A lot of Japanese skills! 「Sumida Machi Dokoro」

Since the Edo Period, Sumida Ward has been developed as a town of manufacturing where many craftsmen had lived making daily necessities. So you see many products, which reflect Japanese traditional “skill” and “feeling” at “Sumida Machi Dokoro”. You can select the best gifts or souvenirs you cannot buy anywhere else.

The special product of the shop is a category, called “Sumida Modern”. They are quality goods that reflect craftsmen’s techniques and express the nice image of Sumida Ward. Then the products help to increase the attractiveness of the area. Only these special products are certified as “Sumida Modern”.

While selecting the product, it is fun to imagine what the craftsman was thinking when he/she made the product.

◆Edo bag “Edo Katabami”

I hear the handbag was created by using costume fabric of Kabuki, which is one of the Japanese traditional performing arts.

Using Katabami (wood sorrel), the plant that is a symbol of the descendant prosperity, the hand-drawn dying techniques are applied with a gold and silver thread Japanese embroidery. This is such a beautiful Japanese handbag.

If I have the bag, I can boast about it to my friends!

◆”Edomae Surikuchi Shouyu Sosogi” (Edo-style soy sauce pouring container)

Soy sauce is a seasoning that is indispensable for Japanese cuisine, such as Sushi.

I hear this Edo glass soy sauce pouring container was created about 100 years ago by pursuing the easiest way to pour soy sauce. The simple design has not been changed. The craftsman still makes it one by one by matching the lid and the body of the bottle.

I was amazed to know how the craftsman is particular about the details.

No liquid drool!

◆　A folding screen by Hokusai, “Gaifu Kaisei”(Fine Wind, Clear Morning)

This is a mini folding screen by KATSUSHIKA Hokusai, who is an ukiyoe artist representing Japan.

This “Gaifu Kaisei” is one of Hokusai’s masterpieces of Fugaku sanju rokkei (Thirty-six Sceneries of Mt. Fuji), which is a collection of Mt. Fuji sceneries. If I place the piece in my room, I could feel Japan.

There are many craftsmen living in Sumida Ward who have been supporting Japanese traditional industries.

At this “Sumida Machi Dokoro”, there is a “Demonstration Corner” where we can see a craftsman is taking turns and showing us the process of making a product.

Just seeing their professional and beautiful hand techniques, I forget time passes.

There are many other convenient places in “Sumida Machi Dokoro”.

I can relax with delicious maccha (powdered green tea) taste sweets and drink at “Chaya (Café)”.

You can visit a very convenient “Tourist information counter” if you want to do some sightseeing around Sumida Ward. 　There are many tour guide brochures there. Nice sightseeing concierge will help each of you to satisfy your requests and give you travel information.

We can say that Sumida Ward is the special area where Japanese charm is condensed and “Sumida Machi Dokoro” is a store where the charm of Sumida Ward is condensed.

Sightseeing and souvenir shopping will be enriched by visiting from Tokyo Skytree to “Sumida Machi Dokoro” where you could feel real Japan!

Industrial Tourism Plaza “Sumida Machi Dokoro”

10:00～21:00

1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree Town・Soramachi 5^th floor

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