The Shinano River, the longest river in Japan, flows through the Tsubame-Sanjo area. The Shinano River nurtures fertile land and has supported farming in the Tsubame-Sanjo area since ancient times. However, the frequent flooding forced people to live in poverty .
Fortunately, there was an abundance of mineral resources, and charcoal was readily available from the vast forests, so the conditions were right for the blacksmithing industry to flourish .
The history of Tsubame-Sanjo
The manufacturing of Japanese iron nails known as "wakugi" emerged as a popular side job in the Edo period. Eventually, the cultivation of new rice fields in the vicinity of the Tsubame-Sanjo area led to this technology being used for the development of agricultural equipment for cultivating crops.
Tsuiki (hand-hammered) copperware also became popular after that, with the area flourishing as a producer of Western tableware in the Taisho era, turning it into a major metalworking hub.
THE TSUBAME-SANJO FACTORY FESTIVAL
The Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival is held in the Tsubame-Sanjo area in the first week of October every year, during which the factories are open to the general public.
113 factories participated in this event in 2019, which attracted around 57,000 visitors.
Various events are held during the festival, including factory visits, a trade show featuring products made in the Tsubame-Sanjo area, and the Aozora Bazaar.
The Tsubame-Sanjo trade show in 2019 showcased a variety of iconic products from the area ranging from kitchenware and outdoor equipment to scissors, knives, and saws, and enthusiastic negotiations could be seen between buyers and the exhibitors at every booth.
Tsubame-Sanjo is one of the leading knife-making areas in Japan, with over 4 billion yen of knives shipped annually. The 2019 trade show also included a kitchen knife fair that showcased more than 500 different knives made by around 30 companies ranging from knives for professionals to those for use in home kitchens. The trade show also attracted many advance enquiries from overseas, in addition to the many overseas buyers who attended the event in person.
Companies in Tsubame-Sanjo area
TAIYOUKINZOKU Co.,Ltd.
TAIYOUKINZOKU Co., Ltd. develops and manufacture products for site improvement and environmental improvement in the city of manufacturing “Tsubame”. Awareness of manufacturing sites in shipped from their factor not only to factories in Japan but also to various sites. The production shipment by the OEM is also available.
OKABE YOSHOKKI Co.,Ltd.
OKABE YOSHIKKI CO.,LTD was founded in 1954 and has been manufacturing and selling kitchen accessories centering on cutlery for many years. They plan and sell safe and secure products that are convenient and easy to use for babies, nursing care, and kitchens that seems “I wanted something like this!”
SHIMOMURA KIHAN Co.,Ltd.
SHIMOMURA KIHAN CO., LTD. is a company that plans, develops, and manufactures kitchenware. They carry out their planning, development, and production operations in Tsubame-Sanjo. They are involved in designing a wide range of products from cookware to kitchen knives and cooking utensils, which are then developed in collaboration with their local partner factories. Their strength lies in our extensive manufacturing expertise.
GREEN LIFE Co.,Ltd.
GREEN LIFE CO., LTD is a planning, development and sales company with their own original brand called "Green Life." The company was established in 1977 and located in Tsubame-Sanjo area. They sell to customers all over Japan. Of particular noteworthiness is that their rank number one in the hose reel market and the household mailbox market.
YAJIMAYA Co.,Ltd.
Around the time of the establishment around 1900, there ware many companies in the Northern part of Japan that operated side businesses dealing in wholesale and retail. At this time, based on the needs of customers who visited the shop owners and sales clerks would listen to customer consultations order products at local blacksmith’s, then distribute them. Even now, they have kept the same traditions since the establishment, grasping the needs of their users and offering products to buyers.
SUGIYAMA KINZOKU Co.,Ltd.
SUGIYAMA KINZOKU CO.,LTD. was established in 1942, and manufacture the metal devises such as household cooking utensils. They aim for manufacturing that makes both the customer and manufacturer happy.
NEXTY Co.,Ltd.
Ever since Nexty Co., Ltd. establishment in 1953, they have been conducting business with the aim of becoming a research and development-type company based on the ideal of “studying soup stock scientifically.” In addition to manufacturing from the perspective of artisanal sensuality, they make use of scientific analysis and numeric data to proactively undertake initiatives with the ais of standardized product quality, safety, and peace of mind, as well as the development of new products. They currently carry 500 products have conducted BtoB transactions with more than 7,000 domestic companies and have an annual turnover of about three billion yen.
ENDO SHOJI INCORPORATED
For half a century, ENDO SHOJI INCORPORATED have provided professional kitchens with fine quality kitchenware. They contribute to setting the stage for higher quality cuisine. Their fundamental policy is that meet the diverse needs of our customers with a vast selection that is carefully chosen from both Japan and other nations around the world, to deliver what you need as speedily as possible.
PLUS Y’S Co.,Ltd.
PLUS Y’S CO., LTD. is one of the leading suppliers of agricultural products. Their main target is to support famers, Agri companies and tools suppliers in the world by exporting high-quality Japanese products. They are always aiming at improving in the quality of service by making market studies and keep updated records for market needs and changes.
KIKUWA Co.,Ltd.
Bonsai is a unique part of Japanese culture, and the tools used for bonsai were also invented, and perfected, in Japan. KIKUWA CO., LTD. is established in 1957 and located in Sanjo City, famous among the cutlery producing areas in Japan for the production of bonsai tools. They engage numerous cutlery craftsmen and metalworking manufacturers for the production of original bonsai tools, and they have the largest inventory of bonsai tools in Japan.
SUMMIT KOGYO Co.,Ltd.
Founded in 1947, SUMMIT KOGYO CO., LTD. is the leading manufacturer of iron pans in Japan. At present, they have a subsidiary factories, specializing in manufacturing iron pans, such as wok, frying pan, and deep fryer. Their products are widely sold at major department stores in Japan. With their excellent products and perfect services, they hope that they will establish long and friendly business relationships with you in near future.
MT-TORIMATSU Co.,Ltd.
Founded in 1937, MT-TORIMATSU CO., LTD. have been a general wholesale distributor for commercial kitchen equipment products for over 70 years. They are one of the well established companies in Tsubame City, that is well known for its high quality stainless steel products. At present, in addition to the headquarters distribution center, they have 5 other distribution centers. They mainly specialize in providing commercial kitchen equipment and school meal supply products. They have business relations with commercial kitchen equipment retailers, home kitchen equipment retailers, and school meal supply centers throughout Japan.
WAHEI FREIZ CORPORATION
WAHEI FREIZ CORPORATION was established in 1951. Since then, it has become one of the biggest suppliers of cookware in Japan. They produce various types of kitchen cookware and deliver them to homes all over through their distributors nationwide. They'd like to deliver smiles to every dining table with their excellent cookware.
