Tabe Family's Tatara Ironmaking Experience

Event Overview

"Tabe Family's Tatara" is a rare, immersive experience that preserves the traditional "Tatara ironmaking" technique dating back to the Muromachi period. In the Okuizumo area of Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, participants join in the intense, life-or-death ritual of maintaining the furnace using natural resources like iron sand, charcoal, and high-quality clay. You will learn the process of producing "Wako steel"—the high-quality steel that once supported 80% of Japan's iron demand—through both modern techniques and ancient spirits.

Highlights & What to Expect

The greatest draw is the opportunity to experience the entire Tatara process from start to finish. You will witness the ritual of lighting the fire, the addition of iron sand and charcoal, and the intense heat of the operation up close. The program also includes exclusive tours of the Tabe Estate and the Sugatani Tatara site (a registered Tangible Folk Cultural Property), which are usually closed to the public. The most moving moment is the final step: receiving your very own piece of rare "Wako steel (Kera)" born from the iron sand you helped process.

Schedule

This is a 2-day, 25-hour program. Please note the specific dates below:

• September 26 (Sat) 13:30 – September 27 (Sun) 14:30
• October 31 (Sat) 13:30 – November 1 (Sun) 14:30
• *Day 1**
• 13:00 Meet at Unnan City Wagako Tatara Experience Center Parking Lot
• 13:30 Fire-lighting ritual (Hi-ire Shinji)
• 14:00 Start of operation
• 14:30 Tour of the Tabe Estate, Iron History Museum, and Sugatani Tatara site
• 18:00 Break & Dinner
• 20:00 Tatara operation experience (Adding iron sand/charcoal, removing slag, etc.)
• *Day 2**
• Late-night/Early morning snack & breakfast (during the process)
• 12:00 Lunch
• 13:30 Kera (Iron ingot) extraction
• 14:30 Program ends

Venue & Access

The event is held at the Unnan City Wagako Tatara Experience Center in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture.

Important Information

This is an authentic, high-level cultural experience. Participants will receive a small piece of the produced Wako steel (Kera) as a souvenir at a later date. An optional custom service is also available to create products using your produced steel (additional fees apply).

What to Bring, Clothing & Etiquette

• *Clothing**: Work clothes for the operation will be provided by the facility, but please bring a change of clothes for yourself.
• *Footwear**: For your safety, please bring sturdy footwear with thick soles (safety shoes are highly recommended).
• *Reservations**: Capacity is limited to 30 people per session. Advance much-needed reservation is required. Please check the deadline.
• *Other**: For more details, please contact the facility directly.