Japanese leather has a 1,500-year history, with many leather processing techniques believed to have been introduced by people arriving from the Continent before the Asuka period. In ancient times, deerskin was most popular, used widely for armor, horse tack, clothing, bedding, and more. Later, cowhide, horsehide, and pigskin also came into use. Today, cowhide is the most widely produced leather in Japan, though hides from pigs, horses, sheep, and deer are also produced. Beyond finishes that maximize each type's inherent qualities, Japanese leather also incorporates traditional techniques like indigo dyeing, lacquer work, and sumi-nuri (ink-flow dyeing), resulting in uniquely Japanese leather finishes.

Even within Japan, the characteristics of the finished leather vary due to climate, culture, and historical background. However, Japanese leather is said to be distinguished by its greater stability in quality, higher reproducibility, and more meticulous finish compared to leather tanned overseas. A key factor in producing this leather is Japan's abundant water sources, essential for the finishing process. Japanese rivers are generally short and fast-flowing, contributing to their clean water quality. Japan's leather-producing regions boast multiple pristine rivers, whose water is used for meticulous tanning processes. Additionally, efforts to address environmental concerns have intensified in recent years, leading to a greater focus on non-chrome leather and eco-leather. Leveraging Japan's technological expertise, new types of leather are continuously produced.

Japanese tanners have a strong reputation for business integrity. They strictly adhere to contracts with clients, delivering meticulous finishes, minimizing waste, and ensuring timely deliveries—all within the often challenging leather production process.

Tanners in Wakayama have mastered the production of specialty items, such as vegetable-tanned leather, split leather, sheepskin leather, and enamel finishes, a signature Wakayama technique. This enables a single company to integrate and manage the production of specialized leathers, which usually requires a division of labor. This creates an environment capable of handling orders that would be difficult for others to accommodate. Furthermore, tanners maintain strong solidarity, enabling the smooth sharing of information and techniques.

The Sumida district of Tokyo is known for producing "Made in Tokyo" pigskin leather, crafted from pure domestic pigskins. The district is not only home to tanneries but is also a hub for leather-related businesses, including wholesalers, shoe and bag manufacturers, and distributors. Additionally, the district has a town-wide production system in which specialized craftsmen and workshops for tanning, dyeing, processing, and skiving are gathered. This division of labor fosters an environment well-suited to handling labor-intensive custom orders.

The leather industry in the Soka area has a shorter history than in other regions. To change this situation, tanners collaborate across the community, handling a diverse range of leathers, from cowhide to exotic skins, and involving in every step of the process, from procuring raw hides to creating finished products. Their constant embrace of new challenges has led to their eco-leather initiatives and the passing of techniques on to the next generation.

There are not many tanneries in the Tochigi, Nagano, and Yamagata regions, but the ones that exist include those large-scale tanneries capable of processing all types of leather, and those specialize in large leather goods, such as sofas and chairs. These tanneries leverage their proximity to abundant water sources and maintain their distinctive characteristics.