Handa City’s Open Factory to inspire next generation of craftspeople

The Handa Open Factory Executive Committee announced it will hold its third annual “Handa Open Factory” event on October 17 and 18. It offers the public a unique opportunity to visit and experience the workplaces of 43 diverse craftspeople and businesses in Handa City, Aichi Prefecture, aiming to strengthen community ties and foster interest in local industry.

Located on the Chita Peninsula, Handa has a rich history as a port city that prospered from brewing and shipping since the Edo period. Today, it is home to a wide range of industries, including steel, automotive and aerospace manufacturing, alongside agriculture and a biomass power plant.

The two-day event allows visitors of all ages to participate in factory tours and hands-on workshops. Now in its third year, the initiative has grown to include 43 local businesses. The 2024 event drew approximately 3,000 visitors and received strong community support. Previous events have been met with positive public feedback, with attendees stating they “had been waiting for” such an opportunity and that it was something they “wanted to show” their children.

The event was founded by Mikio Takekura, chairman of the executive committee and a representative of Handa Chuo Printing Co., Ltd. His inspiration came from visiting another Open Factory event, he was struck by watching a craftsman proudly explain his work to engaged visitors. He realised that showing a workplace as it is, and allowing people to communicate directly with those who work there, was one solution to conveying value of the shokunin.

This experience led to the creation of the Handa Open Factory in 2023. The goal is to convey the value of the craftsmanship and to show the children who will carry the future what adults look like when they work.

The committee hopes the event creates a positive cycle, creating a awareness tool for young people to learn about the craftsman iondustry, but also help to build local pride and foster a more resilient regional economy.