Miyake, town in Shiki district, Nara prefecture, Japan
Miyake is a small town in Nara Prefecture located on flat land with rice paddies and green surroundings. The narrow streets are lined with modest wooden houses and local shops that give the place its quiet, accessible character.
Miyake was settled in ancient times and is mentioned in the Man'yoshu, one of Japan's oldest poetry collections. It became a center for leather and textile work, with crafts that continue to this day.
The town's identity centers on its craftsmanship traditions, especially in making baseball gloves and textiles by hand. These skills remain visible in daily work and workshops, where artisans take pride in their knowledge passed down through generations.
The town's small size makes it easy to explore on foot or by bike. The Kintetsu Railway connects Miyake to larger cities in the region, making day trips or peaceful overnight stays simple to arrange.
Miyake is one of Japan's smallest towns and has a long tradition of hand-crafting baseball gloves that become more comfortable with age. The factory Yoshikawa Kiyoshi Shoten, operating since 1952, allows visitors to watch artisans at work without needing a formal tour.
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