Japanese people have traditionally nurtured deep passion and respect for KOGEI (handicrafts). Countless traditional crafts that are unbelievably intricate and uniquely creative exist around Japan. However, it is undeniable that less younger generations hold interest in this traditional value. There is a need now to raise the interest of young people about traditional crafts and to pass it on to the next generation.

“CRAFT TRAIN” was a collaboration of representative Japanese traditional crafts - the Hakone wooden mosaic, Kyoto bamboo craft, Edo Kiriko, Lacquer art - and the national Japanese toy Plarail. Taking a year and a half for production, it was launched at the Tokyo Toy Show on June 1, 2017 then Plarail Exhibition in Osaka on January 1st, 2018. Since then CRAFT TRAIN has been exhibited at toy events held in major cities around Japan. Was also exhibited on the Genbi Shinkansen (Modern Art Bullet Train) which created buzz as the “running art museum”. It has been exhibited at the Mibumachi Toy Museum in Tochigi Prefecture from July 21st until September 2nd 2018.