If you’re the kind of person who appreciates traditional craftsmanship and doesn’t mind paying a little more to get it, we have a product for you today that you really have to see.
On sale from tomorrow, these stunning mini speakers are made by master craftsmen in Kyoto and use specially grown Japanese cedar, taking an incredible 30 years to go from planting to finished product.
Kyoto Natural Factory, who makes of a variety of goods using only materials sourced from Japan’s former capital, has teamed up with rare wood specialists Asunaro Shouten to create these stunning wooden speakers, called Nenrin Mini.
Made with Kitayamasugi cedar and featuring an all-wood body and cone, these speakers pack 2x15w stereo amps and are Bluetooth ready, making them easy to hook up with your smartphone, tablet or computer.
There are two models available, the Nenrin Mini Jinshibo and the Nenrin Mini Deshibo (the former’s pattern is carefully added to the wood, the latter’s 100% natural), both of which can be purchases in ‘natural’ or ‘dark’ colours.
▼ The wood is so delicate and so perfectly polished that it almost doesn’t look real in these images
These things certainly don’t come cheap, though: the speakers retail for a whopping 90,000 yen (US$890) each due to the wood’s relative rarity and the time is takes to grow. Still, if you’re feeling flush and are in the market for a couple of genuinely beautiful speakers, head over to Kyoto Natural Factory for more info.
Source/insert images: Japaaan Magazine
Feature image: Kyoto Natural Factory
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Eevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag
We try five menu recommendations from a clerk at CoCo Ichibanya and almost fall in love
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Eevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag
We try five menu recommendations from a clerk at CoCo Ichibanya and almost fall in love
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Kura Sushi adding premium tier pricing for better chance at capsule machine game
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Kura Sushi adding premium tier pricing for better chance at capsule machine game
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Ramen restaurant in Saitama offers handshakes for 10 yen, and much more
Room 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
Extreme Budget Travel! Can you do a trip to Manila with 50,000 yen (US$333)? – Part 1
Enter the double! This is “Afghan Bruce Lee”, and he’s a high-kicking sensation【Pictures】
Real-life Demon Slayer? A visit to the legendary split boulder of Haban Shrine【Photos】
Stay in an eerie Japanese ryokan inn near Tokyo Tower for US$40 a night
Take it From a Native! Recipe for Delicious Japanese Curry as Found at Coco Ichiban
Starbucks Japan gifts us with the Matcha Classic Green Tea Latte for a limited time