Okawa, Furniture manufacturing city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Okawa is a furniture manufacturing city in Fukuoka Prefecture that sits along the Chikugo River. The place draws its identity from workshops and makers who craft everything from kitchen cabinets to living room furniture, often tailored to customer requests for homes and businesses.
The area was divided between two domains during the Edo Period before gaining city status in 1954. After becoming a city, the furniture crafting tradition took root and developed into what makes the place a significant production center today.
Local craftspeople in this furniture city produce traditional pieces like Japanese-style wardrobes made from paulownia wood and Buddhist altars that reflect the region's craftsmanship heritage. These items remain central to how residents and visitors understand the place's identity today.
Visitors can explore workshops and speak with craftspeople to understand how custom furniture is made. Spending time in the city to visit different makers offers insight into the hands-on work that defines the place.
The Jojima area produces premium sake and hosts an annual festival each February featuring tastings and production demonstrations. Visitors can watch sake makers at work and understand the craftsmanship behind this local specialty.
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