"Yamachiku only make bamboo chopsticks from pure, natural bamboo harvested from deep in the mountains of Kumamoto and Fukuoka prefectures.
Once you use our bamboo chopsticks, you can clearly see the difference. Some customers who use our products say they no longer want to use anything but bamboo chopsticks.
We will continue to make products, believing that bamboo chopsticks will enable more people to have a pleasant dining experience".

Bamboo grows at an astonishingly fast rate, with some growing more than one meter per day. In addition, bamboo forests produce more than 30% more oxygen than normal forests and absorb and store a lot of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases.On the other hand, because of its high vitality, bamboo is said to destroy forests if it is uncontrolled.  
Through the production of bamboo chopsticks, Yamachiku aims to create a sustainable society that will last forever. Their goal is to grow bamboo while managing it, to use the bamboo as chopsticks and other daily necessities, and to distribute the profits to the people who will be involved in the future maintenance of bamboo forests.

Bamboo chopsticks have been an indispensable part of the Japanese dining for centuries. The characteristics of bamboo chopsticks are light and flexible. Whether it is to pick up, to flake or to stir, bamboo chopsticks can be used in a variety of ways, making it easy to eat and enjoy any meal. In addition, bamboo can maintain its strength even in a thin shape, so delicate and beautiful chopsticks will make your dining table more elegant.

The material used for the chopsticks is natural bamboo from Fukuoka and Kumamoto. The bamboo forests are maintained by locals on a regular basis, which will help to preserve the ecosystem.

The bamboo is cut according to the nodes and dried to the appropriate size. Using a unique drying kiln, the water content is reduced from 60%, the original amount, to 10%. It is then carbonized to prevent the growth of insects and fungus.

Align the length and shape it into a stick. The bamboo bark is vital. If the fibers near the bark are cut too much, the strength of the bamboo will decrease. Therefore, the bamboo is processed with a special machine while keeping an eye on how much of the outer bark remains.

Paints and lacquers that meet the standards of the Food Sanitation Law are used for finishing. This not only has a decorative effect, but also makes the bamboo stronger and more durable while taking advantage of its moderate flexibility.

Step inside the workshop at Yamachiku, a bamboo chopstick maker nestled in the mountains of Kumamoto, Kyushu. For over half a century, Yamachiku has specialized in crafting chopsticks from locally harvested bamboo—shaped by hand, finished with layers of lacquer, and known for their lightness, smooth grip, and timeless design.

During our visit, we spoke with the women who apply the lacquer by hand and asked them what makes Yamachiku special. From round to square, plain to colorful, each pair has its own unique charm—and it turns out, everyone has a favorite.