Embrace the beauty of Japan blue in a professional aizome indigo dyeing workshop
- 2 hour private experience 
- Location: Ome City, Tokyo 
- 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
What you’ll do
Learn the history and craft behind aizome at this indigo dyeing workshop in Tokyo. Create your own pattern and dye your own aizome indigo fabric with a professional artisan. Explore the indigo workshop and discover more about the process of professional aizome dyeing.
Who can attend
Children must be 10+
What to wear
Skirts and sandals are not allowed (sneakers are recommended). Please wear clothes that can get dirty, and it is important that sleeves can be rolled up.
What else you should know
You can bring in your own shirt/T-shirt to dye (natural cotton/linen only). Seams may not dye.
Availability
Everyday except Tuesdays
Session 1 (10:00-12:00)
Session 2 (13:00-15:00)
Unavailable on New Year's holidays (approximately 10 days)
Access
1 hour 25 minutes by car from Tokyo Station.
Blue Beyond Belief
Dipped, dyed, dried, and decorated in bold patterns against a rich backdrop of indigo blue, aizome fabrics are a visually-stunning craft with a rich history in Japan. From the fluttering noren in storefront displays to the attire of ancient warriors, aizome indigo textiles can be viewed ubiquitously throughout Japan, in both historic and contemporary times. Introduced to Japan via the Silk Road by the end of the Asuka period, indigo—known as "Japan blue"—became a widespread, durable dye synonymous with the nation for its vibrant hue and resilience. A noble hue, aizome fabrics were used exclusively for the aristocratic court in the Heian Period, then adopted by the rising samurai class from the 12th century onwards, before proliferating to all social classes as agricultural innovations occurred in the Edo era. With antibacterial, insect-repellent, and UV-blocking properties, aizome indigo fabric is as beneficial as it is fashionable. Immerse into the brilliant color and craft of aizome textiles at a professional dyeing studio located deep in the tranquility of western Tokyo, where fresh air, bubbling rivers, and verdant mountains frame the workshop. Working side by side with a professional indigo artisan, make your own indigo fabric using traditional techniques and time-honored dyeing processes. Then, take the vivid hues of Japan blue with you, wherever you go.
 
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
    Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 14 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
 
                         
 
         
             
    
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
   
    
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
   
    
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
   
    
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
   
    
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
 
      
    
      
      
        
      
      
        
        
          
        
        
