Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center 別府市竹細工伝統産業会館

Beppu Bamboo Crafts Center houses exhibits of woven bamboo works, important handicrafts that have been in existence for hundreds of years.

Get to the Beppu Bamboo Crafts Center by train then by bus.

Beppu Station can be reached by limited express train from Hakata, Oita, Miyazaki, Hitoyoshi and other neighboring areas.

From Beppu Station's east exit, take bus no. 22 and get off at Takezaiku Densankaikan Mae. The center is a one-minute walk from the station. Alternatively, take buses No. 2, 5, 7 or 41 from the west exit of Beppu Station and get off at the Hikarinosono Mae bus stop. The Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Craft Industry Centre is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.

Beppu's bamboo crafts date back to the 1st century. The 12th Emperor's chef found that the area's slender bamboo stalks were ideal for basket weaving, and the industry grew and developed rapidly thereafter. As Beppu Onsen became famous throughout Japan during the Edo period, visitors found the baskets and other bamboo products used during their stay were so durable and easy to use that they began to take them home as souvenirs.

In 1979, the bamboo crafts of Beppu were designated by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry as one of the country's Traditional Arts and Crafts.