Kagawa Gloves Museum

A small yet informative museum about Higashikagawa’s overlooked history of glove manufacturing. It’s free and self-guided. There’s QR codes that will lead you to explanations in English, Chinese and Korean. The staff at the glove shop are very knowledgeable about the history and the different manufacturers in the area. There’s some good deals on gloves and staff can help you find your size. I really enjoyed it!

I rushed in on August 30th, just as the summer session was coming to an end. This was also a nostalgic place, as if I had traveled there before. I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to those who have nurtured this wonderful industry. The warm gloves I received a few years ago, and the gloves I lost the year before last. Although it was a short period, they were very kind to me. I hope that this industry can continue to survive as a growing industry...that is what I truly hope. @@@@@

The Kagawa Glove Museum introduces the history of the glove industry and displays gloves worn by famous athletes, gloves made from various materials, old sewing machines, etc. The glove outlet store sells gloves and bags from local companies at bargain prices.

When I come to Higashikagawa City, I sometimes stop by to see if I can find any bargains. There are some nice things there, like buying gloves to send to a friend who loves motorcycles... There is an exhibition room and a shop, and the staff take turns tending the store and dealing with customers. Lately there haven't been many bargains, and in the summer, when it's not the season, there used to be some bargains, but over the past year or two it's become a bit stale and the staff's customer service is very bureaucratic and not very pleasant. There is no proper initial greeting or manners when speaking to customers, and it feels very bureaucratic, so it's a shame that people often leave the shop early. But it is a valuable base for learning about the history and culture of Kagawa Prefecture's glove production area, so please do your best to promote the town.

It is a place where a museum and a sales office are combined. When I went there, I happened to be there and was able to hear a lot of stories from the museum staff. Most domestically produced products are produced here, but they are also made by craftsmen. The craftsmen are getting older and there is a problem of finding successors. As I listened to the story, the future seems quite bleak. It is a seasonal product, so it is affected by the warm winter, but above all, the advent of smartphones has led to an increase in people not wearing gloves. It is true that there are touch-enabled gloves, but in terms of operability, it is better to take them off sooner. Furthermore, in cities with underground facilities, it is less likely to walk under the north wind. Since UV-cut gloves came out as a sunburn prevention measure, products that sell outside of winter have been created, but when it is this hot, parasols are more important than gloves. Indeed, this is next to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and there are various facilities such as the city hall nearby. I came here during my lunch break, so when I arrived at the parking lot, I saw people of all ages and genders using parasols. Just like the gloves of professional athletes on display, they also make gloves for professionals, but even though they say "Made in Japan," the name of Tokagawa doesn't appear. The name of the manufacturer who ordered the gloves is known, but Tokagawa's name is not. Tokagawa is like the unsung hero behind the scenes. That's why they don't have a chance to be known. After hearing this story, I wanted everyone to know about them. I was thinking about how I would promote them if I were in their shoes. Of course, I'm a complete amateur, so I'm sure I'm being tested on my ideas, but I thought it would be a good thought experiment. It was midsummer, but I bought gloves and leg warmers at the store on my way home. I don't know if the winter lineup will expand in winter, but I'll take a look again. Personally, I'd like a mitten type with removable fingertips. I'll look when I pass through Kagawa in winter.