Technology inherited by reproducing ～Banshu Abacus and Banshu Cutlery～

The Banshu region of Hyogo Prefecture has a 400-year history of producing abacuses and cutlery, and is proud to be a region in Japan that is highly skilled in producing them. The artisanship in the region is facing a succession problem, so techniques are passed down by reproducing products, for example by improving the design and using abacus production techniques to make clocks. You will encounter valuable products that are not mass-produced but are hand-made.

Date

Time

Schedule

Content

Day1

15:00-17:00

Abucus Village DAIICHI

  • Tour of workshop, experience making abucus

17:00

Check-in

  • Ryokan Takijisou

18:00

Dinner

  • at Ryokan

Day2

10:30-11:00

Depart at hotel

  • 30 mins by car

11:00-16:00

Coelacanth Shokudou MUJUN

  • visit and experience Banshu blade sharpening

Experience

Abucus Village DAIICHI

●Overview：Tour of Workshop and abacus making ●Duration: 2h The Banshu abacus, which is manufactured mainly in Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture, is easy to use, as its beads are polished to a beautiful finish. It is highly regarded as a traditional handicraft used for calculation. Daiichi is a 100 year old abacus wholesaler that supports the Japanese abacus industry by developing products such as toys and hosting workshops that use the abacus.

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Coelacanth Shokudou MUJUN

●Overview: Visit and experience forging and sharpening Banshu cutlery ●Duration: 5h The Banshu region of Hyogo Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of the Japanese blacksmith industry. Mujun has branded the cutlery produced in the Banshu region as "BANSHU HAMONO" and is undertaking product development and the expansion of the overseas market. Banshu cutlery is individually handcrafted by skilled craftsmen; it lasts for a long time with regular sharpening.Here you will visit the workshop and experience blade sharpening so that you can learn about the skills of Banshu cutlery making, which have been handed down through the generations by a small number of craftsmen.

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Stay

Takijisou

Selected as “Recommended Accommodation” in “Michelin Guide Hyogo 2016”, Takijiso’s highlight is Toryunada, a natural spectacle visible from the facility. Lumps of strange rocks and bizarre stones spread across the riverbed of Kakogawa River create dynamic rhythm of water, changing colors and patterns throughout four seasons.

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  • ・
    Languages
    ：
     Mainly in Japanese, other languages based upon request.
  • ・
    Number of participants
    ：
     2 to 8 people
  • ・
    Meeting place
    ：
     negotiable
  • ・
    Reservation deadline
    ：
     14 days prior to departure
  • ・
    Payment method
    ：
     Bank transfer, credit card
  • ・
    Clothing
    ：
     None specified
  • ・
    Tour guide
    ：
     Local producer or interpreter (arrangements made based upon customer’s preference)
  • ・
    Cancellation fee
    ：
     29~15days prior to departure 5% 14~7days prior to departure 20% 6~4days prior to departure 50% 3~1days prior to departure 70% Departure day or no show 100%
  • ・
    Precautions
    ：
     -Tour will be held even in cases of rain, except in the event of a typhoon or heavy rain warning. -All photos shown are for illustrative purposes only. -The places to be visited are not tourist destinations, and due to circumstances, there may be different processes within the factory with the machines not being in operation. -Elementary school students and younger may participate in the tour with the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. However, we cannot be held responsible for any injuries or accidents happening during the tour, including in the parking lot and in the workshop. -Please make sure that parents/guardians do not touch the machines, especially during the tour inside the workshop. -We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your participation in the tour. -The tour will be cancelled in the event that smooth operation of the tour becomes difficult due to the new coronavirus infection situation or other reasons. If the tour is cancelled, full amount of the tour fee will be refunded.
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