Onoko Honpo -

Eschewing nails and screws, these boxes are assembled using kumiko (wooden joinery). Made from solid kiri (paulownia) wood, they are naturally resistant to humidity and pests. Customers often use them to store kimonos, tea ceremony utensils, or even as designer jewelry boxes.

According to legend, Kobō Daishi was meditating in the mountains when he received a divine vision, instructing him to establish a sacred site for spiritual practice. The temple complex was subsequently built on the site, with the aim of preserving and transmitting the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism. onoko honpo

In the bustling, narrow streets of Ise City, Mie Prefecture, competition among confectioners is fierce. With over 3,000 visitors flocking to the Ise Jingu shrines daily, the area is a battleground for traditional sweets makers vying to offer the perfect souvenir. Amidst this sea of confectionery, one shop stands out not for flashy modernism, but for its unwavering dedication to a single, historic delicacy: . Eschewing nails and screws, these boxes are assembled