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When people think of Tsubame-Sanjo, they think of craftsmanship—a city of manufacturing that has flourished since the Edo period. Centered on metalworking, Tsubame-Sanjo continues to produce knives, tableware, tools, and other products essential to our daily lives. In the heart of Tsubame-Sanjo, in Nishiyokka-machi, Sanjo City, KRaft operates “craft experience tours” based out of an 85-year-old storehouse. This building, once used as a tabi (traditional Japanese socks) factory, is a rare and valuable structure that had stood vacant. Today, it serves as the starting point for KRaft Tours, welcoming guests from Japan and overseas. KRaft Tour Creating the Future of the Region Through Artisan Experiences “We want to share the charm of Tsubame-Sanjo with the world” and “create a region where young artisans can feel proud.” These aspirations gave birth to KRaft. Hirohisa Yokoyama, our representative, encountered this storehouse while working at Sanjo City Hall and felt a strong desire to preserve it. He started KRaft to connect people from Japan and abroad with the local community through craft experiences. On our tours, you can talk directly with local artisans and visit factories that are usually closed to the public, giving you a truly “authentic artisan experience.” Popular Among International Guests: Local Guide with Global Experience Our tour guide, Kensei Kochi, is a Sanjo native with overseas living and interpreting experience. He says, “Japanese craftsmanship is something we can be proud of worldwide,” introducing Tsubame-Sanjo’s charms to foreign guests in an accessible way. Rather than typical tourist experiences, KRaft Tours allow you to witness the real workplaces of artisans and the local way of life—this is our greatest appeal. KRaft’s Vision for the Future We are currently preparing to open the “Tsubame-Sanjo Technology Gallery” within our storehouse, where it will serve as the starting point for our tours. Visitors will be able to learn about the region’s manufacturing culture and even handle actual tools. In the future, we also plan to transform the storehouse into a hotel for inbound guests, creating a place where more people can experience Tsubame-Sanjo’s industries and artisan culture. We invite you to come and discover the new encounters and value that are born through craft and artisan experiences in Tsubame-Sanjo.

Craft Carried Forward with the Sound of the Hammer.

Outside the tourist routes, the town keeps moving.

Behind the Roll-Up Door: Craftsmanship Lives Here

Subtle Changes of the Seasons Known Only to Locals – Part 2

The Subtle Change of Seasons Known Only to Locals

In a Town of Cherry Blossoms and Snowplows

Experience Craftsmanship in Tsubame-Sanjo: New Encounters and Value Created by KRaft