Have you ever felt that a single handmade piece could carry the soul of an entire city?
This November, that feeling will come alive in Taipei.
POPUPASIA® 2025
POPUPASIA® 2025, the largest handmade design exhibition in Asia, will be held from November 13 to 16 at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (Warehouse 4).
This year, LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN will join the fair with four connected booths, bringing the spirit of craft tourism and Japan’s finest artisans directly to Taiwan.
Discover “The Everyday Life of Artisans”
Jointly operated by TRUNK DESIGN and mitemo, LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN has long promoted the concept of “craft tourism” — guiding travelers to visit studios across Japan, meet local artisans, and experience the deep connection between land and craftsmanship.
At POP UP ASIA, the team will present a four-booth showcase (Booth No: 418, 419, 436, 437) featuring works that embody Japan’s artisanal spirit: pottery, lacquerware, washi paper, woodworking, cutlery, and incense.
Visitors can also enjoy live demonstrations and interactive workshops to feel the essence of discovering craftsmanship through travel.
LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN —
A Platform Linking Japanese Craft and Everyday Living
LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN is co-run by two organizations devoted to revitalizing traditional craft:
- TRUNK DESIGN (Hyogo / Kobe) – a creative studio specializing in regional branding and exhibition design.
- mitemo – a company that supports local industries through product development and distribution.
At its heart is the idea of connecting people, culture, and place through craft journeys.
Wood, clay, paper, and metal — these materials carry not only technique, but also the warmth of nature, the rhythm of the land, and the lives of the people who shape them.
“Where there is craft, there is a mysterious kind of strength.”
Driven by this belief, LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN travels throughout Japan to create encounters between makers and travelers, local communities and the wider world. Since 2020, the project has held exhibitions and online events across Japan and shared the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship in cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, and Taipei.
Building a Supportive Japan–Taiwan Partnership
For LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN, Taiwan is one of Japan’s most special partners in craftsmanship.
In Taiwan, the “warmth of the hand” and the “story behind the making” are already a natural part of daily life. Taiwanese audiences, known for their keen sense of aesthetics and design, deeply appreciate the Japanese balance between beauty and functionality.
Having collaborated with Taiwanese galleries, select shops, and craft events in the past, LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN’s participation in POP UP ASIA is not merely an exhibition — it is a practice of connection, aiming to build a future of mutual cultural support between Japan and Taiwan.
Meet the Crafts Like You’re Traveling——
Regional Japanese Crafts × Artisan Exchange Events
The exhibition, themed “Encountering Craft on the Road,” will immerse visitors in the scenery of Japan’s production regions through visuals, sounds, and spatial design. Several artisans will also be present, offering a rare chance for visitors to meet the makers face-to-face and experience the human stories behind each craft.
Participating Brands:
- TRUNK DESIGN (Hyogo / Kobe): Awaji Island incense, Tamba pottery, Banshu-ori textiles, towels
- Shoyo Kiln (Hyogo / Tamba-Sasayama): Tamba ware tableware and vases
- Yoshino Forestry (Nara / Yoshino): Tableware made of Yoshino cedar and cypress
- Sanju Cutlery / Tanaka Ichiyuki Cutlery Works (Hyogo / Miki): Banshu-Miki forged kitchen knives
- Shimizu Paperworks (Fukui / Echizen): Echizen washi placemats, origami, paper art objects
- Inoue Tokumoku Woodworks (Fukui / Sabae): Echizen lacquerware and incense stands
Special Events｜
Workshops and Japan–Taiwan Artisan Exchange
LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN aims to create not just a marketplace, but a place of learning and discovery.
Each activity reveals the philosophy and cultural background behind every handmade piece.
Hands-on Experiences Include:
- Tamba pottery wheel workshop
- Kintsugi jewelry making
- Knife-testing experience with Banshu-Miki forged knives (cutting vegetables or bread)
- Lacquerware incense stand making
- Washi paper candle dyeing
- Yoshino Forestry “Tree-Cutting VR Experience” – feel the moment when wood is felled
- Artisan Bar | Japan–Taiwan Night – informal talks and drinks with artisans from both countries
✧˖° Toward the Future of Japan–Taiwan Craft
For years, LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN has woven together exhibitions and journeys that connect people through craftsmanship.
Since last year, it has also begun developing the LOCAL CRAFT TAIWAN initiative — exploring Taiwan’s regional craft traditions, histories, and techniques, while promoting deeper cross-border collaboration.
Through encounters between travelers and artisans, the project hopes to let people experience the richness of time and life — and to help local industries carry the vitality of craft into the future.
This ongoing “journey that connects skills and stories of the land” continues to move forward.
See Them All – Only at POPUPASIA® 2025
📅 Date: November 13–16, 2025
📍 Location: Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Taipei, Taiwan
Meet these eco-friendly brands face-to-face, explore their collections, and hear their stories—only at POPUPASIA® 2025.
🎟 Early Bird Tickets – Limited Time, Limited Slots!
1 person: NT$280 → NT$250
2 people: NT$560 → NT$350
🎫 Get your Early Bird ticket now ➜
Hurry — these prices are available for a limited time only!
Secure your spot today and be part of the cutest, most creative event of the year.
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