BEPPU BAMBOO CRAFTS / Beppu City

Although Beppu City is renowned for its hot springs, it is also well recognised for its bamboo crafts. The history of bamboo crafts in Beppu is believed to trace back to the Muromachi period. During the Edo period, the demand for bamboo crafts grew and developed further into creating souvenirs and essential items that could be used by visitors to the hot springs. Later, both functional baskets and colanders, along with beautiful handicrafts, were added to the offering. In 1967, the first bamboo crafts artisan was honoured as a ‘Living National Treasure’, and in 1979, ‘Beppu Bamboo Crafts’ were formally recognised as a ‘Traditional Craft’ by the Japanese government.

The Oita Prefectural Bamboo Crafts Training Centre was established in the city as a vocational training institute to teach traditional bamboo crafting techniques to the next generation. It is the only public vocational training facility in Japan that offers specialised instruction in bamboo crafts, and it continues to cultivate numerous artisans to this day. Thanks to this, a wide variety of products like bamboo accessories and kitchen goods are readily available. Some workshops also provide programmes for visitors to engage in bamboo craftsmanship first–hand.