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Kiso Hirasawa is a town of cypress items and lacquerware. Many buildings have something to do with lacquerware; for example they are stores, workshops for producing lacquerware, and residences for craftsmen.
Kiso Hirasawa in Shiojiri City is a mecca of Kiso lacquerware. It is located in the south of Shiojiri, and at the north entrance of the Nakasendo Road that runs through the Kiso Valley.
Kiso Hirasawa was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2006, and improvements are being made to the traditional townscape.
A major producer of Kiso lacquerware with a history of over 400 years. Lacquerware shops and storehouses stand on the street.
The origin of the town: The road that was on the left bank of the Naraigawa River was moved to the right bank in 1598, and people living in the nearby mountain forest moved to the roadside, thus forming a community.
In the early Edo period, some households did lacquer painting, and the magemono industry was on the rise thanks to the fabrication of hinoki cypress. People started to make a living on cypress items and lacquerware.
Kiso Hirasawa continues to be one of the major lacquerware producers in Japan through its technical innovations.
The Kiso Lacquerware Museum displays the production process and pieces of lacquerware. The Kiso Kurashino Kogeikan Museum introduces the attractive points of local industries.
Teiichi Suyama, manager of public relations at the Kiso Hirasawa Townscape Preservation Society
We interviewed Mr. Teiichi Suyama. He is the manager of public relations at the Kiso Hirasawa Townscape Preservation Society.
He was born and raised in Kiso Hirasawa. He saw the townscape being modernized and thought the old-fashioned townscape must be preserved.
The society was established in 2009 before the post town was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. More than fifty restoration projects have been done over a period of ten years starting in 2006. Mr. Suyama told us, “I reckon that the town will steadily improve.
There are many lacquerware towns in Japan, but Hirasawa is the only place you can see lacquerware factories gathered together in one town. It’s a treat to see the townscape and the heritage of lacquerware that has supported the people’s livelihoods at the same time, isn’t it?
Kiso Hirasawa has the history of a place that flourished as a lacquerware town. We aim to convey the culture and heritage as well as to restore the landscape of the Showa period.
We guide visitors. Please come and see us.”
Mr. Suyama is a kind of person who values his encounters with people. He speaks gently.
“Many people come to see the buildings,” he continued.
“It’s great to have so many lacquerware industries here. The number of lacquerware shops has dropped nationwide, but we still have them here.
Lacquerware shops standing in a row
The beautiful Kiso Hirasawa townscape with its senbonkoshi (lattice of evenly spaced, vertical timber bars)
We use storehouses as factories, so we serve Japanese tea to tourists who visit us there.
You can make a one-day trip here from one of the three big cities of Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. You can come with your family or as a group. We have had a visitor from Tokyo University of the Arts.
If you wonder why lacquerware is so expensive, and wish to see works up close, I strongly recommend that you come to Hirasawa. I hope you will see the manufacturing process and make good memories during the trip.
Less famous, the Take Matsuri (bamboo festival) is held on September 23 and 24 every year. Bamboo candles line the street, and you can enjoy a calm and dreamy scene. Come and take photos!”
Kiso Hirasawa is where time goes by slowly and calmly.
You can visit lacquerware workshops. (* Reservation required. * Tours may be declined at the discretion of the workshop, so please contact respective workshops directly.)
The Kiso Lacquerware Museum displays the method of collecting lacquer, the history and development of tools, and the production process. They also have exhibits of pieces by Living National Treasures. The Kiso Kurashino Kogeikan Museum displays and sells all kinds of local products from Kiso.
5 minutes’ walk
From the Ina Interchange on National road 361, 30 minutes by car
From the Shiojiri Interchange on National road 19, 30 minutes by car
Kiso Hirasawa, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture
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