The Tsubame-Sanjo area is located close to the center of Niigata Prefecture. This area consists of two cities, Tsubame-city and Sanjo-city. Since the Edo period, hammered copperware in Tsubame, and swordsmiths in Sanjo have developed, making Tsubame-Sanjo a major production area for metal working. Even though industrialization has progressed in recent times, many craftsmen who inherited the traditional techniques for blacksmithing and hammering are still actively working.

The “Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival” that started in 2013 will be opening up KOUBA, a manufacturing site which is usually closed, for people to come visit and experience the sites of metalworking, blacksmithing, woodworking, printing, and agriculture. This year, with the theme “Beyond KOUBA! 3 Days of Transforming the Festival to a Sacred Place,” a total of 82 “KOUBA” sites will open to the public from the 7 to 9 of October 2022, including 62 manufacturing factories, 7 cultivation fields for farming, and 13 purchasing sites for shopping. Elaborate workshops and tours will be held at each KOUBA, official themed guided tours will be given by people with a deep knowledge of local manufacturing, and part of the “Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Museum” which gained recognition when it was held at the former big factory site last year will be specially exhibited at a venue inside of Tsubame-Sanjo station. In the evening, there will be a reception party at KOUBA where you can interact with artisans. Everyone from children to adults can come and indulge in a full day experience at Tsubame-Sanjo.

For the first time in three years since the coronavirus pandemic, the factory festival will be carried out in the style of paying visits to various factories. However, this style of exhibition will be scheduled to change from next year onwards. As this is the event’s 10th anniversary, we recommend you to take this opportunity to come visit the sites.

■ General information
“Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival 2022”
Dates: October 7 to 9, 2022, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm * Except 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Venue: Whole area of Sanjo-city, Tsubame-city in Niigata Prefecture and around the area
Participating in KOUBA: 82 sites (as scheduled)

Access: From JR Tsubame-Sanjo station, please use trains, taxis or rental cars to visit each KOUBA site.
Sponsor: “Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival” committee

Website: http://kouba-fes.jp

* Schedule and details are subjected to change without prior notice. Please check directly with the organizer for the latest information.
* You may need to make a pre-reservation for workshops and factory tours.