Tatara ironmaking is a method of producing iron by burning iron sand and charcoal in a clay furnace. It is said that the origin of the technique was born in West Asia around 2000 BC, and spread to Europe and Asia around 1200 BC, and was introduced to Japan at least during the Kofun period.

At the Tatara Steel Open Air Museum, we have restored the Sugaya Tatara, the only extant palace in Japan, and introduce the history and culture of tatara steel. There are also various hands-on programs such as demonstrations of tatara ironmaking operations and blacksmithing.