Gems and Jewelry from Kofu, Yamanashi | The Secret of Their Sparkle Connecting History to the Future

Why not trace the history of Kofu, Yamanashi, and find out why it is known as the “City of Gemstones.” We will unravel the long history of gemstones and jewelry in Yamanashi, which began as a crystal production area, and explain how the world-renowned polishing techniques and skilled craftsmanship have been passed down. We will introduce places in Kofu where you can experience this history, as well as the appeal of gemstones and jewelry that will continue into the future. Come and experience the charm of this “City of Gemstones” that will continue from the past to the future.

The proud history of gems and jewelry in Kofu, Yamanashi

The reason why Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, became known nationwide as a “city of gems” is closely related to the history of crystal mining in this area. Let’s trace the history of how the culture of gems and jewelry flourished in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture.

The jewelry culture of Kofu, Yamanashi, which began as a crystal production area

The jewelry culture of Kofu, Yamanashi, is said to date back to the Jomon period. The Jomon people’s use of quartz crystal for arrowheads is said to be the beginning of quartz processing in the prefecture. The area around Mt. Kinpu, deep in Mitake Shosenkyo, was once rich in clear, high-quality quartz crystal, and its beauty has captivated people since ancient times.
During the Edo period, Kyoto jewel craftsman Tamaya Yasuke traveled to Koshu and taught quartz polishing techniques to the priests of Kinzakura Shrine in Shosenkyo. This technique eventually spread to the general public and became the foundation of the jewelry industry in Kofu, Yamanashi. Tamaya Yasuke is still remembered today as the “founder of quartz crystal processing in Yamanashi.”

Development of polishing technology and its application to precious metal processing

The advanced polishing techniques honed through quartz processing have evolved over the years and have been used to process practical items such as eyeglass lenses and seal materials. During the Edo period, mining was restricted to feudal lords and the shogunate, but in the Meiji period, it was opened to the general public, and Koshu quartz mining in Kofu became more active. The quartz industry developed significantly thanks to the inherited craftsmanship and quartz carving techniques, as well as technological innovations such as the development of polishing machines.
Eventually, the amount of quartz produced in Koshu decreased, but the import of Brazilian quartz began in the Taisho period, and the industry continued. The eye for stones and precise polishing techniques cultivated through quartz processing were also applied to diamonds and colored stones, and together with the development of casting and engraving techniques, Yamanashi grew into a comprehensive jewelry production center.

A journey into the history of jewelry in Kofu, Yamanashi

Here we will introduce you to spots in Kofu, Yamanashi where you can experience the history and culture of gemstones.Enjoy a journey into the world of gemstones and jewelry by visiting shops where you can actually touch and enjoy gemstones and jewelry, facilities where you can experience making your own, places that still pass on polishing techniques and artisan skills, and facilities where you can learn about the appeal of gemstones.

Little Edo Kofu Hanakoji

Located close to the south exit of Kofu Station, “Koedo Kofu Hanakoji” is an area that recreates the castle town of the time when it was called “Little Edo.” The stone-paved streets are lined with buildings that evoke the atmosphere of the past, making you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time. In one corner, there is also a showroom for “Jewelry☆GSTV,” a channel specializing in jewelry, where you can actually see and touch the products!

GSTV Kofu Hanakoji Showroom

The elegant design collection, which is full of elegance and luxury, is a must-see, including a luxurious piece that depicts the kingfisher, Kofu City’s bird, made of jade. The store is filled with jewelry made with a variety of gemstones, making it a great place to stop by while strolling around. The “Natural Gem Gacha” where you can win natural gemstones is also popular, making it the perfect memento of your trip to Yamanashi. In addition to consulting about jewelry repairs, they also handle remodeling and custom orders, and offer a free, careful cleaning service for your existing jewelry.

Photo source: Koedo Kofu Hanakoji
website: GSTV Kofu Hanakoji Showroom

Koshu Yumekoji

Located just outside the north exit of Kofu Station, Koshu Yumekoji is a stone-paved alley lined with traditional storehouse buildings that evoke the history of Kofu. Further down the alley is Tamaya, a shop that sells a variety of natural stone accessories, including the crystal that gave birth to the jewelry industry in Kofu, Yamanashi. The store’s name comes from Tamaya Yasuke, the founder of crystal processing in Yamanashi, and you can really feel the history of crystal here!

Tamaya

Tamaya, located in Kofu, the “City of Jewelry,” offers a wide selection of natural stone accessories, including quartz crystals. They also offer a free service that allows you to find the perfect stone for you based on your date of birth, making it a great choice for those who are unsure which stone to choose. In addition to bracelets and necklaces, they also offer a wide selection of original accessories like glass beads and cat-shaped beads, as well as miscellaneous goods like glass pens and sun catchers. They also stock raw stones, quartz clusters, and amethysts collected from around the world, making them popular travel mementos and gifts for children.

Photo source: Koshu Yumekoji
website: Tamaya Koshu Yumekoji

A small storehouse art museum

The “Small Storehouse Museum” attached to Tamaya, in the Antique Jewelry Collection Room, displays masterpieces of antique jewelry. Visitors can leisurely enjoy the beautiful and elegant world of jewelry that adorned European ladies. The exhibition also introduces various forms of love through 18th and 19th century jewelry, such as tiaras meant to wish a bride happiness and rings bearing sentiments for a deceased loved one. Antique jewelry, which strongly reflects the historical background, ideas, and fashion culture of the time, has an appeal that goes beyond mere ornamentation, and still radiates with brilliance even after more than 100 years. Among these, the Mikimoto tiara is a masterpiece that symbolizes the exhibition room, exuding the delicate aesthetic sense and advanced craftsmanship unique to Japan.

Museum admission fee:
500 yen (cash only, same for 1st and 2nd floors)
*Free for elementary school students and younger / Discounts available for people with disabilities

Website: Small Storehouse Museum

You can also enjoy gourmet food unique to Yamanashi at “Koedo Kofu Hanakoji” and “Koshu Yumekoji.” Take a break at a restaurant or cafe, and take a leisurely stroll through the historic streets where jewelry culture lives on, searching for your favorite items and souvenirs.

Crystal Museum

Photo credit: Crystal Museum

The Crystal Museum has a retro yet modern atmosphere and sells natural stone accessories, glass tableware, miscellaneous goods, glass miniatures, and more.

Tamaya Accessory Shop (free admission)

Photo credit: Crystal Museum

The store is like a treasure chest, filled with natural stone accessories and glassware. With a wide range of items for women, men, and children, the whole family can have fun. If you’re not sure what to buy, try a free fortune telling to discover your destined power stone.
There’s also a crafting corner where you can combine various parts to create your own original accessories, so you can have fun.

What’s more, you can also try breaking a crystal geode (1,980 yen/tax included), a unique experience only available in Kofu, the “city of gems”! No prior reservations are required! You won’t know what’s inside until you break it, making it a fun and exciting experience!

Photo credit: Crystal Museum

Stone and Glass Museum

Photo credit: Crystal Museum

The adjacent Stone and Glass Museum displays sparkling gemstones and art pieces made from stone. Entered by a mysterious agate tunnel reminiscent of space, the museum displays sparkling gemstones on the first floor, and works by Yamanashi sculptors, as well as crystal glass from Swarovski and Lalique, on the second floor. Enjoy the beauty of stones that transform from raw stones into art, making this a recommended spot for creating memorable travel memories.

[Museum admission fee]
Adults: 500 yen (high school students and above),
Children: 300 yen (elementary and junior high school students)
, Group discounts available (for groups of 20 or more).
*Admission to the Tamaya accessory shop is free.

Yamanashi Jewelry Museum

At the Yamanashi Jewelry Museum, you can learn about the history of jewelry processing as a local industry and the appeal of Yamanashi jewelry through exhibits of the outstanding techniques and beautiful jewelry that live on in the area, while carefully preserving the culture that has been passed down through the generations.

The main highlights of the Yamanashi Jewelry Museum are summarized below.

Highlights	content
Historical Exhibition	We will introduce the chronological history of Yamanashi’s jewelry industry from the Edo period to the present day.
Technology introduction	We will explain the world’s top-class gem polishing techniques and exquisite craftsmanship in precious metal processing.
Works Showcase	You can appreciate traditional Koshu crystal and precious stone craftsmanship as well as innovative jewelry pieces by contemporary designers.
Experience Corner	You can also try your hand at jewelry making and polishing, giving you a firsthand experience of Yamanashi techniques.

Reference/Source: Yamanashi Jewelry Museum

The Present and Future of Yamanashi’s Jewelry Industry

Combining traditional techniques that have been passed down over the years with an innovative spirit that continues to incorporate new ideas, Yamanashi Jewelry continues to evolve into the future.

Brand power as a jewelry production center in Kofu

Kofu, Yamanashi, has developed as a hub for Japan’s leading jewelry industry, and has earned high praise both domestically and internationally for the outstanding techniques it has cultivated over its long history. Even today, much of the jewelry sold in Japan is planned and crafted in Yamanashi, and its reliable quality and reliability are widely supported. Yamanashi jewelry, each piece carefully crafted by skilled artisans, is beloved by many as a work of art.

Additionally, efforts are underway across the region to enhance the value of the “Kofu” production brand. The “Koo-fu” brand, promoted by Yamanashi Prefecture, is a title given to jewelry that has passed rigorous screening and exhibits excellent technical skill and design, and serves as proof of safety and reliability, promoting the appeal of Yamanashi both domestically and internationally.

Furthermore, every spring, the Kofu Gem Market is held, a festival of gems and minerals where gems, raw stones, and accessories are gathered together. Through exhibitions, sales, and hands-on activities, you can experience Kofu’s gem culture and techniques, and it is a popular event that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from beginners to enthusiasts.

summary

The history of gemstones and jewelry in Yamanashi began when the region once flourished as a producer of crystal. The polishing and precious metal processing techniques that were developed in this region were honed through the passion and hard work of our predecessors, and have since developed into the jewelry culture that is unique to Yamanashi today.

A visit to Yamanashi allows you to experience firsthand the craftsmanship that has been passed down over the years and the stories that are embedded in the gemstones. Each piece of jewelry is imbued with world-class polishing techniques and skilled handiwork.

The jewelry industry in Kofu, Yamanashi, continues to evolve while cherishing tradition. Take some time during your trip to experience the history and brilliance of gemstones and jewelry.