HOMESpecial Products

Yamanaka Lacquerware

Yamanaka Lacquerware originated from the woodturning lathe of artisans who were seeking fine raw materials from the Echizen Area and settled in "Manago Village", which is 20km upstream of Daishoji River and located close to the border to Fukui Prefecture. As time passed, the craft and the techniques used in making the product spread downstream to villages around Yamanaka Onsen, and artisans from these villages further enhanced the crafts by applying lacquer and decoration on them. Daily utensils such as bowls and plates created with great efforts and imagination from artisans became popular souvenirs for tourists visiting Yamanaka Onsen, and were introduced to the rest of Japan. With 400 years of history and tradition, Yamanaka Onsen was developed over the years along with its lacquerware, and it now boasts of having the highest annual sales of Lacquerware products as compared to all the other lacquerware producing areas in Japan. Designated as a traditional craft by the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Yamanaka Lacquerware is characterized by its elegant decorations and the extraodinary fine skills of the artisans.

Lacquerware Museum "Yamanaka Lacquerware Traditional Products and Crafts Museum" Located at the entrance of the Onsen District, the "Yamanaka Lacquerware Traditional Products and Crafts Museum" offers exhibition of art items, test products and merchandise that are created using traditional techniques. Exhibition is open to all. ■Hours/08:30-17:30 ■Closed/End and Beginning of Year ■Fee/Free Entry ■Tel./0761-78-0305

Yamanaka Lacquerware Festival The Festival is held during May 3rd and 4th of Golden Week at an area around Yamanaka Onsen "Kiku-no-yu" Lounge. As the number one Yamanaka Lacquerware producing area in Japan, this festival mainly offers direct sales of Yamanaka Lacquerware. You can also find the many specialties of Yamanaka, as well as enjoy various events and entertainments at the festival. ■For Inquiry Yamanaka Lacquerware Association Office TEL. 0761-78-0305

Yamanaka Onsen Special Products

Here is an introduction of only some of the many specialties and unique products of Yamanaka Onsen. You might even discover a few things that you like as you take a stroll around the Onsen District…

	Yamanaka Specialty - NyaNya Manju (Sweet Buns) The name "NyaNya" is taken from the dialect of Kaga Area; this speciality is prepared with black sugar and local miso, which are blended to give out the perfect aroma and texture. The "NyaNya Manju" offer a mild sweet taste that you can never forget. ■For Inquiry ＜Manufacturer＞ Yamanaka Ishikawa-ya TEL. 0761-78-0218
	Yamanaka Specialty - "Uma-no-kuso Dango" (Literally means "Horse Droppings Rice Cakes") In the past, this rice cake was served along with green tea at tea houses in Yano Village. Village people first learned how to make this rice cake from a fleeing soldier of Heike, and the name "Uma-no-kuso" was given simply because it the rice cake looks like horse droppings. ■For Inquiry Confectionary Shop "Okashidokoro Masuta" TEL. 0761-78-4510
	Yamanaka Specialty - Koorogi-bashi (Cricket Bridge) Associated with the poem "Kagari bi ni/Kajika ya nami no/Shita musebi" by Poet Basho, the "Koorogi-bashi" is prepared using fine selected red beans from Hokkaido. Red beans are slowly cooked to bring out their natural sweet flavour; you can also enjoy the scent of Yamanaka through this confectionary. ■For Inquiry Confectionary Shop "Sankaido"  TEL. 0761-78-1188
	Yamanaka Specialty - Yusen Tamago (Hotspring Eggs) Prepared using the hot spring water from Yamanaka Onsen, the "Yusen Tamago" is not only tasty with its creamy egg yolk and egg white, it can also last for a long time. Enjoy this delicacy with your friends and family. We also take orders and dispatch our products around Japan. ■For Inquiry (Co.Ltd.) Kodesen  TEL. 0761-78-1310
	Yamanaka Onsen Special Products - Jinenjo Potatoes Jinenjo Potato is usually called "Mountain Potato" since it is found in the mountains of Japan. It is also called the "King of Mountain Vegetables" because of its high nutritional values and its unique flavor and stickiness that is different than that of the Chinese yam grown in farmlands. Courier service is also available to any destination in Japan. ■For Inquiry JA Yamanaka  TEL. 0761-78-0525
	Yamanaka Local Sake "Shishi-no-sato" Founded in 1757, this local sake was cultivated alongside the history of Yamanaka Onsen. In the past, females serving the customers in front of the "Kiku-no-yu Traditional Public Bath" would wear their yukata (a kind of Japanese clothing) by pulling the clothing over their shoulders. The scenery of yukata over the shoulder looks like a lion, and from that Yamanaka Onsen was also given the name "Shishi-no-sato" (Land of the Lions). ■For Inquiry Matsuura Sake Brewery  TEL. 0761-78-1125