Skip to content
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING FROM JAPAN
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING FROM JAPAN

Hakata Bentwood Tamaki

Handmade Hakata Magemono bento boxes for more than 400 years.

checkmark icon
400 YEARS OF WORKSHOP HISTORY
foundry icon
18TH GENERATION ARTISAN, 1ST FEMALE
knife icon
CEDAR & CHERRY WOOD
hammer icon
MADE IN HAKATA, FUKUOKA PREFECTURE

Hakata Bentwood Tamaki

For over 400 years, the Shibata family has worked in woodwork, creating handmade Bento Boxes and more. Today, the workshop is run by the first female artisan in all its history.

Tamaki Shibata, from Hakata Bentwood Tamaki, making a magewappa oval bento box
Open Hakata Bentwood Tamaki Magewappa Oval Bento Box
$94.99 - $94.99
$94.99
$94.99 - $94.99
$94.99

Hakata Bentwood Tamaki Magewappa Oval Bento Box

Hakata Bentwood Tamaki
in stock

A handcrafted oval magewappa bento lunchbox by Hakata Bentwood Tamaki, made in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Each bento box is carefully crafted from ...

View full details
$94.99 - $94.99
$94.99
$94.99 - $94.99
$94.99

About the Craftswoman

MEET THE ARTISAN BEHIND HAKATA BENTWOOD TAMAKI

For over 400 years, the Shibata family has been at the heart of Hakata Bentwood, preserving this traditional Japanese woodworking craft.

Tamaki Shibata, the 18th-generation artisan, took over the family business after her father’s sudden passing, becoming the first female craftsperson in its long history.

Raised in a workshop filled with the cedar and cypress, Tamaki dedicated herself to keeping the tradition alive despite financial struggles and personal hardships.

She modernizes bentwood designs while preserving the meticulous handcrafting techniques passed down for centuries. Her work has been exhibited in Tokyo, Kyoto, and beyond, proving that traditional craftsmanship can adapt to modern times.

Her eldest son, Shogo, now joins her in the workshop, preparing to carry the legacy forward. Together, they are ensuring that Hakata Bentwood continues to flourish, bridging the past and future while honoring Japan’s deep-rooted cultural heritage.

Stacked Magewappa Oval Bento boxes ready for packaging inside the Hakata Bentwood Tamaki workshop

What is Hakata magemono?

Hakata magemono (博多曲げわっぱ) is a bentwood craft from Fukuoka with over four centuries of history. Thin cedar sheets are steamed until pliable, bent into shape, and sealed with cherry bark stitching. No metal is used anywhere. The craft originated as maker of ritual wares for Hakozaki Shrine and is now recognized as a protected traditional craft of Fukuoka Prefecture.

Empty Oval Bento Box crafted by Hakata Bentwood Tamaki open showing outside of lid on wooden background

Hakata Bentwood Tamaki Magewappa Oval Bento Box

  • 100% Handmade in Japan
  • Cedar absorbs moisture from warm rice, then releases it slowly as it cools. Your rice stays fluffy instead of sticky or gummy, even hours later.
  • No lacquer, no urethane, no coating of any kind. The interior is bare cedar, so the wood's pores are fully active.
  • 500ml capacity, sized for a complete Japanese bento meal.
  • Each box is slightly different. Grain, tone, and proportions vary naturally from piece to piece.
How to Care for Your Bento Box

How to Care for Your Bento Box

Before First Use:

To remove the natural tannins in the cedar, pour hot water (about 80°C/175°F) into both the lid and the base, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Then, discard the water and let the box dry completely before use.
⚠️ Leaving hot water in for too long may cause stains. Be careful when handling hot water to avoid burns.

Usage & Care Instructions:

  • After use, wash with lukewarm water. Wipe moisture with a cloth and dry thoroughly.
  • For oily stains, use diluted mild detergent. Avoid microwaves, dishwashers, prolonged soaking, bleach, baking soda, and metal scrubbers as they may damage the product and cause mold.
  • Over time, the box may darken due to a reaction between rice starch and cedar tannins, but this is normal and won't affect usage.
  • Please understand that since each piece is handcrafted by artisans, there may be slight variations.
Closeup of hands with a pencil and a small rule measuring up parts for a bento box with wood scratches in the background inside Hakata Bentwood Tamaki workshop
Oval Bento Box crafted by Hakata Bentwood Tamaki filled with rice and vegetables on wooden background
Wooden frames for Magewappa Oval bento boxes hanging inside the Hakata Bentwood Tamaki workshop
Closeup of wooden pieces in round shapes inside Hakata Bentwood Tamaki workshop

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hakata magemono?

Hakata magemono is a traditional bentwood craft from Fukuoka, Japan, with over 400 years of history. Thin sheets of cedar or hinoki are steamed, bent into shape, and stitched with cherry bark. Originally made as ritual wares for Hakozaki Shrine, today this craft is recognized as a Fukuoka Prefecture protected traditional craft.

Why does uncoated cedar keep rice better than plastic or lacquered boxes?

Cedar naturally absorbs excess moisture from freshly packed rice, then slowly releases it as the rice cools, keeping it fluffy rather than sticky or soggy. Because there's no coating blocking the wood's pores, this moisture regulation works continuously. Rice packed in an uncoated cedar box also stays tasty when cold, which is rare with plastic containers.

Is my Hakata Bentwood Tamaki bento box dishwasher safe?

No, Hakata Magemono Tamaki bento boxes should not be washed in the dishwasher.

How should I care for my wooden bento box?

Rinse with lukewarm water after each use, wipe dry, and air-dry fully in a shaded spot before storing. Use a soft sponge and a small amount of mild diluted detergent for oily residue. Never soak, bleach, or put in the dishwasher or microwave. The inside may gradually darken with use. This is a natural reaction between rice starch and cedar tannins, and is completely harmless.

How long will it take to ship my order?

All prices include FREE international shipping. Please allow up to 5 weeks for shipping, depending on your country of residence. Please see our Shipping Policy for details.

Please note: Our products ship directly from Japan to you. You may be required to pay customs duties and/or customs clearance fees upon delivery (if applicable in your country). US customers please see our Important Notice for US Customers.

Compare products

{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}

Select first item to compare

Select second item to compare

Select third item to compare

Compare