About JTCW
What is JTCW?
The JAPAN TRADITIONAL CRAFTS WEEK (JTCW) is a 14-day event that showcases and sells traditional crafts from across Japan at lifestyle shops in Tokyo. It connects creators, sellers, and users, ultimately supporting craft-production areas.
This year, 30 traditional crafts and 30 lifestyle shops in Tokyo will participate, each shop selecting traditional crafts from their unique perspective for display and sale.
During the event, production demonstrations and hands-on events are scheduled to be held. Take this opportunity to experience the charm of Japan's beautiful handicrafts.
How to enjoy JTCW2025
1See, learn about, and purchase traditional crafts made by artisans from across Japan
"Wanting you to learn about traditional crafts’ skills and beauty, which we hope to pass on and hand down to future generations"
With such a thought in mind, lifestyle shop buyers will dig deeply into and introduce each traditional craft.
2Enjoy along with strolling around the city
This year's JTCW will be held at 30 stores across Tokyo. Enjoy a stroll in Tokyo amid autumn colors while encountering carefully selected traditional crafts.
3See and experience the skills of artisans
During the event, some stores will invite artisans to have them demonstrate their skills or provide hands-on workshops for visitors.
Check detailed schedules here.
4Purchase eligible products and receive an original gift!
During JTCW, if you purchase eligible traditional crafts at any participating store and complete a brief questionnaire, you will receive an “Washi tape” on the spot.
Please refer to the detailed page from here for more information.
*Limited in quantity. The giveaway will end as soon as the gifts run out at each store.
About Japan Traditional Crafts
Aside from the general term "traditional craft," this term refers to crafts that meet all five of the following criteria that have been designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry under law. While assuming traditional materials and techniques, they are made with ingenuity to suit modern lifestyles.
1They are crafts that enrich people’s lives.
2They are not mass-produced by machines; parts that greatly affect the distinct features of a product are handmade by artisans.
3They are made using traditional skills and techniques that have been passed down to the present from more than 100 years ago.
4They are made from materials that have been traditionally used from more than 100 years ago to the present (if some materials are already depleted or extremely difficult to obtain, similar materials are accepted).
5They have been produced on a certain scale in a certain area.
Currently, there are 243 nationally designated traditional crafts (as of September 2025).
Organizer
The Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries
The Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries was established in 1975 with the support of the current Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to promote Japan's traditional craft industry. There are various crafts throughout Japan such as ceramics, lacquerware, dyeing and weaving, and Japanese washi paper, and among them, 243 crafts have been designated as traditional crafts by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (as of September 2025). In addition to promoting the industry through a wide variety of businesses, the Association operates Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square which helps connect production areas with users.
The Traditional Mark
This is the symbol mark for traditional crafts designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Designed by a renowned designer, the late Yusaku Kamekura, it combines the Chinese character "den" (meaning: to pass down) with a red circle reminiscent of the Japanese flag.
Products that are made using the skills, techniques, and raw materials designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and that pass the production area inspection are affixed with a "Tradition Certificate Stamp" featuring the design of the Traditional Mark. Products bearing this Tradition Certificate Stamp are brought to customers with pride and responsibility for their quality.
Aoyama Square
You can see, touch, and experience crafts from across Japan
Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square is a gallery and shop which deals with traditional crafts that Japan is proud of. We hold various events such as production demonstrations by leading craftsmen, workshops that can be enjoyed regardless of age, and special exhibitions comprised of valuable crafts. Enjoy an encounter with masterpieces where tradition and modernity blend in.
- Address
- 1F, 8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- TEL
- +81-5785-1301
- Opening
hours - 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Please note: Closed at 6:00 PM on October 23 (Thursday) and opens at 12:00 PM on October 24 (Friday). - Store
holiday - Holidays during the period: None
- WEB
- https://kougeihin.jp/
