In this new episode of Explore Sustainable Japan, we travel across Toyama Prefecture in search of local experiences, from community-led festivals to traditional metal casting workshops.
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00:00Toyama Prefecture is where the mountains meet the sea.
00:08Known for its craftsmanship, it's now easier than ever to get to thanks to the recent extension
00:12of the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line.
00:15I'm taking advantage of this new access to explore some of Toyama's historic cities.
00:19People have been making and trading things here for centuries, and I get to try my own
00:23hand at some traditional metalworking.
00:26And it's time to celebrate with the locals at one of the region's spectacular autumn
00:29festivals.
00:36Takaoka City was once a powerful center of commerce and industry in Japan.
00:41Today, Yamachosuji Street is a testament to Takaoka's merchant past, where you can visit
00:46authentic dozozukuri-style homes like the Sugana Residence.
00:50This is one of the largest dozozukuri-style houses in Yamachosuji District.
00:57And they have very thick walls as fireproof, and they have double door windows that also
01:06close when the fire happens.
01:08Both commercial and residential, the houses were rebuilt in the 1900s after a fire burnt
01:14down more than half the city.
01:17This part is a shop area.
01:19Now we are in the negotiation room.
01:22The room is the most valuable room in this house, and they invite the most valuable clients
01:30and have negotiations here.
01:33Visitors can admire the rich details afforded by the merchant's extraordinary wealth, like
01:38lattice wall panels and custom-made nail covers.
01:42Beyond trade, Takaoka was also one of the country's biggest hubs for metal casting,
01:46especially copper.
01:48Over the years, many workshops have been shuttered or have moved away from traditional techniques.
01:53But the iconic Nausaku Factory found a way to maintain its 100-year-old sand casting
01:58method by supporting it through industrial tourism.
02:01To pass down the tradition to the next generation, we are thinking that it is very important
02:06to show our traditional crafts and also the craftsmen working.
02:13Sand casting forgoes chemical treatment and firing, using natural materials that are entirely
02:17recyclable.
02:19At Nausaku, each brass and tin object, no matter how small, is handcrafted and polished,
02:25one by one.
02:26They make it look easy, but can anyone do it?
02:29I'm testing my skills at Nausaku's workshop.
02:33This is a pattern for the item you are going to make today.
02:37So this dent side down, please put this almost the middle inside the frame.
02:42I'm making a sake cup from pure tin, which is said to reduce acidity and enhance the
02:47drink's flavor.
02:49You need a firm but delicate touch, so the sand is densely packed without falling apart.
02:54After removing the mold, Megumi poured in the molten tin.
02:58And just like that, I had a beautiful handmade sake cup.
03:01Thank you so much for teaching me how to make this.
03:04I'm very happy with my little sake cup.
03:06Arigatou gozaimasu.
03:07Arigatou gozaimasu.
03:08Arigatou gozaimasu.
03:09Education isn't the only way to carry on these local traditions.
03:14Every October in Emizu, the Hojozu Hachimangu Shrine Festival brings the whole region out
03:19to take part in a nearly 400-year-old celebration.
03:23Residents young and old parade around town atop intricate hikiyama floats to give thanks
03:30to their Shinto gods and pray for prosperity.
03:33The local deity also comes down to earth atop a portable shrine.
03:37This year's event represents Emizu's post-earthquake recovery.
04:01Mr. Nakano gave me a jacket from his district so I could join the procession.
04:05The energy was incredible, as was the teamwork needed to push these very heavy floats.
04:11Today there are no more artisans in Emizu who know how to make hikiyama, but the customs
04:16are lovingly preserved.
04:29As night falls, flowers are replaced with lanterns, bathing the streets in an ethereal
04:34glow.
04:39Toyama clearly treasures its traditions and the people who keep them going.
04:43Because of events like this festival, the past will live on through future generations.
04:48I felt a strong sense of community here, and it's been a joy taking part in this celebration
04:53of local culture.