A bucket given the polite prefix "O." Lifetime galvanized tools made by craftspeople in Himeji.｜OBAKETU
The secret is "caulking" without adhesive or welding.
Craftspeople fold and join the metal by hand — so there are no gaps for rust to start.
It's normal for an Obaketsu to still be in active use after 30 years.
No rust, no leaks, no breaking
Watanabe Metal Industry was founded in 1923 in Himeji City, Hyogo. Starting as a small town factory, this maker has stubbornly stuck with "galvanized steel" (totan) — even in an age awash with cheap plastic. Named "Obaketsu" (the bucket with the polite "O") from the wish that it become "a bucket loved by its owner," it offers durability that doesn't rust or deform even left out in the rain for years. Far beyond a mere cleaning tool, it has earned a place as a "tool for living" that takes center stage in living rooms and kitchens.
Why "OBAKETU" Is Chosen | 3 Reasons
High-grade galvanized steel
Uses Japanese galvanized steel sheet — the same material used for roofing and walls, valued for rust resistance and durability. Because it doesn't use combustible materials like PVC or synthetic resin, it doesn't deteriorate easily even outdoors, and it's an environmentally friendly recyclable material.
"Craft" that prevents leakage
The bucket's base is finished with a special crimping technique that joins metal together under strong force. With waterproofing applied, it's safe to put liquids in. Dirty? Just wash it with water — it can always be kept clean.
360-degree smooth casters
The casters used for rice stockers and trash cans move surprisingly smoothly even with heavy contents inside. The 360-degree rotation means stress-free pulling, even from the back of a tight kitchen or pantry.
Editor's Note
You really understand the greatness of an Obaketsu when you put "rice" in one. We use a 10kg rice stocker at home — thanks to the light-blocking and airtightness of galvanized iron, the rice doesn't dry out even in summer, and bugs don't breed. A nice touch: the lid has a double structure, with a space for insect repellent. And above all — it has casters! Even full of rice, you can move it smoothly with one hand, so cleaning is stress-free. I'm glad it doesn't feel "industrial" in the kitchen — it's actually charming.
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From the hit rice bin to a sturdy outdoor trash can and a graceful mosquito-coil holder. Tough, gentle tools born from Japanese galvanized-roofing technique.
Rice Stocker 10kg (with Casters)
Protect rice's freshness. A blockbuster rice bin with 300,000 units sold.
A masterpiece that proved galvanized iron's "light-blocking" and "temperature/humidity stability" are ideal for rice storage. A high airtight seal with a double lid prevents the rice from drying out and bugs from getting in. With casters, moving even a heavy bin is easy with one finger. Includes a 1-go measuring cup.
Available in 5kg, 10kg, 20kg and 30kg sizes. For tight kitchen storage and under-sink storage.
OBAKETU 42L (with Casters)
Fits a 45L trash bag perfectly. A tough trash can usable outdoors.
A large size that fully accepts a standard 45L trash bag. The lid has a hook so it can be hooked on the rim of the body — handy when taking the trash out. Little odor leaks out and it resists rust, making it excellent as a trash can for the kitchen, balcony or garage.
As a trash can for the kitchen, balcony or garage. Also as a laundry basket or toy bin.
Vegetable Stocker (Small)
Blocks light, allows airflow. Long-lasting storage for potatoes and onions.
A dedicated stocker that blocks "light" — the great enemy of room-temperature vegetables — while creating airflow through vents on the side. The lid uses hinoki, which adds humidity control and insect-repelling effects. Root vegetables last longer without going stuffy. Cute enough to leave out in the kitchen.
Holds about 30 potatoes (4.4kg). For storing onions, carrots, sweet potatoes and more.
Kayari OBAKETU (Mini)
Snuff it out by closing the lid. A safe, portable mosquito-coil holder.
A mosquito-coil holder with a handle, ready to go for camping or BBQ too. Safety design: turn the lid to block the vent and the coil is extinguished by oxygen cut-off, without dirtying your hands. Ash doesn't scatter — safe to use even in homes with children and pets.
For mosquito coils at the entryway, in the garden and on the balcony. Easy to carry as camping gear.
Foot Bath Bucket
Water stays warm. A relaxing bucket with a fragrant hinoki lid.
A bucket sized to fit a foot up to 25cm. Galvanized iron retains heat well, and the hinoki lid keeps steam in so the water doesn't cool quickly. In use, slide the lid slightly aside, put your feet in and enjoy the scent of hinoki.
For cold-foot care and relaxation time. When not in use, as a storage box for towels and the like.
Summary: The charm of old-yet-new galvanized iron.
A galvanized material that mellows in color and gains character as you use it.
Obaketsu, which can be used across generations without breaking the way plastic does,
is a tool that fits the modern "life of not throwing things away."
- Company
- Watanabe Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
- Founded
- 1923
- Address
-
9-12 Minamiyashiro-cho, Himeji City, Hyogo 670-0875, Japan
Google Map - Tel
- +81-79-297-7100
- Business
- Manufacturing and sales of galvanized buckets and interior goods
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