Category:Kōshin’etsu Region

Kōshin’etsu (甲信越地方) is a cultural and geographic subregion of Chūbu (中部地方), located in the inland highlands of central Honshū. The region is defined by its mountainous terrain, including the Japanese Alps, and by historical routes that linked inland castle towns to coastal trading ports and religious centers. Its climate and geography have traditionally encouraged self-sustaining local economies and strong regional identities.

Craft traditions in Kōshin’etsu are closely tied to natural resources: hardwood forests, mountain river systems, volcanic soils, and plant fibers. Many artisanal workshops developed around temple complexes, castle towns, and mountain pilgrimage routes. The region has preserved significant woodworking, metalworking, lacquer, papermaking, and textile weaving techniques, often maintained in small, community-centered workshop networks.

The cultural character of Kōshin’etsu reflects both its historical role as a transit crossroads and its relatively isolated highland environment, fostering craftsmanship that balances external influence with deep continuity of local materials and aesthetics.

Kōshin’etsu consists of three prefectures:

• Yamanashi Prefecture
• Nagano Prefecture
• Niigata Prefecture

• Strong traditions of woodworking, bamboo craft, and mountain tools.
• Historic centers of washi papermaking and lacquer production.
• Silk cultivation and textile-weaving regions developed from mountain agriculture.
• Artisanal heritage shaped by pilgrimage routes and castle-town craft guilds.

• Location: Inland highlands of central Honshū
• Landscape: Japanese Alps, river valleys, rural mountain settlements
• Major cities: Nagano, Kōfu, Niigata

• Chūbu (中部地方)
• Hokuriku (北陸地方)
• Tōkai (東海地方)