2.5 hour private experience
Location: Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
The 10th-generation head of the dyeing specialty store, Sosuke's business-minded pragmatism sees the beauty in innovation, always seeking ways to design better products to reach more people, artisans and academics alike. Through his efforts, Kyoto's heritage of textiles is able to flourish for future generations.
What you’ll do
Visit a 10th-generation dye specialist store with origins in temple pilgrimages. Tour the store with the 10th-generation head and learn about Japan's history of dyes and their modern applications. Then, head to the indigo dyeing studio, pick your own design, and create a brilliant blue textile to take home.
Availability
Monday to Saturday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:30)
Session 2 (14:00 - 16:30)
Who can attend
Children must be 6+
What’s included
Two tenugui hand towels, dyed by yourself.
What to wear
Clothing that you don't mind getting dirty.
Access
7 minutes by car from Kyoto Station
A Better Blue
Religious pilgrims, during the arduous final stages of their journey to sacred Kiyomizu Temple, would make one last stop before worship. Weary and worn after days upon days of travel, and in no state to greet holy priests or offer prayers, they arrived at the doors of this historic dyeing workshop in desperate need of some sartorial refreshment. While the centuries since then have shifted the customer base from temple-goers to artistic consumers, the tradition of textiles and dyes has continued to live on, unbroken for 10 generations. Offering a staggering range of both natural and artificial dyes, one notable speciality is a unique alteration of Japanese indigo, enhanced to reduce precious time involved during the indigo dyeing process. Japanese indigo, affixed with the moniker "Japanese Blue," has graced both samurai elites and working-class laborers, beloved for its antibacterial property and mesmerizing hues. At a dyeing specialist nearly 300 years old, immerse into the culturally and visually rich colors of Japan's heritage of dyeing, putting history into practice.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
