Nambu Ironware (南部鉄器) is Iwate Prefecture‘s most representative traditional craft. Ironware-making in Morioka started in the early 17th century. The lord of the Morioka Domain invited a tea iron kiln maker from Kyoto when he was building Morioka Castle. Since then, the ironware-making industry has prospered because of the availability of high-quality materials and the protection from the Morioka Domain.
The benefits of using Nambu ironware include that the boiled water it holds doesn’t cool down easily. And because the ironware releases irons into the liquid it holds, the water becomes softer and smoother to drink and can help prevent anemia!
As the origin of the Nambu Ironware, many shops in the city sell it, but below are the best ones to visit. The quality of their products is exceptional, and their products are highly valued across the world. One of them even allows you to visit a Nambu Ironware workshop!
The Best Spots to Visit for Nambu Ironware in Morioka
Tip: HERE is all you need to know about how to use a Nambu ironware kettle and how to take care of it.
Kamasada Casting Workshop (釜定)
If you are interested in bringing a couple of the ironware home, visit Kamasada. The long-established Nanbu ironware workshop is run by a kind lady with an artistic spirit, so her design smartly incorporates contemporary designs into ancient Japanese traditional craftsmanship.
Having lived in Finland for a few years, cast iron kettles aren’t the only utensils that Ms. Miya creates. Her casting iron pots with removable wooden handles are popular among those who value iron pots. If you love cooking, we are sure you would want to bring one home when you see the stylish multipurpose pot!
In fact, all the daily utensils Kamasada made are artwork. Even a simple bottle opener is smartly designed, and it can also be a decor for your home. This was why she was able to bring her products to the world and hold exhibitions in Western countries. As most products are handmade, the popular ones are usually sold out and have a long waiting list.
Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, as long as you enjoy visiting art galleries, you will enjoy your visit to Kamasada.
When we got there, our favorite cast iron decor was the mini version of lion dog statues at Morioka Tenmangū Shrine (盛岡天満宮). You can refer to the second photo in the Instagram post for what they look like. The human-faced lion dogs are just weirdly cute!
How to Order Your Cast Iron Pots and Pans from Kamasada
Kamasada’s cast iron pots and pans are popular. Usually, a one-year waiting time is required before the product can be delievered to you. If you don’t live in Japan, it is tricky to purchase their cast iron pots/pans if you don’t pay when you visit Kamasada. As the shop can’t take credit card payments online or over the phone, you need to transfer to Kamasada’s bank account to put an order.
Your order will then goes into a queue and the shop will contact you when your pot/pan is ready. It is possible for them to ship the final product overseas if you bare the shipping cost. So, if you don’t visit Japan regularly, the shop will ask for the shipping fee to be paid in advance.
Kamasada Casting Workshop’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kamasada Casting Workshop is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm from Monday to Saturday.
- The shop is a 3-minute walk from the bus stop, Morioka Bus Center.
Iwachu (岩鋳鉄器館)
Besides Kamasada Casting Workshop, Iwachu is another Nanbu Ironware spot in Morioka. In fact, the ironware maker established in 1902 may be a better place to visit if you are interested in seeing how the utensils are made. Iwachu is more like a theme park-style factory. Apart from the Nanbu Ironware Gallery, touring around the facility is possible.
When you hear the word ironware, a heavy pot may pop into your mind. While traditional ironware is available for purchase, the industry has evolved so that the utensils in the shop will surprise you and change your view of ironware.
The newly designed products that match modern lifestyles are colorful, which makes them popular. Nowadays, the quality of Iwachu’s product is so good that it is also sold in more than 20 countries, especially in Europe and the U.S.!
The best news is some of Iwachu’s ironware is compatible with induction cooktops. So even if you don’t have a gas stove, you can still benefit from the soft and iron-rich water cooked from the Nambu Ironware!
Like Kamasada, Iwachu also has many cast iron decor and utensils. Checking out their product range is the best thing to do waiting for the cast iron pot making demonstration!
Note: You want to see the craftsmen making the ironware, visit Iwatchu on a weekday.
What to Expect When You Get to Iwachu
At the entrance, there is a jumbo iron pot with a diameter of two meters. Using this pot, you can prepare a meal for 2,000 people at once! The most surprising fact about the pot is it isn’t just a decoration but has been used to cook taro potatoes! You will also find an ironware kettle that can boil enough water to make 2,000 cups of tea!
Other interesting cast iron decor can also be found in the resting area outside of the workshop.
The most useful item we found at the shop is an eggplant-shaped cast iron stone. It is called Nasu-iro-dashi (ナス色出し), which means eggplant-coloring. When the stone is put into the container when making the pickled eggplant, the pickle would have a better color.
The same idea applies when boiling black beans.
But, we didn’t purchase it for cooking. We got the Nasu-iro-dashi to put inside our kettle. When water is boiled with it, the cast iron stone’s iron ions are released into the water, which can be absorbed by our body. So, it is good for anemia.
Watching the craftsmen pouring the liquid iron into molds is the most exciting thing to do at Iwachu. It really was the highlight of our visit.
The iron blocks take around 30 minutes to melt. Once everything is ready, one craftsman would pour the liquid into the mold the other guy is holding. Exceed liquid iron is then poured back into the furnace.
Note this process doesn’t happen all the time. The craftsmen spend most of their day repairing the molds. So, plan your visit if you want to witness it.
Tip: Between 1 pm to 2 pm is usually when 1,500 degrees of bright red melted iron is poured into molds. Plan your visit accordingly if you are interested. As the factory’s schedule can change, it is best to enquire first using their Web Form.
Iwachu’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Iwachu is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm from Wednesday to Monday.
- It closes on the 31st of December and the 1st of January.
- From JR Morioka Station, take a bus bound for Yahaba (矢巾) and get off at Kawakubo (川久保).
Use the big supermarket as a landmark if you can’t find Iwachu. It is just behind the supermarket.
Discover the Must-Visit Attractions in Morioka
When you hear of Morioka, Wanko Soba and Morioka cold noodles are probably the two first things that come to mind. But the city isn’t just about food. It also has many cultural attractions, hot springs, nature and more!
So refer to our Morioka article for ideas about where to stop by when visiting Iwate Prefecture’s capital city!
