Preserving Japanese Traditional Craftsmanship: A Project Bridging Heritage and Modern Innovation
On November 18, 2024, Nihon Keizai Shimbun (The Nikkei) published an article titled “German and Japanese Craftsmen Collaborate to Create a Traditional Japanese Room and Gain Fans Abroad” The article introduces a project where a three-mat Japanese-style room, designed to be easily assembled, disassembled, and transported, showcases traditional craftsmanship to promote Japanese cultural heritage.
This project, led by architect Rieko Uchida, highlights her belief that “the authentic will always remain.” We deeply resonate with this sentiment as our company also strives to preserve and promote authentic traditional culture through our cultural experience tours in Tokyo.
Japanese Culture: Declining Domestically but Flourishing Abroad
The article also points out that while traditional Japanese rooms are declining domestically, there is growing interest in them abroad. For example, Tatami has gained popularity overseas due to health-conscious trends and an appreciation for natural materials. The article also mentions the high level of interest in Japanese woodworking techniques in Germany.
Similarly, we have observed that foreign visitors often show greater enthusiasm for Japanese traditional culture than domestic audiences. At our Kigumi Museum tours, over 50% of visitors are foreigners. This museum offers hands-on opportunities to learn about Kigumi (wood joinery), plastering, and lacquerwork, which were inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, consider joining our Kigumi Museum tour to experience these extraordinary traditional techniques.
A Future Where Japanese Craftsmanship Reaches the World
The article highlights Uchida’s hope for a future where Japanese architectural craftsmanship gains recognition abroad. At our company, we share a similar vision. By offering authentic experiences to international visitors, we aim to foster meaningful interactions between artisans and participants, helping to spread the charm of Japanese traditional culture worldwide.
A Testimony to the Authentic Experience
96 percent of participants in our cultural tours rate their experience with full marks. One recent comment from the CEO of an American company perfectly encapsulates the value of our tours:
“I’ve traveled all over the world, but this experience with Ninja Kotan Travel was genuinely something special. Spending a few hours with the CEO, I felt like I was seeing Japan from an insider’s perspective, not just as a tourist. They didn’t just show me the sights; they brought me into the culture and history in a way I hadn’t felt before. The CEO said, ‘We want you to feel the real Japan,’ and that’s exactly what they delivered.”
This powerful testimony underscores how our tours offer more than just sightseeing—they provide a gateway into the heart of Japanese culture.
Join Us for a Meaningful Journey into Japanese Tradition
Would you like to make your trip to Japan truly special and memorable? Join our authentic traditional cultural experience tours and immerse yourself in the depth of Japanese craftsmanship and heritage.
Experience the real Japan with us. We promise it will be an unforgettable journey.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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