Wajima Nuri Taro

Wajima City on the Noto Peninsula is one of Japan’s most famous production areas for lacquerware. Thanks to the local climate and long tradition, the region has developed a unique style known as Wajima-nuri, characterised by robust undercoating and refined finishes. Based in this environment, Wajima Nuri Taro operates a lacquerware workshop, shop, hands-on studio and café while producing and selling its own pieces.

To be called “Wajima-nuri,” a piece must be made by craftsmen in Wajima, use “Wajima ji-no-ko” powder and a fabric-reinforced hon-kataji undercoat, and be finished with natural lacquer on a wooden base. At Wajima Nuri Taro, only products that meet these conditions are labelled as Wajima lacquerware. Each piece goes through more than twenty production steps and takes at least several months to complete.

Because the workshop carries out each process itself—from wooden base preparation and multiple layers of undercoating and top coating to maki-e and chinkin decoration—it can ensure consistent quality and provide pieces whose origin and makers are clearly identifiable. This workshop-direct structure also makes it possible to offer authentic Wajima lacquerware at reasonable, transparent prices.

The product lineup covers a wide range of items, including soup and rice bowls, lidded bowls and large bowls, beer tumblers and rock cups, sake cups and guinomi, jubako and bento boxes, trays, flower vases in various shapes, chopsticks and accessories. There are simple, undecorated items for everyday use as well as pieces adorned with hand-painted gold maki-e and hand-carved chinkin designs, along with curated gift sets and bridal gifts.

To help people understand how Wajima lacquerware is made, the company provides content introducing the production process and explaining what defines genuine Wajima-nuri—its materials, the number of steps involved and how easily it can be repaired and used over many years. Through its website, online shop and group EC sites, Wajima Nuri Taro communicates the appeal of “Made in Nippon” craftsmanship and the richness of Japanese table culture.

While the workshop continues to recover from the impact of recent natural disasters in the region, it is preparing to restart more hands-on experiences and is also working on developing new products. By combining time-honoured techniques with a commitment to everyday usability, Wajima Nuri Taro aims to keep the技術and spirit of Wajima lacquerware alive for future generations.

Workshop-direct Wajima lacquerware

Wajima Nuri Taro runs a workshop, store, online shop, hands-on studio and café as an integrated operation. By keeping production and sales under one roof, it offers authentic Wajima lacquerware whose origin and makers are clear, and delivers it directly from the workshop to customers.

Natural wood, natural urushi and robust undercoating

All Wajima-nuri pieces at the shop are made with natural wood bases, robust hon-kataji undercoating reinforced with cloth and Wajima ji-no-ko powder, and multiple layers of natural urushi lacquer applied by hand. This construction provides not only a beautiful finish but also durability and reparability, so the pieces can be used for many years.

Broad lineup from bowls to flower vases

The lineup ranges from bowls for rice and soup to lidded bowls, beer tumblers, rock cups, sake cups, jubako and bento boxes, trays, flower vases, chopsticks, tea utensils and accessories. Items are grouped by category, use scene and gift occasion, making it easy for customers to find pieces that suit both everyday dining and special celebrations.

Hands-on workshop and “urushi-warehouse café”

The company runs an experience workshop where visitors can try urushi coating and other processes, as well as a café housed in a former lacquer warehouse. These spaces allow people not only to purchase lacquerware but also to see how it is made and to spend time in an interior finished with lacquer, deepening their appreciation of the craft.

Membership benefits and multi-site EC service

Through its e-commerce sites, Wajima Nuri Taro offers member benefits that apply across several related online shops, along with multiple payment options and free shipping above a certain order amount. By providing a reliable online shopping environment, the company makes it easy to incorporate authentic Wajima lacquerware into daily life, even from afar.