What tools and daily goods surround your everyday life? There is certainly joy in skillfully incorporating mass-produced, affordable products into daily life. However, there is also a distinct pleasure in carefully maintaining and continuing to use high-quality tools and daily goods.

 

Long-lasting tools and daily essentials reveal their craftsmanship the moment you hold them, setting them apart from disposable items. They also bring a sense of individuality and a touch of the extraordinary to everyday life.

 

In other words, carefully choosing the right tools has the power to break the monotony of daily routines.

 

Hiroyuki Akashi, the director of Hokuroku’s e-commerce site, Hokuriku Mokuroku, and a professional in spatial and interior design, shares his perspective:

 

“High-quality items enhance the experience of using them and bring harmony to the space they occupy. They can instill a sense of discipline and subtly guide the user’s movements, like a silent mentor.”

 

Choosing durable, well-crafted tools can also positively impact environmental issues. It’s just a tool—yet, at the same time, so much more than just a tool.

 

Hokuriku, after all, is one of Japan’s most vibrant regions for traditional crafts and folk art, home to skilled artisans and craftsmen. If you want to experience tools and daily goods infused with the spirit of their makers, opportunities abound.

 

To uncover some of Hokuriku’s finest tools and daily goods, we asked a diverse group of experts from the three Hokuriku prefectures: “What are your favorite tools?”

 

The people we approached are all discerning connoisseurs—true mekiki (expert judges of quality). As expected, a treasure trove of little-known yet remarkable items emerged.

 

Drawing inspiration from their cherished possessions, why not embark on your journey to discover long-lasting, Made in Hokuriku tools?

 

And if you’re looking for a special gift for a loved one, this guide may offer just the right inspiration.

 

Masayoshi Sakamoto, Editor-in-Chief

 

 

Related: A Taste of Summer in Hokuriku – Local Experts Share Their Favorite Seasonal Sweets [Part 1]