SOLD OUT To be on the Wait List email Patricia +here
12-day Tour :: Textile Treasures of Okinawa Tour
SUN February 15 to THU February 26, 2026
Tour Deposit: $1,750
Total Tour Cost: $11,950 Single Occupancy
Tour limited to 16 participants
Tour Leaders: Victoria Stone & Patricia Belyea, co-owners of Okan Arts
Japanese Travel Expert and Guide: Yumi Sugai
Welcome to a laid-back wonderland where traditional crafts are honored. Of the sixteen Okinawan crafts that are nationally designated, thirteen are related to weaving and dyeing. The warmth of the people, the unique culture of the land, and the stunning natural beauty of this paradise are calling you!
Beyond island living, you are busy with a plethora of hands-on activities—including a pottery session, a calligraphy class, and a three-morning dyeing workshop with a bingata master.
You stay for six nights at a waterfront hotel in Naha, the biggest city in Okinawa with a mix of modern urban vibes and deep-rooted Ryukyuan influences. Then you move north to a beachside resort in Nago to be close to nature and your next adventures.
ITINERARY
B=Breakfast L=Lunch T=Tea D=Dinner
DAY 1 Arrive at OKA | Transfer to Naha hotel
DAY 2 Okinawan Indigo Dyeing Workshop | Kariyushi Patchwork Workshop BD
DAY 3 Kasuri Weaving Workshop | Calligraphy Class B
DAY 4 Shi-sa Pottery Workshop | Yutanza Historical Museum BL
DAY 5 Day Trip to Kumejima: Tsumugi Weaving Workshop | Island Tour B
DAY 6 Shiyon Talk | Suikara Visit B
DAY 7 Hanaori Weaving Workshop | Southeast Botanical Gardens B
DAY 8 Bingata Dyeing Workshop (1) | Kouri Island BL
DAY 9 Bingata Dyeing Workshop (2) | Nakijin Castle Ruins B
DAY 10 Bingata Dyeing Workshop (3) | Churaumi Aquarium BD
DAY 11 Kijoka Bashofu Hall | Plantation Experience | Banananesia Visit BL
DAY 12 Fukushu-en Garden | Transfer to OKA B
NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change.
To read many blog posts about Okinawa +click here
Mobility
Okan Arts tours explore vibrant cities, rural areas, and artist studios so mobility is important. Japan is a country that tends to build up and stairs are a common feature. You will be welcomed into private homes and ateliers where seating may be limited or even on the floor.
To experience this tour to the fullest and keep up with the rest of the group, we request that you are able to:
Walk up to three miles throughout the day
Walk on rustic pathways and stairs, often with no handrails
Ascend and descend steep stairs with a handrail
Stand for 40 minutes to one hour (for presentations in small artisan ateliers)
Sit on the floor (not on your knees) for up to one hour
Food
Most traditional Japanese food is free of the common allergens of dairy and peanuts. However, on your trip to Japan we cannot guarantee allergen-free meals.
If you have severe allergies or food restrictions, please assess your comfort with eating in a different culture with a language barrier.
*Please note that if you have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance, most soy sauces —a common seasoning in Japanese foods— contain wheat.
Face Masks
Tour members may be asked to wear a face mask for some outdoor and indoor activities.
Tour Contract
Within 24 hours of paying your Deposit, you will receive the Tour Contract via email. You must return the completed and signed Tour Contract to Okan Arts within one week to finalize your tour booking.
Cancellation
Your Tour Deposit is non-refundable. That said, if you need to cancel and Okan Arts fills your place, you will receive a refund of your Tour Deposit less $175.
If your place is not filled, you will forfeit 100% of your Tour Deposit.
Okan Arts recommends that you purchase Comprehensive Travel Insurance with Trip Cancellation Coverage.
COVID-19
If your tour is canceled due to Japan closing its borders to travelers, a full refund will be made which constitutes a full settlement.
In the event of a tour cancellation, Okan Arts is not responsible for any additional expenses prepaid by you, such as airline tickets, passport fees, or visa fees.
With Okan Arts, you travel with like-minded textile and quilting enthusiasts who want to be inspired by the people, places, and traditions of Japan.
Okan Arts offers more than tailor-made itineraries and knowledgeable tour leaders—we care that all our travelers have an extraordinary experience!
YOUR TOUR LEADERS
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Included
Not Included
It was such a great experience and the group was very special. I had a wonderful time.
Lynn H - Aiea HI
The workshops were great — so was the food. I especially enjoyed the Kyoto hotel where we stayed. It was well-located; we could walk many places from there.
Toni B - San Francisco CA
Thank you for being flexible and doing side excursions.
Lily K - Aiea HI
I hope that others will be able to have the rich and rewarding Japan experience that I had!
Ellen M - Santa Cruz CA
I had such a memorable experience, one I’ll never forget. No drama. No negativity. All love and respect.
Jude S - Los Angeles, CA
I do feel lucky indeed, to have had the special opportunity to travel with Okan Arts to Japan.
Mary K - Chattanooga TN