About This Region

Fujiyoshida
Fujiyoshida is a city in Yamanashi Prefecture, known as the only place in the prefecture with an official climbing route to Mount Fuji. The city has thrived through a combination of tourism and the textile industry, which developed by utilizing abundant spring water.
The Yoshida Trail, which starts at the foot of the mountain, is the only route that has been continuously maintained in its original form, preserving the path used historically by pilgrims and climbers.

With the rise of Mt. Fuji tourism, the area experienced a boom, leading to the growth of commerce catering to visitors. Both Kamiyoshida and Shimoyoshida developed into active commercial zones.
In the Edo period, the local silk weaving industry gained prominence, becoming a core part of the regional economy. At the same time, the government issued sumptuary laws banning luxurious clothing. This led to a trend of using decorative inner linings that weren’t visible from the outside, which in turn encouraged the development of refined weaving techniques and contributed to the flourishing of the textile trade.

Thanks to the blessings of Mt. Fuji in the form of abundant spring water, waterways played a vital role in the formation of the town. Many households combined textile work with agriculture. Hydroponic farming using spring water became common, leading to the establishment of the local food culture, such as “Yoshida no Udon.”

Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji, shaped over thousands of years by volcanic activity, has a striking landscape that symbolizes the boundary between life and death.
In areas where lava flows occurred, vegetation is sparse, while the untouched plateaus are covered in broadleaf forests. This contrast is particularly evident in places like the Aokigahara Forest and the edge of the Kenmarubi Lava Flow. Caves formed by lava flows, lava tree molds known as lava tree shapes, the tenchi no sakai (boundary of heaven and earth) at the tree line, and the Ochudo trail circling the mountain—these natural formations have long fascinated people and given rise to deep meanings and spiritual beliefs.

Textile factory of Fujiyoshida

Tenjin Factory
With over 70 years of accumulated expertise, Tenjin Factory produces linen fabrics designed to blend seamlessly into everyday Japanese life.
Linen, made from the stalks of flax plants and not using flowers or leaves, is known for its minimal impact on ecosystems and low risk of soil pollution. By focusing on linen, Tenjin Factory aims to create environmentally conscious textiles that harmonize with daily living.
Materials: Cotton, Linen

Watanabe Textile
Led by the third-generation owner, Tatsuyasu Watanabe—whose background includes architecture, photography, and art—Watanabe Textile explores new possibilities in textiles using natural materials. From design to weaving, he handles every process himself.
Using a dobby loom suited for weaving simple structures, he primarily works with cupro (a regenerated cellulose fiber) while blending in various natural materials to create his own distinctive fabrics.
Materials: Japanese paper, Alpaca, Silk, Cotton, Linen, Cashmere, Wool, Rayon, Nylon, Polyester, Cupro

Funakubo Textile
Founded in 1924, Funakubo Textile has been weaving a wide variety of fabrics and patterns, particularly specializing in umbrella fabrics.
The company is known for its mastery of Hogushi-ori, a technique in which warp threads are dyed and temporarily woven with placeholder weft threads. These temporary threads are then removed before the final weaving, resulting in patterns with a blurred, soft, and deeply textured appearance.
Materials: Silk, Cotton, Linen, Polyester

Maeda Gen Shoten
Established in 1921, Maeda Gen Shoten has over 100 years of history. In the 1990s, the company discovered organic cotton and was inspired by its quality and potential. Since then, they have shifted to producing fabrics made from organic cotton, continuing their tradition of high-level craftsmanship while promoting sustainable materials.
Material: Organic Cotton

Many other weaving mills in Fujiyoshida continue to create high-quality textiles with a deep respect for tradition and innovation.