Sabae, Manufacturing center in Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Sabae is a city in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, nestled between mountains and the Takefu basin. The streets follow a mixed pattern of residential and industrial zones, with production facilities scattered among low-rise homes and shops.
The settlement formed around the Buddhist Josho temple and developed into a post station along the travel route from 1720 onward. It gained official city status in 1955 after industrial production became the economic foundation.
Workshops and small factories fill the streets, where craftspeople spend years mastering the art of shaping metal and acetate into frames. Many families pass their skills down through generations, maintaining a tradition that defines daily life here.
The city is easily reached via the Hokuriku Main Line, with the station located centrally and walking distances to most production areas remaining manageable. A stroll through the streets reveals the variety of workshops, and many businesses welcome visitors by prior arrangement.
Nearly all eyeglass frames worn in Japan come from factories in this city. Production is divided among numerous small businesses, each handling just one step in the process and exchanging parts with one another.
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