Famed for historic metal production and modern craftsmanship, journey through one of Japan’s craft centers.
All About Tsubame-Sanjo
Located in this unassuming area of Niigata are a near countless number of artisan workshops, ranging from solitary bladesmiths keeping their family forge alive to large operations fostering the next generation of craftsmen. Explore the heart of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, unbroken and thriving.
Explore Excursions
Craft your own copper plate at a 6th-generation studio
Flat sheets of metal, cold and seemingly lifeless on the artisan's table, are slowly brought to luminous life by each strike of the hammer. Step by step, the work is passed between the hands of different specialists, each shaping the work with both instinctive expertise and meticulous precision, a tradition sustained since 1816.
Tour the workspace of professional metalsmiths, observing the techniques needed to bring a piece from start to finish. Discover more about the history of the craft and its connection with the region. Then, under the instruction of an artisan, hammer and shape your own copper plate to take home.
Take art to the skies with soaring Ika kites
High in the skies above, tossed about by fierce wind yet tethered by twine string and a team of unyielding hands, the images of fantastic warriors and fearsome creatures swoop back and forth. A colorful craft with origins extending far back to the Edo Period, Sanjo ika (squid) kites soar aerodynamically through the sky, made of durable washi paper, flexible bamboo bows, and affixed in its hexagonal shape using glue and thread.
Visit the studio of one of Niigata's last remaining "ika" kite craftsmen, in operation since 1847. Observe the work and production of a traditional Japanese kite. Learn more about how these kites are used in competition. Under the instruction of the 6th-generation master, paint your own ika kite to take home.
Cut it close at a razor forge
While the beauty of the blade is ubiquitous in Japan, the might of the katana might claim attention. Less celebrated, but no less refined in elegance, is the shaving blade. Possessing a formidable sharpness in a handheld size and capable of cleanly cutting even the shortest of stubble safely off of skin, Japanese straight razors were once used by samurai to shave their heads into the traditional chonmage topknot style.
Learn the techniques behind forging kamisori razor blades from a nationally recognized artisan. Observe the master demonstrate the different steps of finishing a blade. Then, get hands-on and enjoy part of the process in crafting your own razor blade.
How to spend a day in Tsubame-Sanjo
Tsubame-Sanjo is an ideal spot for immersing deeper into Japan’s culture of craftsmanship, and serves as a great jumping-off point for further exploration of Niigata City and Yahiko, or as a day-trip from other major spots like Kanazawa, Tokyo, or even as an artisan break from skiing in nearby Nagano.
Write two paragraphs: one about the general list of iconic things to do in the area, the other about the specific area or route you’re recommending to readers.
Sample Itinerary
Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Tsubame-Sanjo Station, taking roughly 2 hours.
As you arrive, check out the Tsubame-Sanjo Roadside Station, which features all locally-made artisanal products, and opens from 9:30am
Head to a famed copper-smithing studio operated by the 6th-generation president. Tour the studio, see artisans at work, then make your own copper plate to take home.
For a local lunchtime flavor, try “back-fat” ramen, a umami-packed Tsubame specialty. Or, enjoy fine dining at Uozen.
Next, visit a traditional kite maker, featuring dynamic illustrations that soar in the sky. Watch the artisan at work, then make your own creation.
If you’re looking for a quieter night surrounded by nature, take the local JR Yahiko line to Yahiko Station for a ryokan getaway. Or continue your journey one Shinkansen stop away in Niigata City, for a night of sake and geisha entertainment.
How to get there
Tsubame-Sanjo can be reached in about two hours from Tokyo Station via the Joetsu Shinkansen. From Niigata Station, it’s just a 20-minute ride on the Joetsu Shinkansen to Tsubame-Sanjo. Both the nationwide Japan Rail Pass and the JR East Pass (Niigata & Nagano area) cover travel to Tsubame-Sanjo.
Renting a car in Japan
Renting a car offers more flexibility than traveling by train or bus in when exploring locations outside of the city center in Japan. When traveling within Tsubame Sanjo, public transportation is generally not recommended. Instead, either calling a taxi or renting a car on your own is more efficient. Tsubame-Sanjo Station has a rental car location directly connected to the Shinkansen entrance. If renting a car, you can explore Niigata’s famous coastline, plus drive to viewpoints near Yahiko or more scenic locations near the mountains. Be aware that Niigata is prone to heavy snowfall and freezing: a four-wheel drive is recommended in colder months.
*You will need a valid driving license for Japan, such as an International Driving Permit (IDP) or legal translation of your license, depending on which country issued your license.
Tsubame-Sanjo FAQs
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If you’re looking for what to do in Tsubame-Sanjo, visiting a craftsman's studio is essential. An industrial area sustaining Japan’s traditions of craftsmanship, there are countless workshops operating in the area, producing a range of items from razor blades to copper kettles.
Go beyond a studio tour with a one-on-one workshop with one of these expert artisans while visiting Niigata.
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Tsubame-Sanjo is only a 1 hour 40 minute Shinkansen ride from Tokyo, making it accessible as a day-trip or as part of a larger excursion.
It’s also only a quick 15 minute Shinkansen ride from Niigata City for travelers who are planning on exploring the larger Niigata area.
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If you’re just visiting the Tsubame-Sanjo area, one day is a perfect amount of time to spend in the area.
However, Tsubame-Sanjo is an ideal jumping off point to visit the Yahiko Shrine area, which is easy to access by train, and offers brewery tours, onsen hotels, and Yahiko Shrine itself, which has a history over 2,000 years old.
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If you plan arrival and departure times carefully, it is more than possible to visit Tsubame-Sanjo as a day-trip from Tokyo. However, Niigata Prefecture is an area rich in craft and culinary culture, and a longer exploration of the region is recommended in order to fully immerse in experiences like sake brewery tours, sushi-making masterclasses, and Niigata geisha performances.
