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View all Kyoto toursKyoto Natural Indigo Dyeing with Local Masters by Local Operator
2-hour tour in Kyoto, including All tools and materials needed for the dyeing workshop and One cotton furoshiki cloth (approx. 45–50 cm). Run by Chie, booked direct rather than through a reseller.
Highlights
- Runs 2 hours
- All tools and materials needed for the dyeing workshop
- One cotton furoshiki cloth (approx. 45–50 cm)
- Use of natural fermented indigo vats (sukumo)
- Hands-on guidance from local artisans
- Cultural interpretation and English-language support from the host
Kyoto Natural Indigo Dyeing with Local Masters by Local Operator: Key Facts
| Price | From $123.5 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Full description
This is a 2-hour experience in Kyoto. It is run by Chie, an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.
Kyoto was Japan's capital for over a thousand years until 1868 and has 17 UNESCO-listed sites among some 2,000 temples and shrines. The big three are Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, covered in gold leaf and best in morning light; Kiyomizu-dera, the wooden stage on the eastern hills with the Higashiyama lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka below it; and Fushimi Inari's gates. Nijo Castle has the nightingale floors that squeak against intruders, and Ryoan-ji the rock garden. Temples open around 8:00 or 9:00 and close at 17:00, and the city bus is slow; a day with a driver or a guide who orders the stops against the crowds is the difference between four sights and seven.
The price covers All tools and materials needed for the dyeing workshop, One cotton furoshiki cloth, Use of natural fermented indigo vats, Hands-on guidance from local artisans and Cultural interpretation and English-language support from. It does not cover Transportation to and from the venue, Shipping service for your dyed item, Large-size fabric or garment dyeing and Meal or snack, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.
Chie sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with Chie before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
Includes
- All tools and materials needed for the dyeing workshop
- One cotton furoshiki cloth (approx. 45–50 cm)
- Use of natural fermented indigo vats (sukumo)
- Hands-on guidance from local artisans
- Cultural interpretation and English-language support from the host
- Herbal indigo leaf tea served during the experience
- Folding demonstration of traditional furoshiki wrapping techniques
- A small souvenir gift to take home
- Use of apron during the dyeing process
- Access to a private historical dye studio
- Time for photos with your finished creation
- A calm, small-group environment for an intimate cultural experience
Excludes
- Transportation to and from the venue
- Shipping service for your dyed item (available only upon request at extra cost)
- Large-size fabric or garment dyeing (only one furoshiki is included)
- Meal or snack (only tea is included)
- Multilingual support beyond English and Japanese
- Extra materials or furoshiki beyond the one provided
- Clothing change room (we recommend wearing casual clothes)
Important information
Meeting point
Chie sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
This was an amazing experience! The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and kind. They walked us through the farm to dye vat journey the indigo had been on and helped us select beautiful patterns for our pieces. We were even able to add an extra piece to the dye vat for just a bit extra because we had trouble narrowing down our choices. They have a number of dye patterns they can show you how to achieve and you can always freestyle. I would definitely do this workshop again. This was our high point in our trip to kyoto!
We had an amazing experience. The team’s warm hospitality, professionalism, and detailed explanations created a truly memorable workshop. Although textile dyeing is not my hobby (it is my wife’s hobby), I still found the workshop very interesting, and we both had a great time. Thank you very much, Chie, Skye, and the Indigo dye team.
A fabulous experience! A highlight of my trip to Japan. The staff were so friendly and helpful. Hands on experience of natural indigo dying. I was so very happy with my end product. I recommend highly.
Three of us, all experienced dyers, booked back to back classes. The studio arranged for us to do 4 hours all at once. We all did different techniques and had lots of fun learning their way of doing indigo.
So glad I found this opportunity to participate in an authentic indigo dyeing class outside the touristy areas of Kyoto. I recommend taking a taxi to/from the atelier, would be quite difficult trying to navigate with buses. Overall a great experience where I got to learn about history of indigo in Japan, dye my own piece, and even get invited to have indigo tea with the owners. The guide was so kind and spoke English perfectly. Would recommend for those looking for something different & unique.
From the very start of our workshop the team here made us feel welcome and took the time to answer our questions and ensure we had the best experience as well as benefiting from their knowledge and skills. Both the assistants and the owner took part in the workshop and it was wonderful to see a true artisanal setup. Can’t recommend it enough for those interested in the arts and heritage crafts.
We had a wonderful time learning about the authenticity of indigo dyeing. Everyone was so helpful and informative during the experience. Would highly recommend this workshop.
This was a fun and interesting activity. The guides were so friendly and helpful and spoke excellent English. Would highly recommend.
I had the very best time ! The place was really intimate and the persons that work here are genuinely happy to share their passion for indigo dyeing. Some of them being in the field for more than 15years ! They let you choose your pattern, show you how to make it and leave the rest to you while checking everything goes smoothly just aside you. I would 100% recommend trying this very traditional 400y.o piece of Japanese history
This was easily the best experience of our trip! From getting to learn about the history of the art from the Indigo Master, to the hands-on experience of dyeing, to sharing stories and chatting with the shop owner over tea, and to receiving our final projects, I cannot recommend this experience enough. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
This was a highlight of our time in Kyoto. What a fun and crafty learning experience . Everyone was so helpful and patient. We all enjoyed making our pieces and learning about how indigo is grown, processed and used in doing. Thank you for a unique experience . !
amazing. simply amazing. being able to learn from masters of dyeing and so very friendly. the translation was excellent and we had so much fun learning about the process of natural indigo dyeing. if you are curious about it at all, I highly recommend doing this tour, you will not regret it!