In the heart of Nasu’s historic hot spring town stands a shop whose old wooden frame seems to tell a story. This is Michinoku Mingei, a treasure trove of Japanese folk crafts. To meet its owner, Nasu’s local Kazunori Fujita, is to know Nasu itself.
Mr Fujita once aspired to be a teacher, but a deep love for his hometown led him back to the family business. In truth, he never stopped teaching. Step inside his shop, and you become his student. For example, visitors listen intently as he shares the history of Nasu, the rhythm of its seasons, and the profound beauty of mingei. The shelves are filled with the warmth of handmade goods from across Japan. The local shinotakezaiku (篠竹細工), which is a form of intricate bamboo weaving, feels truly special. Indeed, it conveys the spirit of the maker in every strand.
However, Mr Fujita’s real gift is the local wisdom he shares so generously. He’ll tell you the history of Shika-no-yu, Tochigi Prefecture’s oldest onsen, and how its famously acidic waters have healed travellers for centuries. Additionally, he can point you to the secret habitat of a rare sulphur moss that grows quietly on the area’s volcanic soil.
He’ll also let you in on the location of the ‘Lover’s Sanctuary’. This is a spectacular viewpoint where, on a clear day, the entire Kanto Plain unfolds below. You even have a chance of spotting Mt. Fuji in the distance. To ensure visitors can explore with confidence, he has even created his own hand-drawn map of the town.
A conversation with Mr Fujita offers more than just a souvenir. In fact, it is a chance to form a true connection with Nasu. His shop is not merely a place to stop by on your way through town. Instead, it is a destination in its own right.
Artist
Michinoku Mingei
130-1 Yumoto, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi-ken 325-0301
0287-76-2337
Be sure to ask for stories about a shop beloved by local figures like the doctor and author Taizan Mikawa and the artist Yutaka Igarashi, to get a deeper feel for the nostalgic side of Nasu.
