[Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture] Traditional Yamagata Casting is a great tourist spot! We introduce its charms and places to see!

Have you heard of Yamagata casting, a traditional industry in Yamagata Prefecture? Castings made using techniques that have been passed down since ancient times are incredibly fascinating and captivating just to look at

This time, we will introduce the charm and history of Yamagata casting, as well as recommended sightseeing spots

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What is Yamagata Casting? Introducing its appeal and features!

First, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way what Yamagata casting is

What is Yamagata Casting? Introducing its appeal and features!

Yamagata casting is a traditional craft that has been produced mainly in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, and has a history of about 900 years. Originally a technique used to manufacture Buddhist statues, daily necessities, metal fittings, etc., in recent years it has been divided into castings for machinery and castings for crafts, and famous general-purpose products include tea kettles and teapots

The characteristics of Yamagata casting are its coexistence of "solidity, thinness, and beauty." Because it can be processed delicately, it can also be used to produce small items such as chopstick rests and cups while retaining the texture unique to casting

The history of Yamagata casting

It is said that Yamagata casting flourished in Yamagata City in the late Heian period when people realized that the sand of the Mamigasaki River that flows through the city and the soil around Chitose Park were suitable for casting.Furthermore, in the Edo period, as the castle town was reorganized, "Kajimachi" and "Domachi" were created as places to train casting craftsmen

Domachi, a temple town on the way to the Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage, was overflowing with worshippers, and everyday items and Buddhist statues made from cast iron became popular souvenirs, spreading throughout the country, which is why Yamagata cast iron remains to this day

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4 recommended spots to see Yamagata Casting

From here, we will introduce four recommended spots where you can actually see, touch, and experience Yamagata casting

Yamagata City Industrial History Museum

The Yamagata City Industrial History Museum is a place where many of Yamagata City's traditional crafts and industrial history materials are on display. You can see Yamagata cast iron tea kettles and iron kettles, as well as tools that were once used in casting

In addition, every autumn they hold a "Tea Ceremony" using a Yamagata Casting Tea Kettle, and a "Factory Tour" where you can see the casting manufacturing process up close. Admission is free, so it's also appealing that you can drop in anytime

 

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Yamagata City Industrial History Museum
• Address: 10 Imonomachi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
• Phone number: 023-643-6031
• URLYamagata City Industrial History Museum　
• Google maps

 

Streets of Kasumicho, Yamagata City

In Kasumi Town, located right next to Yamagata Station, Yamagata castings are used for signboards, bronze statues, and streetlights, in keeping with the image of "a town steeped in history and culture, a town of abundance and tranquility." It's a hidden sightseeing spot that you'd easily miss if you weren't aware of it

You can actually touch the cast iron with your hands and experience its texture, so it's a good idea to take a walk around the town while sightseeing

Kikuchi Hojudo

Kikuchi Hojudo is a long-established Yamagata foundry workshop founded in 1604. It has received numerous awards, including the highest award at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and the Japan Arts and Culture Foundation Award, and its traditional tea utensils, the "Wazuku kettle" and "iron kettle," are particularly recognized around the world

Each one is handmade by a craftsman, so although production numbers are small, the exquisite craftsmanship is what makes them so appealing. Modern tools like the stylish "Wa-tetsu pot" and the "Wa-tetsu kettle pot," which cooks rice deliciously, are also available

 

INFORMATION

• Store name: Kikuchi Hojudo
• Address: 2-23-6 Domachi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00
• Phone number: 023-622-2082
• URLKikuchi Hojudo
• Google maps

 

Tendoso Garden Cafe

Tendoso Garden Cafe is a cafe in Tendo Onsen town where you can enjoy coffee brewed with Yamagata ironware. The recommended menu item is the "Iron Kettle Coffee," which contains two cups of coffee in a Yamagata iron kettle, a collaborative work between Kikuchi Hojudo and world-renowned designer Ken Okuyama

Lunch time is from 11:00 to 14:00, and cafe time is from 14:00 to 16:00, so if you want to order iron kettle coffee, we recommend going during cafe time

INFORMATION

• Store name: Tendoso Garden Cafe
• Address: 2-2-18 Kamata, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Business hours: 10:00-17:00, 20:30-23:00
• Phone number: 023-616-5670
• URLTendoso Garden Cafe
• Google maps

 

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Experience the charm of Yamagata City's traditional crafts through "Yamagata Casting"

This time, we've introduced the charm and history of Yamagata City's traditional craft, "Yamagata Casting," as well as recommended sightseeing spots. Yamagata Casting is wonderfully heavy and delicate, and is a joy to just look at. There are places you can easily visit, so be sure to give it a try

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