Visit Wakayama

　The Wakayama knitwear production area has a history of over 100 years, and even today, still boasts the highest domestic production of knitwear.

　In recent years, with the aim of further revitalizing the production area, the Wakayama DAIBAKUSHO project was launched in 2021 in collaboration with Begin, a company that publishes magazines and engages in other media businesses. The project’s aim is to develop sales channels for the production area, train young talent, improve manufacturing technology, and pass on traditional techniques.

　Inspired by the American brand Union Made, this project was launched for the purpose of promoting the excellence of the knitwear and knitters of Wakayama. The old name for knitwear is “meriyasu,” and the name “DAIBAKUSHO” (a pun on the Japanese for “laugh out loud”) reflects the hope of bringing smiles to both the users who wear the clothes and the knitters who make them.

　At the Expo, the project will unveil new products such as T-shirts and sweatshirts made from “Brewed Protein”, the world's first man-made structural protein material, as well as products made from recycled materials called hanmo (reclaimed wool), made by collecting clothing and cutting scraps, breaking down the fibers, and then re-spinning them into yarn. It will use this opportunity to show the world the high level of technical skill embedded in Wakayama knitwear, and to promote Wakayama as a mecca for knitwear.

HP:Wakayama DAIBAKUSHO（External Link)

　The area of Hashimoto City, Kudoyama Town, and Katsuragi Town, centered around the former Koyaguchi Town of Wakayama Prefecture (now Koyaguchi Town, Hashimoto City) is the only comprehensive pile fabric production area in Japan. It boasts a concentration of companies engaged in the production of special pile fabrics, in which wool is woven (knitted) into the base fabric of textiles such as fur, boa, moquette, velvet, and Kinkazan.

「The pile fabrics produced in this area, known as “Koyaguchi Pile,” are unique textiles with a wide variety of textures created by a system of division of labor within the production area that has been cultivated over many years with a large number of technicians, and by the use of unique weaving machines (knitting machines). The resulting luxury pile fabrics offer great satisfaction, with high levels of sensitivity, quality, and functionality that can only be achieved by “Made in Japan” products, and can be used in a wide range of products.

　These fabrics have a wide range of applications, including use by top overseas apparel brands, for bedding such as blankets, for vehicle seats on bullet trains, regular trains and sightseeing buses, for interior design such as chairs in large halls and the National Diet Building, for plush toys and daily sundries, and for industrial materials.

　Koyaguchi pile may be well known in the industry, but remains relatively unknown among the general public. Through the World Expo, the industry associations hope that many people, both in Japan and overseas, will have the opportunity to learn more about this fabric.

〇Tanabe City

Embark on a journey to experience sacred landscapes where the gods reside, and connect with Japan's ancient history.

Tanabe City is home to Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site with a rich natural environment and a deep sense of history. Tanabe was once called “Kuchikumano,” marking its significance since ancient times as a gateway (“iriguchi” in Japanese) to a sacred place where men and women, young and old, from all over Japan have made pilgrimages to seek healing, revival, and salvation.

　Tanabe City is blessed with many local resources to heal the body and soul, including Ryujin Onsen, one of the three hot springs in Japan known for their beautifying effects, Yunomine Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Japan with a history of 1,800 years, Kawayu Onsen, where you can enjoy playing in the river even in winter thanks to the source that gushes forth from the riverbed, as well as waterfalls, the Kuroshio Sea, and mysterious mountains that attract many visitors to the region.

　Other highlights of a trip to Tanabe include visiting the largest restaurant district in the Nanki region, Ajikoji, where you can enjoy a drink along with fresh ingredients harvested from the seas and the mountains.　

　In Tanabe City, experience ancient healing and revival alongside the vitality of the future.

HP：Tanabe City (external link)

HP：Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau (external link)

〇Tanabe City Regional Brand Promotion Council

The best of Kishu Tanabe

Tanabe City Regional Brand Promotion Council is an organization that aims to expand sales channels and promote sales of local products, promote exchanges with urban consumers through various promotions, raise awareness of Tanabe City and local products, and contribute to nurturing and developing local industries.

The Council will introduce the best and most unique of Tanabe City to visitors from across Japan.

HP：Tanabe City Regional Brand Promotion Council (external link)　

〇Tanabe City Umeshu Tourism Executive Committee

Make a toast with Kishu Umeshu!

The Umeshu Tourism Executive Committee is working on establishing systems aimed at promoting the appeal of umeshu (Japanese plum liquor whose key ingredient, ume, is a major industry in Tanabe City) both within and outside of Japan as a purpose of travel, and encouraging citizens and visitors to stay in the Ajikoji area where there is a concentration of restaurants, as well as as in Ogigahama and Kishu Ishigami Tanabe Bairin (an ume orchard).

“Make a toast with umeshu!" to pray for a safe journey, and “Make a toast with umeshu!" to celebrate the end of a safe journey. This is the kind of Tanabe travel that we propose.

HP：Umeshu Tourism Project Executive Committee (external link)

　The Wakayama Prefecture Food Industry Council is an organization established for the promotion and sound development of the prefecture's food industry through collaboration between its food industry and other relevant industries.

　The Council will take the opportunity of the Expo to promote Wakayama's food culture and history across Japan and the world, thereby reaffirming the appeal of Wakayama's food and passing it on to the future.

　Here is an introduction to the eight organizations that will be exhibiting at the Wakayama Prefecture Food Industry Council's booth.

〇Kishu Miso Manufacturers Cooperative

This is a group of manufacturers of Kinzanji Miso, a traditional fermented food from Wakayama Prefecture.

HP: Kishu Miso Manufacturers Cooperative (external link)

〇Wakayama Soy Sauce Breweries Cooperative Association

Hailing from the birthplace of soy sauce brewing, the Association will promote the taste culture that Japan takes pride in at the Expo.

〇Wakayama Tsukemono Cooperative Association

　Wakayama is the top producer of pickles in Japan! Its specialties are umeboshi (pickled plums) made from Nanko plums and Kinokawa dsuke, a radish pickle.

HP: Wakayama Tsukemono Cooperative Association (external link)

〇Wakayama Meat Industry Cooperative Association

　The Association is working hard to promote Kumano beef, a branded beef from Wakayama. Through the promotion of Kumano beef, it aims to convey the importance of local production for local consumption, and to serve as a bridge between producers and consumers.

〇Wakayama Confectionery Industry Cooperative

　This is a group of Japanese and Western confectionery artisans from Wakayama Prefecture, home to Kitsumoto Shrine, the birthplace of confectionery.

Come enjoy traditional and innovative Japanese and Western confectionery.

〇Wakayama Prefecture Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives

　Agricultural products from Wakayama Prefecture will be featured at the Expo.

For more information on agricultural products from the prefecture, please click here.

HP: JA wakayama (external link)

〇Wakayama Chamber of Commerce and Industry

　This is a regional comprehensive economic organization with a membership comprising 30 chambers of commerce from within the prefecture.

It promotes carefully selected products from the regions covered by the chambers of commerce.

HP: Wakayama Chamber of Commerce and Industry (external link)

〇TSUNO GROUP CO., LTD.

"We have a dream in rice bran."

TSUNO uses rice bran in highly effective ways.Rice bran-derived ingredients are also used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and chemicals.

HP: TSUNO GROUP CO., LTD. (external link)

　Using wood and growing trees - A civil engineering project that supports nature, aimed at disaster prevention and mitigation

　In recent years, natural disasters such as heavy rains and typhoons have become more frequent due to climate change associated with global warming. At the same time, improperly managed forests and abandoned manmade forests are considered to be one of the factors that heighten the risk of disasters, such as landslides in mountains, inland flooding in residential areas, and sudden increases in river levels.

　To address these issues, this project works to balance environmental conservation with disaster prevention and mitigation that utilizes natural resources.

Using wood: Wooden guardrail "Kokage"

At the Expo, the project feature "Kokage Wooden Guardrail," the first of its kind developed in the Kansai region. The octagonal beams create a beautiful landscape and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions during manufacturing, making it an environmentally friendly guardrail.

Growing trees: Taproot seedlings

This is an initiative to grow taproot seedlings that have strong roots deep underground by focusing on the power of broadleaf tree roots. These seedlings are excellent at stabilizing slopes and are highly effective in preventing landslides. Developing disaster-resilient forests not only enhances the safety of the region, but also contributes to sustainable environmental conservation.

　By using and growing trees, it is possible to restore the original functions of forests (CO2 reduction, water source conservation, landslide prevention, etc.) and realize Eco-DRR (using ecosystems in disaster prevention and mitigation).

　We will create a new legacy from Wakayama, a land rich in trees.

HP：Kusube Sangyo Co., Ltd.（外部リンク） 

HP：Enomoto Ringyo Co., Ltd.（外部リンク）