Welcome to Sanjo

Known in Japanese as the "City of Craftsmanship", Sanjo's long history of metalworking stretches back hundreds of years. Indeed, the name "Kaji-Machi" (Blacksmith's Town) appears in land survey records from the early Edo period.

Sanjo's blacksmiths were initially focused on manufacturing "wakugi" (Japanese nails) to support the architecture of the ever-expanding Edo (present-day Tokyo). Sanjo became one of Japan's major wakugi producers, and centuries later, you can still find wakuji and metal fittings manufactured in Sanjo in use today at temples and shrines throughout Japan, including at the Ise Grand Shrine in Ise, Mie.

During the Edo period Niigata prefecture was regarded as an area of great agricultural potential. Sanjo's blacksmiths responded to the expectations for the region and assisted with its agricultural development by beginning to locally forge bladed agricultural tools such as sickles and hoes. Later, trade along Sanjo's river network brought an influx of new ideas, leading to the development of other consumer products including carpentry tools and kitchen knives, the latter of which became the backbone of Sanjo's industry.

Today, Niigata prefecture is renowned for the quality of its rice and sake, and a wide range of companies focused on craftsmanship are working alongside the blacksmiths to continue Sanjo's rich artisanal history by creating beautifully shaped agricultural, outdoor, industrial, and culinary products for domestic and global customers.

Sanjo is a convenient city. It's located in the heart of Niigata and has an interchange and a JR station within minutes of city hall. Practically speaking, you have easy access to ski hills, the Sea of Japan, and other municipalities, including a direct Shinkansen terminating in Tokyo.

Contact us today for a consultation or a bespoke "test-live" tour

Living and working in Sanjo

Sanjo is home to just over 90,000 people and the city proactively invests in new infrastructure and facilities to make Sanjo an excellent place to live for each and every one of them.

In addition to collaborating with local taxi companies to launch a new AI-assisted transit service earlier this year, Sanjo also opened a beautiful new multi-purpose library/museum (Machiyama) in 2022, a new technical university (Sanjo City University) in 2021, and a new cultural hub/multi-purpose fitness facility (Taibun) in 2019. Further, the prefecture opened a new core hospital in Sanjo (Saiseikai Niigata Kenoh Kikan Byōin) earlier this year. (Links in Japanese)

With a mayor and deputy mayor both in their 30s, Sanjo understands the importance of providing its younger generations with agency and opportunities to creatively shape the city they live in. Specifically, Sanjo subsidizes building refurbishment, helps entrepreneurs with business plans so they can turn their visions into successful businesses, and collaborates with private individuals and companies to host events throughout the city.

Sanjo also has a favourable jobs-to-applicants ratio spanning its manufacturing, agricultural, and other industries; in other words, there are jobs available for talented individuals.

Sanjo is a lively city

As you might expect from the introduction, there are opportunities to try blacksmithing for yourself and Sanjo's companies participate annually in the regional open-factory/open-workshop festival "Tsubamesanjo Kouba no Saiten". (Link in Japanese)

But Sanjo is also home to a diverse range of other events, including festivals (Sanjo Matsuri in May, Sanjo Natsu Matsuri in July, and "Otorikoshi" in November), an annual kite battle (Sanjo Ikagassen), an annual New Year's Day 10k, farmers markets with local produce, crafts, and food trucks, marchés (larger scale markets) held throughout the city, and more! (Links in Japanese)

Beyond events, and thanks to the efforts of its entrepreneurs, Sanjo's shopping district has come back to life with Japanese confectionaries, Japanese restaurants, and a recently refurbished bathhouse side-by-side with foreign cuisines, modern cafes, and an active nightlife with an eclectic mix of places to go for a drink.

Enjoy your life in Niigata's countryside

If you follow the Ikarashi river southeast out of the city's centre you'll come to a quieter part of Sanjo where vast rice fields are nestled between mountains on either side. The residents in this part of Sanjo have long appreciated the slow life and living in tune with the seasons.

Come to Sanjo and you'll understand why―Sanjo's beauty changes with the seasons, giving you different views throughout the year when you're fishing in a mountain stream, hiking or picking wild produce, exploring on your road bike, soaking in one of Sanjo's scenic onsens, or camping under the stars. 

And of course, the food.

Niigata prefecture as a whole is known throughout Japan for its rice, sake, and the seafood caught in the Sea of Japan. Sanjo's farmers and sake breweries are proud to contribute to that reputation, and Sanjo's restaurants serve seasonal dishes as delicious as their ingredients.

Sanjo has both "city" and "rural" components, homes here are more affordable than in larger cities, and residents still receive all the benefits and conveniencies of living in a city-sized municipality. Furthermore, as a proud ally, Sanjo was recognized last year with "work with Pride's" bronze medal for its efforts to help make Sanjo feel like home to people of every background (follow the link to learn more about Sanjo's "partnership" and "familyship" programs; link in Japanese).

Put simply, it's easy to live here.

Sanjo's "Akiya Bank" program

If you're looking at moving to Sanjo, consider taking advantage of Sanjo's Akiya Bank program, which currently receives hundreds of consultations each year from potential buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords alike. (Link in Japanese)

Relocation consultations

We understand that moving to a new city is an important decision. Maybe one of the biggest decisions in your life. We can help make that decision an easy one.

Sanjo's "Relocation Concierge" is available online and by phone (in Japanese) to discuss all things related to moving to Sanjo and settling into your new life here, including finding employment and a place to live, whether you qualify for any subsidies, and more.

Bespoke "test-live" tours

We offer potential new residents the opportunity to "test-live" Sanjo.

We listen to your story to put together a tour tailored to your needs. On your bespoke tour, in addition to having the option to see the sights, try local delicacies, and tour factories to see craftspeople at work, you can also learn about childcare facilities and other everyday necessities (such as grocery stores, support facilities, etc.), visit schools and parks, and take an in-person look at vacant properties.  

These tours are partially subsidized and you have the option to come just for the day or to stay overnight in Sanjo for one or two nights.

See the two examples below (in Japanese) for more details:

Test-live tour 1

Test-live tour 2

Apply now!

Please contact us by email to arrange your initial consultation. In your email, let us know if you'd like us to provide interpretation between English and Japanese at your consultation.

Email: tsubasan@kirahoshi.com

Address: Located inside of "三-Me." at Shinmei-cho, Sanjo, Niigata 5-3 (三条市神明町5-3)
Business Hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday (closed on weekends and public holidays)
Phone: 080-6975-2026 (Japanese only)
Online: https://locacary.com/tsubasan
Online Consultation Schedule: https://timerex.net/s/kirahoshi/a49a29b7
Official LINE Account: https://lin.ee/dgXWYqq