Ichibamachi, a Craft Festival Connecting Town and People Through Crafts, Celebrates its 15th Anniversary! Scheduled for September 18-20, 2026

Ichibamachi, an integrated craft and art event (Executive Committee Chairman Kotaro Kunimoto), has been held in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, a city where traditional industries like copperware and lacquerware have thrived for over 400 years, since 2012. Since its inception in 2012, it has continuously evolved, involving local people, artisans, and visitors, and is now celebrating its 15th anniversary. This year, 'Ichibamachi 2026' will be held for three days from September 18th (Friday) to 20th (Sunday), 2026, at multiple locations in Takaoka City, primarily in the Yamamachi-suji and Otaya areas. It will be powered up to allow visitors to enjoy the entire city of Takaoka, including special events tracing its 15-year history. (Content will be gradually released on Instagram). Ichibamachi, celebrating its 15th anniversary, will be held for three days from September 18th (Friday) to 20th (Sunday), 2026, at multiple locations in Takaoka City, primarily in the Yamamachi-suji and Otaya areas. ■ Three days to encounter, touch, and experience crafts and art in Takaoka City Since its launch in 2012, Ichibamachi, held every autumn, has functioned not merely as an event, but as a 'place that connects the city and people through crafts,' exploring the sustainability of craft-producing regions. In 2022, it received the Prime Minister's Award, the highest honor, at the 'Furusato Event Awards,' which recognizes events that generate regional vitality nationwide. This year, marking a milestone, in addition to popular content such as 'Mononoichi' (market of goods) with plenty of workshops and gourmet food for families, special projects and conferences are also planned. ■ Outline of Ichibamachi 2026 ■ Dates: September 18 (Fri) - September 20 (Sun), 2026 ■ Location: Central Takaoka City (primarily Yamamachi-suji area, Otaya area) ■ Contents: 15th Anniversary Special Events, Exhibition and Sales of Crafts & Artworks, Open Factories, Sales of Local Gourmet Food, Craft Workshops by Traditional Industry Artisans and Artists, etc. ■ Official Website: https://ichibamachi.jp/ (Search for 'Ichibamachi') ■ Official Instagram: @ichibamachi (https://x.gd/f0eDY) ■ Contact: Takaoka Craft Ichibamachi Executive Committee (Email: ichibamachi@gmail.com) ■ Organizer: Takaoka Craft Ichibamachi Executive Committee ■ Constituent Organizations: Takaoka City (Art & Craft City Takaoka Promotion Committee) / Takaoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Takaoka City Design and Craft Center / Faculty of Art and Culture, University of Toyama / Takaoka Traditional Industry Youth Association ▶︎During the event period, bicycles are available for rent at 6 rental cycle stations in the city. ■ The 15th year of 'Ichibamachi' and changes in Takaoka City *From 2012 to 2025 15 years of achievements of 'Ichibamachi,' a craft festival based in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture. 【Relocation and establishment of young artisans】 The number of artists who moved from outside the prefecture, inspired by Takaoka's passion through Ichibamachi, has increased year by year. Vacant earthen-walled townhouses are being successively revitalized as workshops and galleries. 【From 'buying' to 'co-creation'】 From a format centered on 'exhibition and sales' at its first event, it now also functions as a 'business matching venue' where artisans and creators engage in direct dialogue, leading to the birth of new products, including factory tours for businesses. 【Platforming the production area】 It adopts a volunteer executive committee format composed of local residents, and by being operated primarily by private sectors and young people rather than administrative leadership, it embodies a unique mechanism deeply integrated with the city. In addition, it contributes to urban development from a long-term perspective, including long-standing collaborations with the University of Toyama. ■ Comment from the Organizer: Kotaro Kunimoto, Executive Committee Chairman Kotaro Kunimoto, Executive Committee Chairman First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has always understood and cooperated with Ichibamachi. 'An event that can only be done in this town!' Ichibamachi is based on the theme of 'monozukuri' (craftsmanship) and is held with the town and manufacturing sites as its stage. It is an event that showcases Takaoka's charm: goods, people, townscapes, culture, climate, and food. With the desire to create new connections and value from there, and to make it an attractive town 365 days a year, all members of the executive committee are moving forward with this year's planning. Please look forward to what Ichibamachi will be like in its 15th anniversary year! We look forward to seeing you in Takaoka in the autumn of 2026.