-0072
TEL : 0256-34-8080 FAX: 0256-34-8081
EMAIL: kaji@city.sanjo.niigata.jp

Member of Echigo Sanjo Blacksmith Group　 (Japanese)

Area: Tsubame-shi

The seamless copperware is created from a piece of copper sheet being hammered constantly. The oxidization process for coloring the surface is the world only technique and practiced here. The products have been recognized worldwide since 1873 when it was first sent to the Vienna world exposition. You can visit a factory designated as a cultural heritage below to see the craftsmen at work.

CONTACT：
Tsubame-doki Kogei Kumiai c/o Gyokusendo
2-2-21 Chuo-Dori, Tsubame-shi, NIIGATA 959-1244
TEL : 0256-62-2015　 FAX: 0256-64-5945
EMAIL:info@gyokusendo.com

Gyokusendo
Gyokusendo

Area: Nagaoka-shi

Echigo-yoita-uchihamono is famous for its excellent carpentry tools. There is only one blacksmith left in Japan who is capable of making Japanese adzes. The original technique came from making samurai swords. Nowadays, the unique products are used globally.

CONTACT：
Echigo-yoita-uchihamono Kumiai c/o Yoita-machi Shokokai (commerce and industry association)
134-2 Yoita-ko, Yoita-machi, Nagaoka-shi, NIIGATA 940-2402
TEL : 0258-72-2303 　FAX: 0258-72-3328
EMAIL: yoisho@fancy.ocn.ne.jp

Echigo-yoita-uchihamono Kumiai (Japanese)

Area: Nagaoka-shi, Ojiya-shi, Tokamachi-shi

It was in the middle of the 17th century when household Buddhist altars became common fixtures in the homes of ordinary families. Butsudan could last over 100 years by repairing each part separately. Nagaoka-butsudan is characterized by their highly developed expertise in wood carving for its 3D effect.

CONTACT：
Nagaoka-chiiki Butsudan Kyodokumiai c/o Hirokawa Butsudan Ten
5-5 Sekihara-cho, Nagaoka-shi, NIIGATA 940-2035
TEL, FAX: 0258-46-2210
EMAIL: butsuko@at.wakwak.com

Area: Ojiya-shi, Nagaoka-shi, Tokamachi-shi

Ojiya-chijimi, originated from, Echigo-asafu(hemp cloth), is distinctive and a long practiced craft in this region. Ojiya-chijimi has been officially recognized as ‘Important Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology since 1955, and has also been listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. You may see the woven cloth rolled out in the bed of snow for making the pattern become more alive. They invented a method to create a crepe-like surface in the finishing process, which makes the garment cool in summer. Nowadays, they have new product lines such as shirts and beddings. You can enjoy viewing weaving and experience simple plane weaving on a loom at the center below.

CONTACT：
Ojiya-orimono Dogyokyodokumiai
1-8-25 Jonai Ojiya-shi, NIIGATA 947-0028
TEL : 0258-83-2329 FAX: 0258-83-2328
EMAIL: ojiya-ori@carrot.ocn.ne.jp

Ojiya-orimono Dogyokyodokumiai (Japanese)

Area: Ojiya-shi, Nagaoka-shi, Tokamachi-shi

Ojiya-tsumugi uses Ojiya-chijimi technique. It has a texture and luster particular to silk. You can enjoy viewing weaving and experience simple plane weaving on a loom at the center below.

CONTACT：
Ojiya-orimono Dogyokyodokumiai
1-8-25 Jonai, Ojiya-shi, NIIGATA 947-0028
TEL : 0258-83-2329 FAX: 0258-83-2328
EMAIL: ojiya-ori@carrot.ocn.ne.jp

Ojiya-orimono Dogyokyodokumiai (Japanese)

Area: Minamiuonuma-shi

It is based on the Echigo-jofu(hemp cloth) style silk weaving. Echigo-jofu has been officially recognized as ‘Important Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology since 1955, and has also been listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. As the craftsmen are committed to hand the technique down to the next generation, local elementary school children are taught the process of making Echigo-jofu, and can participate in a part of the making throughout the year. The Association for the conservation of techniques for Echigo-jofu, Ojiya-chijimi-fu is encouraging young learners in order to sustain the unique cultural heritage in Minamiuonuma and Ojiya cities.

CONTACT：
Shiozawa-orimono-kogyo Kyodokumiai
107-1 Mokuraiden, Minamiuonuma-shi, NIIGATA949-6435
TEL : 025-782-1127 FAX: 025-782-1128
EMAIL: siozawaorimono@wine.ocn.ne.jp

Area: Minamiuonuma-shi

It has creases characteristic to Hon-shiozawa silk cloth. It is an elegant weave, characterized by its minute pattern of cross-shaped or tortoise shell as Shiozawa-tsumugi.

CONTACT：
Shiozawa-orimono-kogyo Kyodokumiai
107-1 Mokuraiden, Minamiuonuma-shi, NIIGATA949-6435
TEL : 025-782-1127 FAX: 025-782-1128
EMAIL: siozawaorimono@wine.ocn.ne.jp

Area: Tokamachi-shi, Tsunan-machi

The exquisite patterns are created with the Kasuri technique. Each thread of silk is dyed with a specific pattern in order to produce beautiful traditional cloths as well as gorgeous contemporary ones.

CONTACT：
Tokamachi-orimono-kogyo Kyodokumiai
4th Floor 6 Hon-cho, Tokamachi-shi 948-0003
TEL : 025-757-9111 FAX: 025-757-9116
EMAIL: t.orikumi@mail.tiara.or.jp
Tokamachi-orimono-kogyo Kyodokumiai (Japanese)

Area: Tokamachi-shi

Tokamachi-akashi-chijimi cloth is distinctive with its creases a beautiful crinkled texture. The almost see-through look makes a lovely summer kimono. Tokamachi is one of the largest kimono cloth production areas in Japan. It is known for fabrics which are dyed before and dyed after woven. A big kimono festival is held on 3rd May every year. , and You can enjoy wearing kimono and visiting a local flea market.

CONTACT：
Tokamachi-orimono-kogyo Kyodokumiai
4th Floor 6 Hon-cho, Tokamachi-shi 948-0003
TEL : 025-757-9111 FAX: 025-757-9116
EMAIL: t.orikumi@mail.tiara.or.jp
Tokamachi-orimono-kogyo Kyodokumiai (Japanese)