Discovering Bamboo Craft in Beppu🎋

During my visit to Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Centre, I joined a bamboo bell workshop. Despite the language barrier, the staff were incredibly kind and patient — craft really does have its own universal language.

After the workshop, we spent some time exploring the centre. There were beautifully made bamboo baskets, each with its own structure, rhythm, and pattern. We also came across a space where local makers can work together quietly and attentively.

Soft lighting made from bamboo and paper created a warm and calming environment. Around the space, there were displays showing different weaving patterns made with bamboo strips — simple materials, but endless possibilities. One piece in particular stood out — a large-scale bamboo artwork combining different patterns and varying strip thicknesses. The level of detail and control was incredibly impressive.

Before leaving, we walked into the garden and saw bamboo plants up close — my first time seeing them in real life. While we were looking, an elderly Japanese lady approached us and said we were the first people she had seen who stopped to really observe the bamboo. We wished we could talk more, but unfortunately she only spoke Japanese. Still, it was a small but meaningful moment — a shared appreciation, even without words.

Experiences like this remind me why I love making — understanding materials, learning from traditions, and seeing how craft connects people across cultures.

📍8-chome-2-13 Higashisoen, Beppu, Oita 874-0836, Japan