Traditional Craftsmanship

The Art of
UMAMI

Handcrafted Oboro Kombu Experience in Tsuruga

Experience the essence of Japanese flavor, UMAMI, in Tsuruga, where the legacy of the Kitamaebune ships lives on. Learn from a skilled artisan and create your own oboro kombu in a special hands-on experience.

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A Legacy Of FlavorThe Origin of UMAMI

Today, UMAMI is recognized around the world, and kombu is one of its most iconic ingredients.

Tsuruga City in Fukui has long flourished as a center of kombu culture.
During the Edo period, Tsuruga was a port of call for the Kitamaebune trading ships, where the finest kombu from Hokkaido was brought and processed. It was here that the craft of hand-shaved oboro kombu, shaving kombu into paper-thin layers, was refined.

Hand-shaved oboro kombu is made from carefully selected premium kombu that is thick and broad. Using a special knife, skilled artisans shave it into sheets less than 1 mm thick.
Shaved to this extreme thinness, it seems to melt the moment it touches your tongue, releasing a burst of UMAMI.

Its delicate thinness is often compared to a feathered robe. It is so fine that you can see through it, and it is said that the name oboro kombu comes from the way the moon looks softly blurred when viewed through it against the night sky.

This craft is sustained by the artisan’s touch: sensing the thickness and firmness of each sheet of kombu, reading the day’s humidity, and adjusting the blade angle with great precision.
Even after more than 300 years, this process can still only be done by hand. We invite you to experience this rare and precious craft of UMAMI for yourself.

Kombu is used in many forms beyond hand-shaved oboro kombu, with almost nothing going to waste. This reflects Japan’s mottainai spirit, valuing resources and minimizing waste. It is also an outstanding ingredient from an SDGs perspective.

The craft preserved by Tsuruga’s kombu artisans is registered as a Japanese cultural property, a mark of official national recognition. But it is more than a technique – it is part of Japan’s culinary aesthetic and culture: drawing out the full gifts of nature and savoring them with all five senses.

Experience Highlight

Explore the depth of UMAMI in three steps, guided by a skilled artisan.

Watch

Artisan Demonstration

Watch a master artisan at work right in front of you. See thick, film kombu turn into delicate, feather-like sheets before your eyes.

Craft

Hands-on Experience

Pick up a special knife and try shaving kombu yourself. This hands-on step reveals the focus and delicate touch required for this traditional craft.

Taste ＆ Take home

Savor & Keep

Taste freshly shaved hand-shaved oboro kombu and discover its rich aroma and deep UMAMI. You can also take home the kombu you shaved yourself as a souvenir.

Experience Schedule

Welcome and History Introduction: Learn the story of the “Kombu Road” and the history of Tsuruga Port.

Artisan Demonstration: Watch a skilled artisan at work and learn the basics of handling the special knife.

Hands-on Shaving Experience: Try shaving kombu yourself, with careful guidance from the artisan.

Tasting Time: Enjoy freshly shaved kombu served with warm dashi.

Plan Details

Artisan Dress-Up Course

Enjoy the experience dressed like a real artisan in a samue work outfit and tenugui headcloth. If you’d like memorable photos from your visit, this is the perfect course.