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Beyond Tokyo: 7 Hidden Artisan Towns Worth the Journey

travel · 9min read · 2026-02-19

Beyond Tokyo: 7 Hidden Artisan Towns Worth the Journey

7 Japanese towns where centuries-old crafts are still made by hand.

Key Takeaways

  • Seven artisan towns profiled: Sakai, Arita, Wajima, Imabari, Awaji, and more
  • Sakai has been Japan's blade capital since the 16th century
  • Arita's annual ceramics fair draws nearly one million visitors
  • Each Wajima lacquerware piece passes through over 120 production steps
  • Imabari towels must pass a five-second water absorption test for certification

The Japan Tourism Has Not Reached

Extraordinary experiences in quieter places.

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Each of these towns is a living workshop where centuries-old traditions continue to shape objects of extraordinary beauty. Most receive a fraction of the international tourist traffic that floods Tokyo and Kyoto.

1. Sakai

Knife capital. 98% of professional knives.

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Sakai has been Japan's blade capital since the 16th century, when Portuguese tobacco traders introduced leaf-cutting knives. Today, 98% of professional Japanese kitchen knives are forged here.

2. Arita

Porcelain. 400 years.

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Since 1616, Arita has produced some of the world's finest porcelain. The annual Arita Ceramics Fair in late April draws nearly one million visitors to its 500+ pottery stalls.

3. Wajima

Lacquerware. 124 steps.

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Each piece of Wajima-nuri lacquerware passes through over 120 production steps and multiple specialized artisans -- from wooden base carving to the final gold-dust maki-e decoration.
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Following the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, Wajima is rebuilding. Visiting supports the local reconstruction economy. Check current access conditions before traveling.

4. Imabari

Premium towels.

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Imabari towels are certified by a unique water-absorption test: the towel must sink within 5 seconds when dropped in water. The region's soft limestone-filtered water produces exceptionally gentle textiles.

5. Awaji

70% of incense.

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Awaji Island produces approximately 70% of all incense made in Japan. The tradition dates back to 595 CE, when fragrant driftwood -- believed to be agarwood -- washed ashore on the island.

6. Tsubame-Sanjo

Metalwork.

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This twin-city region in Niigata has forged metal for over 600 years. The annual Factory Festival (KOUBA no SAITEN) opens 130+ workshops to visitors for hands-on experiences.

7. Nishijin

Silk since 5th century.

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Nishijin-ori silk weaving has been practiced in Kyoto's Nishijin district for over 1,200 years. A single formal obi sash can require months of work with thousands of interlocking silk threads.
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Written by Hiro Miyamoto

Founder & CEO of Scratch Second. Starting from corporate sales at a South American food supplier, Hiro went on to spearhead the Japan market launch as VP of Sales at a Silicon Valley foodtech company — placing products in 2,400+ convenience stores and supplying ingredients for an international expo. He currently leads business development across Asia at one of the world's largest tech companies. Off the clock, he's a dedicated yachtsman, yogi, and sauna enthusiast who writes about the intersection of modern healthtech and Japan's timeless wellness traditions.

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