About Made by Japan
Our Mission
We help craft enthusiasts discover Japan's incredible artisan heritage — from centuries-old pottery traditions to contemporary textile artists.
What We Do
We curate and showcase traditional crafts, artisan workshops, and craft experiences across Japan. Each listing includes artisan profiles, techniques, and visitor information.
Coverage
Our database covers traditional craft centers across all 47 prefectures of Japan, including UNESCO-recognized techniques and local craft traditions.
How It Works
Our craft database is built from research into Japan's officially designated traditional crafts, regional specialties, and contemporary artisan works. Each listing includes the craft type, regional origin, materials used, historical background, and cultural designation status (National Traditional Craft, Prefectural designation, etc.). We source information from the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries, prefectural commerce departments, and artisan workshops. Browse by craft type — from ceramics and textiles to metalwork and woodworking — or explore by region to discover the unique artistic traditions of each area.
Why We Built This
Japanese craftsmanship is recognized worldwide, yet many of Japan's 240+ officially designated traditional crafts remain unknown outside their home regions. Visitors often discover Arita porcelain or Nishijin silk but miss equally remarkable traditions like Tsubame-Sanjo metalwork or Bizen pottery. Made by Japan was created to showcase the full breadth of Japanese craftsmanship — helping international visitors appreciate, discover, and support these living cultural traditions.
Community
Japanese craftsmanship thrives through appreciation and support. If you know of craft traditions, workshops, or artisans that should be featured, or if you've visited a craft center and have updates to share, please reach out. We're committed to building the most comprehensive English-language resource for Japanese traditional and contemporary crafts.