The hidden depths of Tatsuno, Hyogo Prefecture - The breath of artisans: The story of Tatsuno woven by four unknown traditions

Tatsuno, the Mecca of Leather: World-renowned Craftsmanship and Culture

Tatsuno City is known as one of Japan's leading leather production areas. It is a major leather production area that is world-renowned for its leather production volume, quality, and craftsmanship, and 70% of Japan's tanners are concentrated here.

There were several environmental factors that led to the thriving leather industry in Tatsuno.
Historically, Western Japan was home to many cattle, making it easy to obtain cowhide as a raw material. This was an essential factor in the development of the leather industry. The Seto Inland Sea climate is also characterized by its warm temperature and relatively little rain, which makes it suitable for the process of drying leather in the sun, a major advantage in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the area's geographical location near the Seto Inland Sea made it easy to obtain the salt needed to preserve and process the hides.
One of the most important factors is the presence of abundant water resources. Leather tanning requires a large amount of water. Tatsuno is a land blessed with abundant water, with rivers flowing with abundant water. The Ibo River in particular is rich in minerals, which give the leather its unique texture and durability.
The city's geographical advantages, such as its proximity to political, economic and consumer centers of Osaka and Kyoto, are also thought to have boosted industrial development.
The leather industry in this region has a long history, dating back more than 400 years since the mid-Edo period, when the leather industry developed significantly. Supported by its long history and tradition, it continues to promote leather culture as one of Japan's leading leather production areas, with more than 200 tanneries.

Maruta Sangyo is one of the tanneries in Tatsuno. This company specializes in processing raw hides (hides of cows slaughtered for meat), and is a rare company that also sells leather.
High-quality leather is produced through careful work, such as salting to prevent decay, followed by washing in a drum and cleaning to remove excess fat and hair. The animal skin is finally transformed into "leather" after being transformed into various materials through chrome tanning and tannin tanning. Every step is done by hand, with great care taken to achieve a meticulous finish. As they are living creatures, there are individual differences between each piece, and the craftsman's intuition and seasoning allow him to make the most of the individuality of each piece of leather, creating a one-of-a-kind piece in the world.
The facility is open to the public, allowing visitors to see the intricate process of leather manufacturing up close. Another attraction is that visitors can hear directly from the tanners about the characteristics of each type of leather and purchase leather at reasonable prices.

The leather specialty store "Kawa no Mori" is a place where you can casually drop in and purchase small leather goods as souvenirs. It is also a base for disseminating information about leather culture, and offers a wide range of experiences, allowing you to experience the joy of making your own original items, such as bracelets and wallets.

The appeal of leather is that it can be used for a long time. With proper care and repair, leather products will develop more character the more you use them, and you will grow to love them more. You can enjoy the joy of purchasing products that suit your taste while receiving expert advice on leather. There is also a wide selection of accessories that you can take with you on your travels, so you will definitely find yourself wanting more.

Tatsuno is a town where you can smell the leather and feel the breath of the craftsmen. The world of "Tatsuno Leather", where tradition and innovation are fused, is sure to captivate your heart.

Log Industry

Leather Forest

The charm of the historic landscape of Tatsuno, Tatsuno City, which has been preserved for generations

Tatsuno City in Hyogo Prefecture has a beautiful streetscape where traditional buildings built from the Edo period to the prewar Showa period remain. On the west bank of the Ibo River, a first-class river that flows through the city, the town layout remains from the time when it flourished as a castle town of the Tatsuno Domain with a stipend of 53,000 koku, and it is also known as "Little Kyoto of Harima."
On the east side across the Ibo River, you can see the brick-colored Higashimaru Soy Sauce headquarters. This was the site of the Tatsuno Domain's "Eastern Storehouse" at the time, which is said to be one of the origins of the company's name, Higashimaru.

At the foot of the mountain is Tatsuno Castle, with its restored Honmaru Palace and castle walls, and the town is lined with old wooden houses, with its winding alleys and curved roads typical of castle towns, which have escaped development and remain to this day. There are also cafes and restaurants that have been renovated from traditional townhouses, so you can enjoy sightseeing while immersing yourself in history. There is plenty to see, with the townhouses still standing in succession and traditional buildings well preserved.
The area is also home to the Usukuchi Tatsuno Museum, the Soy Sauce Village Taisho Roman Museum, and the Kura Terrace Tatsuno, all of which were introduced in the soy sauce chapter, and are recommended for sightseeing along with the townscape. Storehouse-style buildings and brewing-related facilities remain, recalling the days when soy sauce brewing was thriving, and convey the unique historical scenery of this castle town in Nishiharima to the present day.

Another distinctive feature is the mixture of Western-style buildings built in the Meiji period among traditional townhouses. The overlapping and integrating of different cultural elements gives diversity to the scenery. Just by walking through the atmospheric streets, you can discover the depth of history everywhere, making it a fascinating place.
In the early Edo period, the Ibo River waterway was opened and boat transport began. This led to a boom in distribution of goods, with shipping wholesalers and warehouses lining both banks of the river, and the area continued to thrive until the mid-Meiji period. Numerous restaurants and inns were built, forming a bustling town with geisha coming and going. It is said that there were also 13 temples within this small town. Today, the daily life of local residents coexists with tourism, making it a spot that encapsulates the culture of Tatsuno.
Immerse yourself in the historical atmosphere and let yourself go with the flow of time on this soothing walk along the river's shining surface. A tranquil and moving experience unfolds as you stroll through the scenery, interwoven with traces of the good old days and the breath of modernity.

Tatsuno City Tourism Association