About us
Concept
Since opening our doors in Kyoto in 1967, the Kyoto Handicraft Center has welcomed visitors from around the world with a curated selection of traditional Japanese crafts and fine arts.
Guided by our concept, “Enriching life with Japanese craftsmanship,” we strive to share the timeless beauty and artistry that have been passed down through generations.
Our online store brings this experience to you wherever you are, offering carefully selected items crafted in Japan. Shopping with us is like taking a journey through Japan—safe, authentic, and inspiring.
From Kyoto to the world, it is our joy to deliver moments of serenity and discovery through traditional craftsmanship. We invite you to find your own special piece at the Kyoto Handicraft Center.
Our company
The Kyoto Handicraft Center is located in two buildings near the Heian-jingu Shrine in the Higashiyama area, one of the most scenic and historical places in Kyoto.
We offer not only Japanese traditional crafts but also wonderful shopping experiences and craft-making classes for domestic and international visitors. Our craft-making classes are enjoyed by everyone, including school excursion students, foreign visitors, and domestic individual customers, making your stay in Kyoto even more memorable.
In addition, we have a dining restaurant that offers authentic Japanese traditional cuisine. We offer a variety of suggestions for meals that allow you to experience Kyoto and the four seasons, and we can prepare a dish that suits your needs.
Our company started in 1947 under the name of Amita Damascene Corporation, as an atelier that manufactured the Kyo Zogan, a traditional Damascene craft work used historically as decoration for Samurai armor and swords.
In 1967, we opened KYOTO HANDICRAFT CENTER as a tax-free shopping building to respond to the needs of increasing foreign visitors in Kyoto. Today, our deals include not only Kyo Zogan (Damascene) but also various kinds of Japanese traditional crafts.
Until present, KYOTO HANDICRAFT CENTER has been loved by numerous customers over several generation.
Our product Kyoto Damascene "Kyo Zogan"
Our company originated as an atelier manufacturing Kyo Zogan over 70 years ago. It has become one of our iconic items, and in English, Kyo Zogan is also known as Damascene.
Kyo Zogan is a traditional Kyoto handicraft, created by carving a cloth-like weave inlay into a thin sheet of iron, inlaying pure gold and silver designs onto the texture, applying lacquer over it, and finally engraving fine lines onto the gold and silver patterns after polishing them. This delicate and intricate process requires extreme concentration and skill, resulting in the elegant beauty of Kyo Zogan.
From the 14th century to the 19th century, Kyo Zogan was widely used as an ornament for Japanese swords and armor, and there were many master craftsmen. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), Otojiro Komai and other craftsmen gained attention at overseas world expositions, showcasing their intricate Kyo Zogan inlays in art crafts such as flower vases for foreign visitors.
During the Second World War, Kyo Zogan artisans were scattered, but they returned to the atelier after the war, dedicating themselves to manufacturing various kinds of Kyo Zogan crafts, including jewelry and luxury ornaments, with their delicate techniques and great sense of artistry.
SAIKA
Located on the 7th floor of the Kyoto Handicraft Center, SAIKA is a select shop for English picture books, featuring both world classics and newly published titles.
Families traveling with young children can also enjoy a small, paid indoor play area for babies and toddlers – a spot loved by local families. The play area features toys that have been donated by children who have outgrown them, giving them a second life in a sustainable way.
SAIKA is not only a place for travelers but also a welcoming space where locals and visitors can meet, relax, and share the joy of stories together.