Business · Companies · 19 hrs ago
Traditional wood packaging draws renewed interest as businesses cut plastic
Wood sheets called kyogi were once used to wrap or hold food, but became less common as plastic and vinyl packaging spread.
Now they are drawing renewed interest as plastic use is reduced.
Shimakura Sangyo, in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, continues to make the sheets.
At its workshop, a machine shaves blocks of wood into thin sheets.
The work preserves a traditional craft that might otherwise be less visible.
The company is continuing production, though no further plans are stated.
Traditional wood packaging known as kyogi is drawing renewed attention as businesses seek to reduce plastic use.
Kyogi is used to wrap or hold food.
Shima-kura Industry continues to make the packaging at its workshop in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture.
Workers use a machine with a large metal plane-like part to shave timber into thin sheets.
The article headline says the sheets are shaved to 0.15 millimeters thick.
- Who
- Shima-kura Industry, which continues to produce kyogi.
- What
- Traditional wood packaging for food is drawing renewed attention as plastic use is reduced.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Shima-kura Industry’s workshop in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
- Why
- Plastic packaging became commonplace, reducing opportunities to see kyogi; the article says it is being noticed again amid efforts to reduce plastic.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Packaging
- Kyogi, traditional wood sheets used to wrap or hold food
- Producer
- Shima-kura Industry
- Location
- Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture
- Sheet thickness
- 0.15 millimeters
- Publication date
- October 11, 2026
Sources
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