[Akita Prefecture] Magewappa, a traditional Akita craft that has become famous as a lunch box!

Magewappa lunch boxes from Akita Prefecture became famous after being featured in a manga. They are a well-known and beloved folk craft in Akita Prefecture, and are an essential part of daily life

They are also famous as souvenirs from Akita Prefecture, and souvenir shops carry a variety of Magewappa, where you can often see tourists from other prefectures and countries eagerly choosing one

This time we will introduce "Magewappa," a traditional Akita lunch box that is known all over the world

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Magewappa: Akita Prefecture's proud wooden crafts

"Magewappa" is a container made by bending thin boards of cedar or cypress. Akita Prefecture is home to Akita cedar, one of Japan's three major cedar trees. With an abundance of trees such as cherry blossoms, Akita Prefecture has long been known as one of the prefectures that excels in wood processing. Magewappa is one of the wood-processed products that Akita Prefecture excels in

It was designated as a traditional craft in the 1970s. It is famous as a traditional craft of Akita Prefecture, and within Akita Prefecture, Odate City is particularly famous as the place where bento boxes are made. The Akita folk song Akita Ondo sings, "Akita specialty: Hachimori Hatahata, Oga in Oga brico, Noshiro Shunkei, Hiyama natto, Odate bento boxes."

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Why are Magewappa so loved?

Because the grain of cedar or cypress wood is visible on the surface of a bento box, each one is different. They are truly one-of-a-kind items. Even the same type of bento box-style bento box can have a different impression depending on the grain, so I've heard that it's a lot of fun to choose the one that you like best

But that's not all

Magewappa are a traditional craft that has long been loved in Akita Prefecture. Akita Prefecture is also famous for its rice, including the Akita Komachi variety. People have long been researching what kind of containers would make rice taste best

Magewappa are characterized by their ability to keep food warm in winter and retain heat in summer, preventing rice from spoiling. Cedar, one of the materials used, is famous for its antibacterial properties and pleasant smell. They are also made with thin bark, making them very light. If handled carefully, they can last for decades, and there are even households where the same magowappa has been used for generations

It has antibacterial properties and gives rice a pleasant woody scent. It's also light and will last a long time if used carefully. It's the perfect item to use as a rice container

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They are famous for their bento boxes, but they also have tumblers, cups, steamers, tea ceremony utensils, and more. Akita Prefecture is also famous for its sake. If you're drinking locally produced sake, you'll want to use local traditional crafts. Of course, Akita sake and bento boxes go perfectly together

The average price for a bento box is said to start from a few thousand yen. Larger ones can cost over 10,000 yen. If you're interested in bento boxes but feel they're a bit pricey, we recommend purchasing a small cup instead. Small cups can be purchased for a slightly cheaper price than tumblers or bento boxes

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lastly

Magewappa is a traditional craft of Akita, and comes in a variety of types that are perfect for the home, from lunch boxes to cups. It is an item that will last a long time if used with care, so it is a good idea to select it not only as a souvenir, but also as tableware and cups to use at home

Each piece has a different grain, so when you buy, it's important to choose one that has the grain you like best. If you're visiting Akita, be sure to find one you like

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