EVENT | Dates Set for the Second Annual "Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival"
Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival
An annual event where companies in the Tsubame-Sanjo region of Niigata Prefecture open their factories to the public.
Dates Announced for the 2nd Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival!
First event held last OctoberThe Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival, which attracted over 10,000 visitors from across Japan last October, garnered significant attention.Invited by a Milan-based group, exhibited at Milan Salone in Apriland displayed at "La Fabbrica del Vapore," a facility in a former locomotive factory. The dates for the second Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival have now been set for October 2nd (Thursday) to October 5th (Sunday), a four-day period.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)
A "journey through factories" where 59 normally closed facilities open their doors
The Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival offers a chance to visit and experience the manufacturing sites of renowned companies in the Tsubame-Sanjo region of Niigata Prefecture. It became a major talking point last year as a valuable opportunity to interact with factory workers and witness Japanese manufacturing firsthand.
This year, the second iteration, themed "journey," will open factories that are usually inaccessible to the public for a limited time. Visitors can experience the actual production sites, and some participating factories will offer tours and hands-on workshops, making it enjoyable for all ages.
This year also plans to host an official reception party across multiple factory venues (details on the website below).
Focus on collaborative content with the event
As part of its collaborative content, the "Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival" will feature the "Tsubame Blue Sky Sale," offering metal Western tableware such as knives, forks, and spoons, as well as kitchenware like pots and pans, household goods, and hammered copperware (tsuiki douki) such as tea canisters, saucers, and pitchers, at 20-50% off the regular price. There will also be "Tsubame-Sanjo Field Cafe," a special cafe space offering seasonal vegetables and more, allowing visitors to casually experience the local charm.
The Tsubame-Sanjo region, prosperous as a "city of hardware" since the Edo period, receives many orders for highly skilled craftsmanship, with some items taking several years from order to delivery. However, some factories struggle with passing on their techniques due to a lack of successors. Alongside the enjoyable factory tours, it is also an opportunity to learn about the current situation of these factories.
Outline of the 2nd Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival
Dates: October 2nd (Thursday) - October 5th (Sunday)
Hours: 9:00 - 16:00 (excluding 12:00 - 13:00)
*Please check the website for exceptions at individual factories.
Number of participating factories: 59 (as of June 23rd)
Location: Entire Tsubame City and Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture
Special bus service planned from JR East "Tsubame-Sanjo Station"
Organizer/Operator: "Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival" Executive Committee
Overall Event Supervision: method
Art Direction/Design: SPREAD
Editorial (Booklet): BACH
Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival Official Website
http://kouba-fes.jp
Official Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/koubafes