Nagasuta — Japanese Vintage Treasures & Traditional Upcycling

Deep in the mountains of Hatsukaichi, far from Hiroshima’s busy downtown streets, lies the quiet village of Tsuta. It’s the kind of place where houses sit close to the forest line, narrow roads curve past old storehouses, and neighbors still share extra vegetables or homemade pickles over the fence. At the heart of this small community is Nagasta, a cozy space that serves as a thrift shop, workshop studio, and informal meeting place for local residents.

Walking inside feels less like entering a store and more like stepping into someone’s attic or storeroom—full of things that have been used, loved, and passed down. Shelves are lined with items brought in by people from the area: tea cups that once sat on family tables, lacquerware boxes used during New Year celebrations, children’s toys now outgrown, and handmade crafts sewn or carved by local residents. Each object carries traces of a life it once lived, giving the space a sense of warmth that commercial resale shops rarely have.

For travelers searching for uniquely Japanese souvenirs, Nagasta offers a chance to discover everyday objects from rural households. Ceramic tea cups and dishes stand in towering stacks, each with a different pattern and age; traditional Japanese dolls rest quietly in display shelves; and hand-painted lacquered boxes sit like small treasure chests waiting to be opened. Because everything comes from local homes—not wholesalers—what you find here feels personal, even intimate, as if you are being allowed to take home a piece of someone’s story.

One especially memorable corner is filled with items upcycled from kimono and obi fabrics. Bags, pouches, and accessories are sewn from textiles that can no longer be worn, but whose colors and textures still hold their beauty. Many are handmade by older women in the community, making each piece unique and deeply rooted in traditional craft. 

Nagasta is also a place to make things, not just shop. On certain days, the store runs workshops where visitors learn how to repurpose materials creatively. One popular activity uses broken porcelain—participants arrange fragments of old dishes into framed artwork, giving once-discarded ceramics a second life. Other workshops introduce woodworking or other upcycling methods, depending on what materials the community has gathered at the time. Because the themes change throughout the year, it’s best to check their official Instagram for the latest schedule, especially if you want to take home a handmade souvenir from your visit.

There is also a small café area inside, making it a pleasant stop during a countryside drive. The atmosphere feels familiar, more like sitting in a friend’s living room than dining at a restaurant. It’s a relaxed place to slow down, enjoy lunch, and take your time browsing through the shelves afterward.

Nagasta is more than a thrift shop. It is a place where local life, history, and creativity gather in one room—where objects that might have been forgotten find new owners, new uses, and new stories.

The shop is located in the Tsuta area of Hatsukaichi, about a 30–40 minute drive from central Hiroshima City. For those using public transportation, take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyauchi-Kushido Station (about 20 minutes). From the station’s west exit, board the #13 bus and get off at Saeki-shisho, one stop before the terminal.