Would you like to experience traditional indigo dyeing during your trip to Japan? Of course, there are facilities throughout Japan where you can experience indigo dyeing. We recommend Watanabe Somemono in Gujo Hachiman. This store has been preserving traditional indigo dyeing for over 400 years since the early Edo period.
At Watanabe Somemono, visitors can actually dye stoles and other items with indigo in the traditional way. Indigo dyeing takes about 3 hours. The fee is 10,000 yen per person, and the experience is available for a minimum of two people. You can take home your own dyed items on the same day. While the store staff prepares them, you can take a walk around Gujo Hachiman town.
Reservations are required for the indigo dyeing experience at Watanabe Somemono. Please check the business days and make a reservation before visiting.
How to get Gujo Hachiman?
Gujo Hachiman is a mountain castle town located between Nagoya and Takayama. There is also a train, but it is significantly inconvenient and not recommended. To reach Gujo Hachiman on your own, take the highway bus from Nagoya or Takayama.
If you need us to, we can offer a tour that includes an indigo dyeing experience. We can arrange a one-day tour from Takayama or Nagoya. Or you can stop by on your way between Takayama and Nagoya. Gujo Hachiman is a charming town, and you can spend a whole day there with or without the indigo dyeing experience.
From Osaka or Kyoto, if you can come to Gifu Hashima Station by Shinkansen, we can drive you the rest of the way. From Tokyo, a day trip is not impossible, but it will be very tight.
Are you interested in traveling Japan starting from Nagoya? We are a group of travel agencies and travel guides in and around Nagoya, Japan. Please feel free to contact us through the link below to discuss tours from Nagoya.
