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BUNACO – Experience the Art of Beechwood Craftsmanship & Versatile Designs!

Souvenirs

Publication on：March 6, 2025

Located in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, BUNACO Co., Ltd. is a brand that crafts elegant products using locally sourced beechwood.
Recognized as a traditional Aomori craft, BUNACO products are highly sought after as souvenirs and gifts.

In addition to offering beautiful handcrafted items, BUNACO operates a factory in Nishimeya Village, where visitors can participate in hands-on crafting experiences.

This article will provide an exclusive look at BUNACO's unique products, history, and lesser-known details that you won’t find online!

What is BUNACO?

BUNACO is a distinctive beechwood craft, created by slicing beech logs into thin sheets and coiling them into shape.

The brand offers a wide variety of products, including:
✔ Lamps
✔ Tableware
✔ Chairs
✔ Speakers

With aesthetic curves and a smooth wooden texture, BUNACO's sophisticated designs complement both Japanese and Western interiors.

Once you see their collection, you'll want to decorate your entire home with BUNACO pieces!

Top 3 Must-Have BUNACO Products

① Elegant Tissue Box – “Tissue Box SWING slim” (¥9,900)

This redesigned tissue box is adapted to fit the slimmer tissue sizes commonly available today.
With a warm wooden texture and gracefully curved edges, it adds a touch of refinement to any space.

  • Available in four stylish colors
  • Perfect for both modern and classic interiors

② A Deliciously Fun Design – “The Inedible Baumkuchen” Tissue Box (¥8,800)

This unique tissue box looks just like a Baumkuchen cake!

It was inspired by the coiled layers of beechwood used in BUNACO’s crafting process, which resemble tree rings—just like a Baumkuchen.

✔ Perfect for half-size tissues (10.5cm × 10.5cm × 5.5cm)
✔ Comes in elegant cake-like packaging—great for gifts!

Looking for a fun yet functional Hirosaki souvenir? This is a fantastic choice!

③ A Chair That Makes Seiza More Comfortable! (¥17,600)

Do you find seiza (traditional Japanese sitting posture) painful?
This ergonomic seiza chair reduces pressure on your legs, allowing you to sit comfortably for longer periods.

✔ Great for tea ceremonies, meditation, or traditional Japanese rooms
✔ Available in six colors to match your home décor

See, Touch, and Create – The BUNACO Factory Experience

Besides selling beautiful wooden crafts, BUNACO offers visitors the chance to explore its factory and even create their own pieces!

Here’s what you can do at the Nishimeya Factory:

👀 Factory Tour – Discover the Craftsmanship

  • 🛠 Watch skilled artisans work on “coiling” and “shaping” beechwood before products are completed.
  • 🎶 Listen to the deep sound quality of BUNACO speakers in a special showroom.
  • 💰 Free of charge—a must-visit for anyone interested in traditional craftsmanship!

🎨 Hands-On Crafting Experiences

At BUNACO Nishimeya Factory, visitors can try their hand at the shaping process called “kata-age”, where flat beech sheets are transformed into beautiful three-dimensional shapes.

Choose from two experience options:

1️⃣ Standard Crafting Experience (¥9,900)

✔ Create a 24cm wooden bowl
✔ Professionally finished by artisans and delivered to you later

2️⃣ Mini Crafting Experience (¥3,300)

✔ Shape a 15cm bowl using beechwood sheets
✔ Take your unfinished piece home and complete it yourself

👨‍🏭 Tips from BUNACO Experts:

"Listen carefully to the artisans’ advice and observe their hand movements. It may look easy, but shaping wood takes skill! If you follow instructions and practice, you'll create something beautiful and truly unique."

Why not try this unforgettable hands-on experience at the Nishimeya Factory?

Why is BUNACO’s Factory Located in Nishimeya Village?

Although BUNACO's headquarters is in Hirosaki, its Nishimeya Factory is slightly further away.

We asked the BUNACO team why they chose this location.

BUNACO Representative:
*"We established our second factory in Nishimeya Village for several reasons, but the biggest was the need for a larger space to produce oversized lighting fixtures.

BUNACO started in 1963, focusing primarily on tableware and small wooden products.
However, in 2003, we expanded into lamp design, and in recent years, we’ve been producing 1-meter-wide lighting pieces.

Our original Hirosaki factory became too small, and just when we were looking for a new space, the mayor of Nishimeya Village suggested using an abandoned school building.

We also hired local residents as craftsmen and staff, and in 2017, we officially opened the Nishimeya Factory."*

Since then, visitors have enjoyed not just BUNACO crafting, but also Nishimeya’s beautiful natural surroundings.

Why not experience both craftsmanship and nature in one trip?

Sustainable Craftsmanship – The Future of BUNACO

We also asked the BUNACO team about their vision for the future.

BUNACO Representative:
*"Our journey began with the goal of utilizing Japan’s largest beechwood forest efficiently.

Today, we continue developing modern and versatile designs while ensuring our products remain accessible to both domestic and international customers.

We aim to create products that people from all over the world will love and want to use!"*

BUNACO continues to evolve and innovate, making it a brand to watch in the world of sustainable craftsmanship!

Visit BUNACO – Showrooms & Factory Information

📍 BUNACO Co., Ltd. Headquarters

📍 BUNACO Nishimeya Factory

  • Address: 196 Inamoto, Tashiro, Nishimeya Village, Aomori (28 min by car from Hirosaki Station)
  • Phone: 0172-88-6730
  • Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Last entry 3:00 PM)
  • 🔗 Factory Website: BUNACO Factory
  • 📷 Instagram: @bunaco_nishimeya

📍 BUNACO Showroom BLESS (Product Exhibition & Sales)

  • Address: 100-1 Dote-machi, Hirosaki, Aomori (Moriya Building, 2F)
  • Phone: 0172-39-2040
  • Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • 🔗 Showroom Website: BLESS Showroom

Conclusion

From innovative craftsmanship to eco-friendly production, BUNACO offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

If you're visiting Hirosaki, don't miss the chance to see, touch, and experience the art of BUNACO!