The Textiles & ArtS of KyOTO

April 17-28, 2025

Kyoto

Escorted Group Tour

Japanese textiles have long intrigued the members of the Hawaii Handweaver’s Hui. Our cultures are both similar and very different, with many common threads that connect us. We are pleased to announce our long-awaited return to Japan in April 2025, and invite you to join us on a private textile focused experience in the vibrant, creative city of Kyoto. We are happy to be working again with Nancy Craft and Esprit Travel, who are creating a trip just for us. We will learn about weaving, sashiko, katazome and yuzen, and more, during personal meetings and authentic hands-on experiences with renowned artists and artisans. We will sample seasonal cuisine and contemplate in quiet off-the-beaten track temples, gardens and explore hidden corners of Japan’s traditional capitol.

Thursday, April 17

Depart Home

Depart for Japan on your individually arranged flight.



Friday, April 18

Arrive Japan

We will give you advice on how to book your flights and transfer to the hotel in Kyoto from KIX (international flights) or ITM (domestic flights from Tokyo).  The evening is free.                                                   

Accommodations in Kyoto: Cross Hotel, located in the heart of Kyoto’s lively downtown area.

The evening is free

Saturday, April 19

Kyoto

This morning, we will visit Zuiho-in, a serene 20th century rock, sand, and moss garden designed by Mirei Shigemori. We will meet the abbot, who will give us an introduction to the Way of Tea.

We will visit another sub-temple within Daitoku-ji Monastery, entering through a quiet, bamboo-lined stone path, and enjoy the spare, mossy garden from the veranda, and see the 400-year-old tearooms as well as the lush stroll garden.

Lunch is at a restaurant specializing in Zen-style vegetarian cuisine.

After lunch, we will visit a 100-year-old weaving company specializing in obi.

Returning to downtown Kyoto, your tour leader will take you on an orientation walk on Sanjo Street highlighting some of the galleries and shops that you can return to on your own.

The evening is free.

Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.

Sunday, April 20

Kyoto

We’ll begin the day with a walk and contemplation at a quiet garden and then visit the studio of a master of katazome, a dye technique using a paste made from rice stenciled through washi paper that has been brushed with persimmon tannin and smoked to make it strong and reusable. The artist will demonstrate the tools and basic techniques of the craft.

After lunch, we will walk to the tiny workshop of kumihimo artisans who weave giant silk tassels and knots for Shinto shrines and intricate silk cords for kimono and contemporary art jewelry.

After some free time to explore on your own with Esprit’s Downtown Guide, we’ll meet for dinner.



Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Monday, April 21

Kyoto

We will start the day at the Toji Temple flea market.



This afternoon, we’ll have a presentation and workshop to learn about shibori, the art of shape resist dyeing.

Meal included today: Breakfast.

Tuesday, April 22

Shigaraki Day Trip

We will travel out of Kyoto to neighboring Shiga Prefecture by charter bus. Our first stop is the home and studio of a family of dyers to learn about the unique Japanese fermentation process of the plant Persicaria Tintoria to create the indigo dyestuff called sukumo. We will see a demonstration of dipping cloth and paper in their vats and see their finished work. 

A drive through the countryside brings us to the Miho, a spectacular museum that was designed by I.M. Pei, where we will see the permanent collection of Asian art and antiquities and this spring’s temporary exhibition.

A short ride brings us to Shigaraki, one of Japan’s old pottery towns dating back to the 1200’s, to visit the workshop of an artist who makes functional stoneware with the local light-colored gritty clay that is fired without glaze for six days in a huge wood-fired kiln. 

After returning to Kyoto in the late afternoon, the evening is free.

Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.

Wednesday, April 23

Kyoto

In the Nishijin weaving district, we will visit the traditional machiya-style merchant house of a 5th generation gold leaf artisan who is part of a collaborative process of applying gold leaf to handmade washi paper. The paper is cut and woven with silk to create luxurious kimono obi, for which Kyoto is famous. Later, we will have a presentation about sashiko stitching and boro, repetitive sashiko stitching that for generations has been used to patch and reuse precious cloth.



Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.

Thursday, April 24

Ohara Day Trip

We will travel north about 45 minutes to rural Ohara and take a leisurely walk through the picturesque rural village. We will see small family farms, flowering trees on the hillsides, and pickle shops featuring the many vegetables grown locally.

We will visit a beautiful temple and learn about natural dyeing at a family-run studio.

After a leisurely lunch at a farm to table restaurant, we will visit a rustic dye studio specializing in kakishibu, a dye technique using the tannin from persimmons to create a rich brown color.

After returning to Kyoto, the evening is free.

Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.

Friday, April 25

Kyoto

We’ll spend the morning at the massive Kitano flea market, which is held on the 25^th of each month on the spacious shrine grounds. After an introduction to Shinto, Japan’s indigenous spiritual belief, there will be ample time to browse the booths selling antiques, tools, scrolls, pottery, kimono, fabric scraps, plants, pickles, and artisan-made clothing. At outdoor food stalls called yatai. you will be able to try typical festival food.

We will meet again to walk to the historic Kamishichiken geisha district to learn about the process for creating a custom kimono at an elegant gallery.

Meal included today: Breakfast and lunch.                                       

Saturday, April 26

Kyoto

We will begin the day with a visit to the studio of an internationally known artist who has used the skills and techniques he learned as a traditional yuzen kimono painter to create original works for both wearables and wall pieces.  Later, we’ll have a hands-on experience of karakami, a woodblock printing techinique used to adorn sliding paper doors.



Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch.

Sunday, April 27

Kyoto

There is never enough free time in Kyoto! Some possibilities for today’s free day include stocking up on textile tools and supplies, yarns for weaving, exploring Kyoto’s kitchen, Nishiki market, an excursion by local train into the nearby hills to soak in an outdoor hot spring bath, take a hands-on workshop, contemplation in a serene and beautiful garden and downtown exploring.

We’ll gather for our farewell dinner.



Meal included today: Breakfast and dinner.

Monday, April 28

Depart for home

We will provide information and options for transferring to your departure airport, or to an onward destination if you are extending your trip.

Meals: Breakfast

Important Notes

The itinerary is subject to change: Since most of our visits are with friends and colleagues, we will work with their schedules when making reservations. We also will include seasonal and temporary exhibitions and events that will be announced closer to the tour dates.

Fitness: The best way to discover Kyoto is on foot. Please be prepared to walk 2-3 miles every day. Although we will set a leisurely pace, there will be stairs, stone steps, and uneven terrain. Floor sitting on cushions is the norm in Japan and although we will try to get a chair for you, it may not always be possible.

Dietary: Japanese people rarely discuss their dietary restrictions and so most restaurants are not used to accommodating special requests such as vegan and gluten free. If this applies to you, please contact us before registering. Allergies to shellfish and preferences for no red meat and poultry can usually be accommodated.  

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