Learn about Okan Arts’ 12-day Blue Japan Indigo Tour in October 2027 +here
By Patricia Belyea
BLUE JAPAN INDIGO TOUR :: OCT 2026
Twelve days of textile adventures took us from Kyoto’s historic streets to the indigo fields of Tokushima Prefecture. Along the way, we met inspiring artisans, tried traditional crafts, and discovered the many shades of Japan Blue.
Japanese Book-Binding
We made stab-stitched journals, with stenciled embellishments, to record our escapades. After a kaiseki Welcome Lunch, we explored Kyoto’s lively shopping arcades.
Miyama Indigo
We walked about Miyama, a mountain village of thatched-roof farmhouses surrounded by fields of flowering buckwheat. There we visited the Little Indigo Museum and met artisan Naoko Omae, who shared her work with natural indigo.
Koi Banner Dyeing
We painted our own koi wall hangings using a traditional brush-dyeing technique called shirushizome. A short walk away, we spent time in a historic samurai residence-turned-museum examining a remarkable collection of netsuke.
Watanabe Dye House
In Gujo Hachiman, the 15th-generation Watanabe family of koinobori dyers introduced us to basic shibori tying before we dipped our scarf projects into their antique indigo vats.
Benibana at Tezomeya
After touring Nijo Castle, we made pink dye from safflower petals to color shibori-stitched pouches at this natural-dyeing studio in Kyoto.
Kyōto-Ai Indigo
Indigo master Riku Matsuzaki showed his work reviving traditional Kyoto indigo before we patterned t-shirts with a tsutsugaki resist technique. After exploring nearby Ōharano Shrine with its deer guardians, we returned to the studio to dye our t-shirts.
AiAii Indigo Studio
In Sumoto, Sally Hancox and Junichi Okada welcomed us into their studio and told us stories about growing and working with natural indigo.
Watanabe Indigo Farm
In Tokushima Prefecture, Kenta Watanabe showed us his indigo farm — with a special barn for fermenting indigo leaves into sukumo — and his impressive dye studio We even met Kimiko, his helpful weed-eating goat!
Awagami Washi Factory
At this renowned paper making factory, we made our own washi, adding personal touches to each handmade sheet.
Kojima Jeans Street
In the birthplace of Japanese denim, some of us browsed the clothing boutiques. Others visited a salt merchant’s estate or the ancient stone arrangements at Anaba Inari-Jinja Shrine.
Kumihimo Braiding
Back in Kyoto, we used marudai — traditional round looms — to create our own silk-braided bracelets.
A Garden Farewell
On our final morning, we wandered around Shōsei-en Garden — a peaceful Kyoto retreat and a lovely ending to our journey.
Twelve Days :: Countless Memories
From generations-old dye houses to artisans bringing traditional techniques into the future, we experienced Japan’s indigo heritage through the people who keep it alive. We returned home with handmade treasures, new inspiration, and wonderful memories of Japan Blue.
Learn about Okan Arts’ 12-day Blue Japan Indigo Tour in October 2027 +here
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ABOUT US: Okan Arts, a petite family business, is co-owned by mother-daughter duo Patricia Belyea and Victoria Stone. Patricia and Victoria import vintage Japanese textiles, host in-person and online creative quilting experiences, and lead textile tours to Japan and the UK.
FOLLOW OKAN ARTS ON INSTAGRAM @okanarts
