Tsubame, Metalworking city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Tsubame is a city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, known for its metalworking industry. The Shinano River flows through the area, dividing residential and industrial districts, while workshops and factories line sections of the waterway and the flat plains.
The settlement grew as a river port on the Shinano during the Edo period and began producing metalware in the late 19th century. It was officially designated a city on March 31, 1954, and has since expanded its role as a center for cutlery and tableware production.
Artisans shape stainless steel and copper into cutlery and tableware using methods refined over centuries, and their work is chosen for international gatherings. The workshops here produce everything from everyday spoons to finely crafted bowls, blending manual skill with precision techniques that define the region's reputation.
The area is accessible via the JR Echigo and Yahiko lines, as well as the Hokuriku Expressway, offering regional connections. Visitors will find workshops and retail outlets in the industrial districts, many of which offer demonstrations and direct sales of locally made goods.
More than 90 percent of Japan's silverware comes from workshops here, which combine hand finishing with modern machinery. Some facilities also produce surgical instruments and aerospace tools, applying the same precision required for cutlery to these specialized fields.
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