Okuizumo Tatara Ironmaking Experience

The Okuizumo region in Shimane Prefecture is a sacred place for tatara ironmaking that has continued since ancient times. This traditional ironmaking method, which creates iron from iron sand and charcoal, is the only technique that can produce tamahagane steel, the raw material for Japanese swords, and is still passed down today. At the Okuizumo Tatara Kakuro Heritage Hall, experience programs are offered including observation of mini tatara operations and knife-making using tamahagane steel. Said to be the model for the tatara ironworks in "Princess Mononoke," visitors can touch upon the origins of Japan's ironmaking culture.