To help people gain a deeper understanding of the appeal of traditional crafts, “owned media” operated by craftspeople, brands, and regional associations themselves is increasing. These official platforms serve as vital tools for sharing stories that only they can tell—the voices of artisans, detailed production processes, and their dedication to their products—while building relationships with fans.
This article provides a comprehensive list of owned media specializing in traditional crafts, clearly summarizing the characteristics and noteworthy points of each. Please use this as a resource for information gathering, brand understanding, and finding hints for sales channel development.
*The data listed is current as of July 28, 2025.
(Updates planned regularly)
Table of Contents
Traditional Craft Media List – 20 Selections (Latest Edition)
We have carefully selected official and specialized media that introduce traditional craft products, artisan techniques, and regional cultures from across Japan from multiple perspectives. Please utilize these as information sources for sales channel development, trend analysis, and procurement considerations.
1. Kogei Japonica
Kogei Japonica is a media platform that disseminates information about Japanese traditional crafts both domestically and internationally. Through craft artist interviews, on-site production coverage, exhibition and event reports, regional craft culture introductions, and glossaries, it explores the appeal and background of crafts from diverse perspectives.
Articles are developed in both Japanese and English, aiming to serve as a valuable information source not only for domestic readers but also for overseas craft enthusiasts, researchers, and buyers.
By conveying the “present” of Japanese crafts where tradition and innovation intersect from multiple angles and continuously, it shares their value and potential broadly with society.
- Official Media URL: https://kogei-japonica.com/
- Operated by: ARTerrace, Inc.
2. Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square
A media site based on the official showroom in Tokyo’s Aoyama that displays and sells 243 categories of traditional craft products from across Japan. It also disseminates craftspeople interviews and production demonstration information, making it ideal as a reference for sales promotion and regional collaboration linked with physical stores.
The quality of YouTube videos is exceptionally high, with stunning visual beauty that brings out the appeal of craftspeople.
(Channel subscribers: 163,000)
- Official Media URL: https://kougeihin.jp
- Operated by: Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries
3. KOGEI STANDARD
It conveys the “now” of contemporary crafts including ceramics, lacquerware, glass, woodwork, and metalwork through beautiful photography. Their dedicated editorial team visits craft regions throughout Japan, sharing deep content that encompasses craftspeople’s stories and Japanese aesthetic concepts such as “wabi-sabi” and “functional beauty.” It serves as a quality platform for craft enthusiasts both domestically and internationally, featuring exhibition information and artisan interviews.
- Official Media URL: https://www.kogeistandard.com/jp/
- Operated by: HULS Co., Ltd.
4. ontowa
Based in Kamakura, the company provides quality content for craft fans by interpreting crafts from the perspectives of ideas, history, and culture that have long been rooted in Japan. Through new media experiences including paid article voluntary payment systems, AI voice reading, and live streaming services, they convey the appeal of crafts.
- Official Media URL: https://ontowa.com
- Operated by: Japan Growers Co., Ltd.
5. Discover Japan
It serves as an effective information source for learning story branding through artisan interviews, regional features, and product reviews.
- URL: https://discoverjapan-web.com
- Operated by: Discover Japan Co., Ltd.
6. “Nikkei Cross Trend” Traditional Craft Features
A wealth of high-quality articles providing references from marketing perspectives and the latest information.
- Official Media URL: https://xtrend.nikkei.com/
- Operated by: Nikkei BP Inc.
7. KAERU
Articles feature artisan interviews, regional reports, and marketing case studies from business perspectives that can be enjoyed while learning.
It abundantly features practical information useful for business operators while emphasizing entertainment value.
- Official Media URL: https://kaeru-kogei.com
- Operated by: The FAN LLC
8. Bijutsu Techo (Art Notebook)
It serves as a comprehensive information source supported by a wide range of people from art enthusiasts to professionals.
- Official Media URL: https://bijutsutecho.com
- Operated by: Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.
9. KURAFT
- Official Media URL: https://kuraft.jp/
- Operated by: Sun Broadband Co., Ltd.
10. Wagokoro
Since its launch in October 2018, it has exceeded 1 million monthly page views, covering a wide range of fields from traditional crafts to traditional performing arts, Japanese musical instruments, and Japanese events.
It abundantly features artisan interviews and hands-on experience articles, providing practical information dissemination to preserve Japanese traditional culture for future generations.
- Official Media URL: https://wa-gokoro.jp/
- Operated by: KAZAANA Co., Ltd.
11. BECOS Journal
- Official Media URL: https://journal.thebecos.com/
- Operated by: KAZAANA Co., Ltd.
12. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Reading Materials
Through diverse perspectives including artisan interviews, regional introductions, how to use lifestyle tools, and seasonal columns, it delves deep into “ways of living and being that Japanese crafts teach us.”
It features information dissemination that combines comprehensiveness and practicality as reading material, linking with product development and store activities.
It continuously provides content that satisfies intellectual curiosity for readers interested in traditional crafts and thoughtful living.
- Official Media URL: https://story.nakagawa-masashichi.jp/
- Operated by: Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten
13. JAPAN HOUSE
A cultural dissemination media section operated by Japan House Los Angeles.
It disseminates a wide range of topics from Japanese traditional crafts to contemporary art in English, providing detailed introductions to artisan interviews, technique explanations, and cultural backgrounds.
Feature articles related to crafts such as “Heritage by Hand” are substantial, making it useful as reference material for overseas promotion and local PR.
- Official Media URL: https://www.japanhouse.jp/
- Operated by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
14. CRAFT LETTER
In 2024, it strengthened its platform functions and introduced e-commerce payment with clearly stated regional return rates. It connects craft fans and stakeholders through transparent economic circulation, supporting sustainable industrial development.
- Official Media URL: https://craftletter.jp/
- Operated by: Japan Craft Copyright Association Co., Ltd.
15. Watoji
It daily updates 12 craft channels including lacquer, ceramics, dyeing and weaving, and glass, as well as social issues and experience event information. It provides exhibition and event displays optimized for user interests and exclusive information, creating connections between Japanese culture fans and related parties both domestically and internationally.
- Official Media URL: https://watoji.jp
- Operated by: The Creation of Japan (CoJ)
16. Nippon Teshigoto Zukan (Japan Handcraft Encyclopedia)
Nippon Teshigoto Zukan is a video media that introduces Japan’s proud culture and artisan skills through artisan interviews.
It has produced over 90 videos of crafts and handwork from nearly 100 regions across Japan, deeply conveying artisans’ techniques and thoughts. Beyond video distribution, it develops multifaceted activities to connect Japanese handwork to the future, including traditional craft successor training internships and product development support.
- Official Media URL: https://nippon-teshigoto.jp
- Operated by: Nippon Teshigoto Zukan Co., Ltd.
17. Waknot | Traditional Crafts that Color Life
It carefully explains the appeal of craft products such as Shiozawa tsumugi and Otani pottery from the perspectives of history, materials, and usage, disseminating proposals for incorporating them into daily life. It delivers the value and appeal of traditional crafts in an easy-to-understand manner to readers interested in ethical consumption and thoughtful living.
- Official Media URL: https://waknot.com/
- Operated by: Masa Co., Ltd.
Summary
Utilizing traditional craft media goes beyond simple information gathering and becomes a powerful tool for brand storytelling, sales strategy, and customer communication design.
The 20 media outlets introduced today provide diverse information ranging from artisan voices and production backgrounds to regional brand initiatives and overseas dissemination methods.
It’s essential to understand the characteristics of each media and constantly consider how to apply them to your company’s product development, sales channel development, and promotional planning.
Please make full use of these resources to build systems that deliver new values of traditional crafts to society.
