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COME TO OKINAWA WITH US!

October 2025 & May 2026 - REGISTRATION OPEN!

This tour is held entirely in Okinawa, the southern islands of Japan, formerly the Ryukyu Kingdom. The culture there is a little different from the more traditional Japanese culture we experience in Kyoto, and the textiles are just as fascinating. On our tour, you'll learn about bingata (stencil dye), kasuri (fuzzy weaving), bashofu (banana fiber weaving), and ujizome (sugar cane dye) and get just a glimpse into the history and culture of these tropical islands. You'll meet traditional artisans, try your hand at these techniques, and enjoy the slower pace of this less-traveled part of Japan.

Meet in Osaka (airfare to/from Japan is on your own) and we'll fly to Naha for all five nights. We encourage our guests to arrive early and/or extend their stay to visit Kyoto or explore other parts of Japan. Maximum group size is ten members.

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Itinerary Activities

  • Two textile workshops - try your hand at a traditional technique
  • Five artisan studio visits - an intimate glimpse
  • Selected heritage sites

How Much is it?

$2600 ($500 deposit and the balance due by July 22nd) This does not include airfare or airport transfers - but we're happy to help with suggestions.

What's Included?

  • Domestic flights between Osaka and Naha
  • Five nights at a western-style hotel
  • Single occupancy room with private bath
  • All workshop, tour activities, and entrance fees
  • Breakfast every day, lunch on tour days
  • Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinner
  • Transportation during the tour
  • Professional Japanese guides
Click here to view our general tour itinerary

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CAUTION!

This trip is not for everyone. If you're flexible, healthy, eager to visit Japan, and normally not inclined to travel in groups (but welcome the chance to meet like-minded others) - this trip could be what you've been waiting for. If you have dietary restrictions, physical limitations, or a low tolerance for the unfamiliar, this may not the right trip for you.

While we do try to accommodate food preferences, we are not able to guarantee meals that are vegan, gluten-free, or MSG-free, so we may not be able to accept guests with severe food sensitivities.

Guests will be asked to prepare for the trip and to conduct themselves in ways that may sometimes be a challenge:

  • Balance: able to get up and down for floor seating
  • Mealtime: able to eat with chopsticks and have no strict dietary/allergy issues
  • Cultural Awareness: become knowledgeable about Japanese customs and etiquette, able to handle basic greetings, counting, and polite speech
  • Group participation: be punctual, flexible, compassionate, attentive, and respectful of group dynamics

Watch to learn more about the tour

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SIGN UP FOR YOUR TEXTILE TOUR

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2025 October Textile Tour to Okinawa DEPOSIT

Come with us in October 2025!

$500.00
$500.00 $500.00
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

Paying the deposit reserves a slot on our October 2025 Okinawa Tour. Your reservation will be finalized after a chat with Nancy - she'll contact you to arrange a time after your deposit is received. 

The tour begins in Osaka on October 22nd and ends with a return flight to Osaka on October 27th.  (We encourage you to spend time before or after the tour in or around Kyoto/Osaka!) Included are:

-5 nights single room accommodation in Naha
-5 artisan studio visits
-2 hands-on workshops
-all breakfasts and lunches
-Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinner
-all transportation, activity fees, and local guide
-Concierge assistance (pre-trip and during the tour)

The total trip cost is $2600 (excludes airfare to/from Japan but includes domestic flight from Osaka to Naha). The $2100 balance is due by check or money order by June 22nd, 2025

REFUND POLICY:
75% back for cancellations made before May 22, 2025
50% back for cancellations made before September 22, 2025
No refunds for cancellations made after September 22,2025
Participants are expected to get traveler's insurance. 

To review what is and isn't included, click here to go to the general Okinawa Textile Tour Info Page.

Comfort Level

The hotel is western-style, modern, and conveniently located. You'll have a private room with bath, but the rooms are small. The meals will be authentic, local, and plentiful, but you'll need to be able to eat with chopsticks and be open to trying new foods. You'll get to know Kyoto from an ex-pat's and textile-lover's perspective, and we'll do whatever we can to help you feel comfortable heading out on your free days to pursue your own adventures. The focus of the trip will be to enjoy Kyoto at a reasonable pace -- it's impossible to see or do it all, so being in good spirits and well-rested allows you to enjoy what can be seen and done in the short time you're there.

Payments

A $500 deposit reserves your spot, which would only be confirmed after a phone chat with Nancy to discuss the trip and share expectations or concerns. The balance is due by check (no online payments) in two installments (six and three months prior to departure).

Refund Policy

75% back for cancellations made at least six months in advance, 50% for cancellations made at least three months in advance, and 25% for cancellations made at least one month in advance.

If Kyoto Kimono has to cancel (under unsafe or travel ban circumstances), refund amounts would be issued minus any unrecoverable expenses already paid (up to 5% of your payment). More likely, we would reschedule the tour rather than cancel altogether. Participants are encouraged to purchase travel insurance, and we highly recommend getting coverage not only for your flight and medical treatment but also to cover a full refund in case of cancellation.
1 -12

2026 May Textile Tour to Okinawa DEPOSIT

Come with us in May 2026!

$500.00
$500.00 $500.00
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

Paying the deposit reserves a slot on our May 2026 Okinawa Tour. Your reservation will be finalized after a chat with Nancy - she'll contact you to arrange a time after your deposit is received. 

The tour begins in Osaka on May 22nd and ends with a return flight to Osaka on May 27th.  (We encourage you to spend time before or after the tour in or around Kyoto/Osaka!) Included are:

-5 nights single room accommodation in Naha
-5 artisan studio visits
-2 hands-on workshops
-all breakfasts and lunches
-Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinner
-all transportation, activity fees, and local guide
-Concierge assistance (pre-trip and during the tour)

The total trip cost is $2600 (excludes airfare to/from Japan but includes domestic flight from Osaka to Naha). The $2100 balance is due by check or money order by December 22nd, 2025

REFUND POLICY:
75% back for cancellations made before October 22, 2025
50% back for cancellations made before January 22, 2026
No refunds for cancellations made after January 22,2026
Participants are expected to get traveler's insurance. 

To review what is and isn't included, click here to go to the general Okinawa Textile Tour Info Page.

Comfort Level

The hotel is western-style, modern, and conveniently located. You'll have a private room with bath, but the rooms are small. The meals will be authentic, local, and plentiful, but you'll need to be able to eat with chopsticks and be open to trying new foods. You'll get to know Kyoto from an ex-pat's and textile-lover's perspective, and we'll do whatever we can to help you feel comfortable heading out on your free days to pursue your own adventures. The focus of the trip will be to enjoy Kyoto at a reasonable pace -- it's impossible to see or do it all, so being in good spirits and well-rested allows you to enjoy what can be seen and done in the short time you're there.

Payments

A $500 deposit reserves your spot, which would only be confirmed after a phone chat with Nancy to discuss the trip and share expectations or concerns. The balance is due by check (no online payments) in two installments (six and three months prior to departure).

Refund Policy

75% back for cancellations made at least six months in advance, 50% for cancellations made at least three months in advance, and 25% for cancellations made at least one month in advance.

If Kyoto Kimono has to cancel (under unsafe or travel ban circumstances), refund amounts would be issued minus any unrecoverable expenses already paid (up to 5% of your payment). More likely, we would reschedule the tour rather than cancel altogether. Participants are encouraged to purchase travel insurance, and we highly recommend getting coverage not only for your flight and medical treatment but also to cover a full refund in case of cancellation.