The Guide to Tsubame Sanjo for Experiencing Japanese Traditional Craftsmanship through Shopping, Workshop, Meals

Have you ever heard the name “Tsubame Sanjo Area” in Niigata Prefecture, which is famous for manufacturing metal products? It consists of Tsubame City and Sanjo City and has about 3,000 factories. The history of the Tsubame Sanjo Area had begun in the 1600s when peasants started earning their living by making Japanese nails because of a river’s overflowing. The craftsmanship that has been passed down since the time is made use to producing tableware, ironwork tools now. Due to the influence of it, there are also head offices of brands that popular all over the world such as ‘snow peak.’ This time, we’d like to suggest a Tsubame Sanjo’s trip itinerary to experience their traditional craftsmanship and unique charms through shopping, workshops or meals.

All of the spots can be reached on foot or by train within 30 minutes’ walking.

Get New Items created by craftsmen’s having a connection with each other and meeting at “FACTORY FRONT”

“FACTORY FRONT” is a facility that provides information on Tsubamesanjo’s manufacturing as a ‘local frontman.’ It uses the abandoned factory that had been renovated and has a bright and open space. Near the entrance, selected new items that were created by local craftsmen’s having a connection with each other are lined up. There is a great variety of items, such as products of ‘Magnet Co., Ltd.,’ which manages FACTORY FRONT and kitchen knives made by a long-established specialty shop ‘Tojiro (藤次郎)’ and camping equipment of ‘snow peak.’ We bet you will feel the high technical capabilities cultivated in the area and the passion of craftsmen through these items that can be used every day and active in a wider range of applications. Besides, pay attention to ‘Factory Space’ where visitors always can see craftsmen making metal business card holders with utilizing various technologies of Tsubame Sanjo.

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 6:00PM　Open All Year Round (except New Year’s Holidays)
Address	14-3 Higashiota, Tsubame City, Niitaga Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Nishitsubame Station which is 2 stations away from Tsubamesanjo Station on the Yahiko Line
URL	http://www.factoryfront.com/

“Sanjo Kaji Dojo” where blacksmiths teach us Sanjo’s traditional methods to make Japanese nails and knives

“Sanjo Kaji Dojo (三条鍛冶道場)” is a rare hands-on facility in Japan, where visitors can experience craftsmanship. 3 types of workshops are held: ‘Japanese Nail Making Experience,’ ‘Paper Knife Making Experience’ and ‘Kitchen Knife Sharping Experience.’ As the level goes up, you can try making knives and short swords. Blacksmiths teach you how to do so in an easy-to-understand manner, even beginners can participate workshops without worrying anything. A little hard processes let you have experiences that we can’t do in daily life. Those who are fascinate with making something with using their five senses seems to visit here again and again.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 5:00PM Closed on Monday and New Year’s Holidays (from 29th December 2020 to 3rd January 2021) *To prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, those who live in prefectures whose governors are making the request to only go outside for essential things can not enter this facility.
Address	11-53 Motomachi, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	A 3-minute walk from Kitasanjo Station which is one station away from Tsubamesanjo Station on the Yahiko Line
URL	https://kajidojo.com/

“Tsubame Sanjo Italian Bit Tsubame Sanjo Main Shop” whose interior, tableware and ingredients are all from Tsubame Sanjo and special room is a hot topic

Reference from Niigata Kanko Navi “地元愛あふれるイタリアン！燕三条イタリアンBit 燕三条本店でランチ／三条市“

“Tsubame Sanjo Italian Bit Tsubame Sanjo Main Shop (燕三条イタリアンBit 燕三条本店)” is a restaurant particular about local production. The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the store is the artistic chandelier made by the knife maker “SUWADA”, which was founded at Sanjo City in 1926. Under that, there is a long table made by “MARUNAO”, which was founded at the same city in 1939 as a company creating sculptures that decorate temples and shrines. While being surrounded by such interiors, you can enjoy exquisite Italian cuisine made with local ingredients. The owner from Tsubame Sanjo visits farmers’ fields and carefully selects them. Furthermore, the deep love for the local is also put into their tableware, so all of them were made in the Tsubame Sanjo Area. If you want to have more special experience, ‘5D Room’ is a recommendation. The beautiful nature scenery of Niigata and scenes of craftsmen’s manufacturing something are projected on walls and a table. Why not spend a luxury time while seeing the projection mapping and eating their original course meals?

Opening Hours	Lunch 11:30AM – 3:00PM／Dinner 6:00PM – 11:00PM
Address	1-17 Sugoro, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	A 9-minute walk from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	https://tsitalian-bit.com/main/