What is Grand Seiko? Grand Seiko is the main brand of Seiko, a company that has been creating watches that rival luxury watchmakers around the world in both quality and design. Established in 1960, Grand Seiko has been committed to creating watches with extreme attention to accuracy and with a high-quality finish by dedicated craftspeople. Under the brand philosophy of “The Nature of Time,” it has always been delivering beautifully-designed watches with exceptional quality, reflecting the philosophy and embracing the harmony with nature.

One of Grand Seiko’s famous dial designs is inspired by the magnificent white birch trees in the Hiraniwa Highland.

What is Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi? Located in a town called Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture, Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi is a manufacturing facility for Grand Seiko’s mechanical watches. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, it features a design that blends in with the surrounding nature. It opened in 2020 when Grand Seiko reached its 60th anniversary. Shizukuishi is considered as the mecca of Seiko’s high-end mechanical watch manufacturing, and the watches created here are infused with inspiration from nature.

Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi standing surrounded by nature

Insect hotels have been set up on the premises to preserve the ecosystem in the surrounding area

What you can learn at Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi The studio tour starts from the exhibition area in the spacious entrance hall, which features impressive, sloped beams. A wide variety of watch parts, as well as the brand’s history, are on display, so you can truly see Grand Seiko’s commitment to quality.

The roof with the sloped beams not only makes the room feel spacious, but also helps keep dust from accumulating.

The exhibition area also provides explanations of a variety of parts and the brand’s history.

Just past the exhibition area, you will find the clean room (assembly studio). Watching how the technicians assemble watches and conduct precision adjustments, from the corridor through the windows, will definitely be a truly valuable experience. Moreover, Grand Seiko’s design philosophy, as well as other exhibits explaining the accuracy standards called “Grand Seiko Standards,” are shown in the spaces by the windows. Watching the manufacturing process, with an understanding of how the watches are made, makes the experience all the more memorable.

From the sunlit corridor, you can appreciate the art of the watch assembly process.

There is also a souvenir photo area. Put on the white coat and feel like a craftsperson!

Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi lets you experience the spirit of Grand Seiko. It also offers exclusive models that are available only at this location. It is a place where every watch fan wants to visit at least once. The studio tour is by reservation only, so make sure to make a reservation before visiting!

Grand Seiko watches are also available at Fa-So-La TAX FREE AKIHABARA in terminal 1 and at FaSoLa Watches & Accessories in terminal 2 of Narita Airport, so don’t forget to check them out before your flight!

■DATA Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi Address: 61-1 Itabashi, Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate (inside Morioka Seiko Instruments Inc.) Opening hours: We offer three reservation-only sessions per day, at the times listed below. (Please refrain from booking multiple sessions on the same day.) 9:30 – 10:45 12:15 – 13:30 14:45 – 16:00 Closed on: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (Check the tour reservation calendar on the reservation webpage.) Tel: 019-692-5863 Studio tour reservation page: https://gs-studio-shizukuishi.resv.jp/ (Information as of June 2025)

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