Guides
Practical, no-fluff guides for getting your product made in Japan's craft regions.
Foreign Brands That Manufacture in Japan — and What They Teach Small Brands
Tatcha, Miyabi, SK-II, and indie brands like Kettl all built their business on Japanese manufacturing. What they have in common, why it worked, and how small brands can now follow the same playbook.
2026-07-21
How to Order Samples from Japanese Factories (Before Committing to Production)
The practical guide to getting product samples from Japanese craft factories — what samples cost, how to ask in Japanese, how to pay without bank wires, and how to evaluate what arrives.
2026-07-21
How Much Does It Cost to Manufacture in Japan? A Realistic Breakdown
What small brands actually pay for Japanese OEM manufacturing — cost structure, sample and tooling fees, minimum lots, and the pricing logic that makes made-in-Japan work at retail.
2026-07-21
"Japan vs. China Manufacturing: Which Is Right for Your Brand?"
An honest comparison of manufacturing in Japan versus China for small brands — cost, quality, minimum orders, IP safety, communication, and when each one is the right choice.
2026-07-21
Japanese Ceramics OEM: Making Original Tableware in Hasami, Mino & Arita
How overseas brands and cafes can produce original tableware with Japanese kilns — semi-orders from 30 pieces, mold costs explained, and which pottery region fits your brand.
2026-07-21
How to Create Your Own Japanese Knife Brand (Seki, Sakai & Tsubame-Sanjo OEM)
Japanese factories already manufacture for the world's top knife brands — and some accept surprisingly small OEM orders. Here's how to launch your own knife brand with Japan's blade regions.
2026-07-21
Shipping from Japan: EMS vs Couriers, Customs, and What Factory Quotes Mean
How samples and production orders actually get from a Japanese factory to you — carrier choices, duties, incoterms like EXW and FOB, and the two documents that make customs smooth.
2026-07-21
What Can You Get Made in Japan? A Tour of 15 Craft Regions and Categories
A category-by-category guide to Japanese OEM manufacturing for small brands — knives from Seki, towels from Imabari, ceramics from Arita and Hasami, denim from Kojima, and more, with realistic minimum lots.
2026-07-21
How to Contact a Japanese Factory (When You Don't Speak Japanese)
Why English emails to Japanese craft factories go unanswered, and the exact approach that gets replies — including what to write, business etiquette, and how to handle Japanese responses.
2026-07-20
How to Get Your Product Made in Japan: A Practical Guide for Small Brands
Everything overseas founders need to know about small-batch OEM manufacturing in Japan — craft regions, minimum lots, costs, the language barrier, and how to actually reach a factory.
2026-07-20
How to Launch Your Own Towel Brand with Imabari & Senshu Factories
Japanese towels are a world-class product with surprisingly low OEM barriers — semi-orders from around 100 pieces. Here's how overseas founders can work with Imabari and Senshu factories.
2026-07-20