Uploaded February 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
At the Tabi to Kurashi Museum in Gyoda City, you can observe the skilled techniques and craftsmanship required to make Japanese tabi socks first-hand. You can even pick out the materials for and watch the creation of your own one-of-a-kind tabi!
During the 1930s, Gyoda City became the number one manufacturer of tabi in Japan, accounting for approximately 80 percent of production nationwide. This lead to Gyoda City becoming known as the city of tabi. Recently, Gyoda City attracted even more attention with the 2017 debut of the critically acclaimed drama Rikuoh, starring Koji Yakusho, Kento Yamazaki, and Ryoma Takeuchi, that follows the lives of tabi workshop employees and their quest to revive the popularity of tabi in Japan.
Although the relocation of factories to sites overseas and a decrease in people wearing traditional Japanese kimono have led to lower tabi productions rates, you can still purchase tabi lovingly hand-crafted by experts in Gyoda City. The process starts with you hand selecting your fabric of choice and watching as experts employ their knowledge and skills to cut and shape your very own tabi using an array of processes and techniques. While staff explain each step of the detailed manufacturing process, you'll find yourself growing increasingly attached to your new tabi as they take shape before your very eyes.
The Tabi to Kurashi Museum is actually a remodeled manufacturing warehouse, meaning you can fully immerse yourself in the history of tabi in Gyoda City thanks to the authentic building and machines. Because tabi are suitable for wear as socks even when you aren't wearing traditional Japanese clothing, they are ideal as a gift or souvenir for yourself or a friend! You can also come just to watch the friendly staff as they lovingly create unique tabi on other days of the month!
So why not visit Gyoda City in Saitama Prefecture and see this timeless craft in action? We promise it'll knock your socks off!
pref.saitama.lg.jp/chokotabi-saitama/eng/spot/sp151.html
tabigura.net/tabihaku.html
At the Tabi to Kurashi Museum in Gyoda City, you can observe the skilled techniques and craftsmanship required to make Japanese tabi socks first-hand. You can even pick out the materials for and watch the creation of your own one-of-a-kind tabi!
During the 1930s, Gyoda City became the number one manufacturer of tabi in Japan, accounting for approximately 80 percent of production nationwide. This lead to Gyoda City becoming known as the city of tabi. Recently, Gyoda City attracted even more attention with the 2017 debut of the critically acclaimed drama Rikuoh, starring Koji Yakusho, Kento Yamazaki, and Ryoma Takeuchi, that follows the lives of tabi workshop employees and their quest to revive the popularity of tabi in Japan.
Although the relocation of factories to sites overseas and a decrease in people wearing traditional Japanese kimono have led to lower tabi productions rates, you can still purchase tabi lovingly hand-crafted by experts in Gyoda City. The process starts with you hand selecting your fabric of choice and watching as experts employ their knowledge and skills to cut and shape your very own tabi using an array of processes and techniques. While staff explain each step of the detailed manufacturing process, you'll find yourself growing increasingly attached to your new tabi as they take shape before your very eyes.
The Tabi to Kurashi Museum is actually a remodeled manufacturing warehouse, meaning you can fully immerse yourself in the history of tabi in Gyoda City thanks to the authentic building and machines. Because tabi are suitable for wear as socks even when you aren't wearing traditional Japanese clothing, they are ideal as a gift or souvenir for yourself or a friend! You can also come just to watch the friendly staff as they lovingly create unique tabi on other days of the month!
So why not visit Gyoda City in Saitama Prefecture and see this timeless craft in action? We promise it'll knock your socks off!
pref.saitama.lg.jp/chokotabi-saitama/eng/spot/sp151.html
tabigura.net/tabihaku.html
