Niigata prefecture is synonymous with delicious rice and sake, but do you know that it is also home to exquisitely crafted products made by talented craftsmen in the towns of Tsubame and Sanjo? At Sanjo City, you can visit the Tsubame-Sanjo Regional Industries Promotion Center where you can find all these products under one roof. House-proud travellers may want to buy a paper knife while aspiring chefs will relish the idea of adding a few knives, artisanal chopsticks and even kettles to their collection! The kettles here are made via the technique of Tsuiki copperware manufacturing - and require the use of dozens of iron shaping rods and hammers to produce. The chopsticks, on the other hand, are crafted by utilizing various top-grade materials such as ebony, rose wood and even silver. With such care and dedication invested into the manufacturing process, it is no wonder that this promotion center attracts hordes of customers from both Japan and overseas!