Takaoka

Takaoka has been the heart of Japan’s metal-casting industry for over 400 years. In the historic Kanayamachi District you’ll stroll down stone-paved streets lined with traditional workshops and merchant houses, all rooted in the era when the lord of the Kaga domain invited master casters to settle here. The city still produces over 90% of Japan’s copperware, from Buddhist temple bells to home décor. Visit the Takaoka Casting Museum, try your hand at creating your own piece of metalcraft with molten metal at NOUSAKU, and browse boutiques and galleries housed in beautifully preserved historic buildings. Takaoka blends industrial heritage and elegant design in a way that stays uniquely Japanese—and far from the usual tourist trails.