26 January – 10 February 2026 – SOLD OUT
23 February – 10 March 2026 – SOLD OUT
4 – 19 November 2026 – SOLD OUT
18 January – 2 February 2027 – APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON
22 February – 9 March 2027 – APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON
Japan Blue tour with retreat|recreate has been just fantastic, enabling me to meet artisans and have experiences that I could never have accessed on my own. Susan and Akiko supported our lovely group so well. It felt like they have built authentic local relationships with those we visited. So it felt like responsible, respectful tourism where we could share in the joy of everything indigo and learn from these people, young and old, rural and urban, through some great hands-on workshops, presentations, conversations and exhibitions, while also enjoying Japanese landscape, food, culture … and shopportunities too! MJ – Japan Blue 2024
retreat|recreate is delighted to present this small group (12 women) indigo focussed exploration of Japan.
Come, get your hands blue with us in multiple private hands-on indigo and mud dye experiences, learn the process of making sukumo (the Japanese ‘compost method’ of making indigo), explore resist dyeing techniques including katazome (rice paste), kasuri (Japanese ikat) and shibori!
Engage with indigo farmers, ‘National Living Treasure’ artisans, young innovative practitioners, artists, experts and collectors. Be inspired by incredible design and craftsmanship, visit specialist indigo museums and studios, enjoy artisan talks, and shop (if you wish) for amazing indigo textiles and handcrafts. In addition to numerous hands on experiences with Japanese indigo vats, you’ll experience shibori, needlework, kauri and katazome techniques used in conjunction with indigo dyeing, learn about dyeing washi paper with indigo, explore botanical (cherry blossom) dyeing and the intricate art of Oshima Tsumugi, and experience traditional Ryukyu islands mud dyeing. We’ll begin in beautiful Kyoto, and cover Japan’s indigo growing region of Tokushima, the weaving town of Kurume, then head to Fukuoka and the Amami islands (part of the Ryukyu islands chain) before finishing up in Osaka.
Come with us and experience traditional Japanese culture and hospitality, all in the company of a small group of likeminded textile and indigo enthusiasts.
IMPORTANT: the January 2027 tour will be fully escorted by our experienced local Japanese English-speaking guide and retreat|recreate host Susan Rees-Osborne. The February/March 2027 will be escorted by the Japanese guide only.
If you want to fully immerse yourself into the world of indigo and everything this involves, this is the perfect tour for you. The attention to detail was carefully planned. The artisans we visited are masters in their field. I felt honoured to meet them and be in their presence. The hands-on workshops (of which there are many) are also a highlight. Great value for money. I cannot recommend this tour more highly. Japan Blue, you have my heart! – Karen – Japan Blue 2024
PLEASE READ:
- to participate in this tour you must be able to squat or kneel over a vat for periods of time. While some dye vats are conveniently at waist level, many of them are buried in the ground;
- you must be able to sit on the floor for studio presentations and some meals;
- you will stay at accommodations where the bed is a thin futon on a tatami mat;
- you will stay at accommodations where baths and showers are communal (hot springs bath);
- you may encounter the occasional squat toilet;
- this itinerary is the result of much painstaking research and careful curation, and we expect that within reason, everyone in the group participates fully. If you intend to take days off to go shopping or pursue your own interests, we ask that you reconsider your application. Our tours have long waitlists, filled with people who would love to participate in all the wonderful activities on our tours. If you wish to do your own thing, please plan some pre and/or post tour days for your own independent exploration;
- this tour is for active, curious, tolerant and cheerful travellers who enjoy being part of a group, and have an enthusiasm to learn about Japanese culture, textiles and indigo.
The Japan Blue tour introduced us to places and studios that we would never have accessed on our own. Each studio visit and hands on workshop built upon the previous experience providing participants with an amazing body of knowledge and experience that covered all aspects of indigo production. Liz – Japan Blue 2026
Susan and retreat|recreate have put together such a fabulous itinerary of all things indigo in Japan. The smooth organisation, variety and breadth of workshops was second to none. Visits to the studios of master craftspeople were such a privileged and beautiful experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to go on another tour. Pamela – Japan Blue 2026
Japan Blue 2024 is the third tour I have taken with retreat|recreate and like the previous two it did not disappoint. A tour based around indigo in all its past, present and hopefully future form, we were introduced to ‘National Living Treasure’ artisans, community groups keen to share simple methods of indigo dyeing and internationally renowned artists. The included workshops were always fun and resulted in a gorgeous take home bundle of scarves and bandanas, each a little different from the other. Visits to Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion temple and a leisurely couple of hours in the Jeans St of Kojima were among the activities that added variety to this tour. As always I would encourage anyone who enjoys textiles, the company of fellow textile lovers and the opportunity to travel hassle free on well-organised and curated tour to sign up – you won’t be disappointed. Kim – Japan Blue 2024
The access we obtained to the artisans and authorities and the success of our visits is clearly attributable to the goodwill and reputation of retreat|recreate and its Japanese partners, and to the good relationships they have formed with the people we visited. Akiko and Susan are stars 🙂 Warm personalities, friendly, calm and efficient, a good working partnership. Barbara – Japan Blue 2024
The carefully researched and curated inaugural Japan Blue tour was absolutely the experience of a lifetime! Thorough ground work plus the gracious leadership and enthusiasm of retreat|recreate host and the local guide enabled our small group of passionate textile and indigo enthusiasts to gain a deep understanding of aizome (Japanese indigo dyeing). From fields, through fermentation, to dyeing and buying, we were able to meet extraordinary artisans, dye cloth in centuries-old vats and workshops and gain a deep appreciation for Japan’s indigo culture. Each of our group returned home with gorgeous indigo textiles whether flea market finds, remnants or small bundles of deep blue heaven. Deepest thanks to retreat|recreate for making this first indigo tour a vibrant reality. Louise – Japan Blue 2019
What incredible, thoughtful, well-rounded adventures the two Susans lovingly offer time and time again! It’s a lovely way to travel – the perfect number of like-minded textile lovers and just the right mix of local delights, cultural immersion and discovery. Thank you! Roz – Japan Blue 2019
The Japan Blue Tour 2023 was the most amazing experience and a trip of a lifetime! I have so many fond memories of this trip and it is impossible to pick a highlight as every day was a delight. The itinerary was meticulously researched and organised by Susan Rees-Osborne and our local guide Akiko. There was a wonderful mix of artist studio visits, indigo dyeing workshops, indigo farm visits, gallery and museum visits as well as cultural sites, beautiful gardens and flea markets. My knowledge and understanding of indigo has been enhanced, thanks to the artisans, dyers and weavers that we met on this trip. All the accommodation was of a very high standard and in great central locations. The lunches and dinners that were included were delicious and truly memorable. It was lots of fun travelling around with a group of like-minded, textiles and indigo obsessed women. I would highly recommend joining a tour with retreat|recreate. Carly – Japan Blue 2023
I recently had the pleasure of attending the outstanding Japan Blue Tour with retreat|recreate, and I can’t say enough about the transformative experience it provided. From the breathtaking natural surroundings to the thoughtful and engaging activities, this tour was a true journey of wonder and self-discovery. The highlight for me was the opportunity to connect with like-minded women who quickly became friends. The sense of community fostered was truly special, every moment felt meaningful and enriching. The trip also featured incredible workshops and visiting experts who shared their knowledge and their stories, from young generations to National Living Treasures. I can’t recommend this retreat enough to anyone seeking to learn and experience everything about Japan, Indigo, Japanese culture and so much more…. It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m grateful for the memories and personal growth it provided. I can’t wait for my next tour with retreat|recreate! Tatiana – Japan Blue 2023
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