Northern Japan has always been known for its lush coniferous forests. So it’s no wonder that the locals started making all kinds of everyday items from what is known as “Akita Sugi”, or Akita cedar. The earliest finds date back to the 10th century

The earliest finds date back to the 10th century

The soft but durable wood has a long-lasting, characteristic cedar scent and stands out with its light color and straight grain. Since ancient Japan in the Edo period, the process of making bento boxes has been passed down from generation to generation and only a small number of cedars are actually suitable for production, as pieces with knots and knots cannot be bent.

At the workshop, you will make your own bento box under the guidance of the craftsmen on site. You will also bend the cedar wood into the required shape. The various parts of the box are sawn to size, joined together, glued and sanded. This guarantees success, and you can take your handmade bento home with you at the end of the workshop.

Incidentally, cooked rice stays fresh for a particularly long time in the wooden box, as the wood naturally balances out the moisture content.

bark of the cherry tree […], providing both stability and the unmistakable design of each bento box.

Probably the most amazing detail of every Magewappa (the name of the craftsmanship) is the small black strip on the side of the box: a special part of the bark of the cherry tree is interwoven with the bent cedar wood, providing both stability and the unmistakable design of each bento box.