retreat|recreate KYOTO SASHIKO INTENSIVE
Sashiko.1 :: 26 – 31 October 2026
Sashiko.2 :: 2-7 November 2026
Welcome to your 5 night/6 day Sashiko Intensive workshop in Kyoto!
This private page is just for confirmed members of the two sashiko workshop groups; and is not searchable from the home page. Please do not share this page or documents with others.
This page comprises the following documents:
- Itinerary (as at 18 January)
- To Do List
- Travel Details form
- Booking Conditions
We hope you enjoy our deep dive into this traditional Japanese handcraft with renowned sashiko artist Kazue from SASHIKO.LAB in her beautiful Kyoto atelier. A week of half-day sashiko classes (Monday to Friday) will allow you to fully immerse yourself in this exquisite craft. You’ll learn the origins of sashiko, various methods and techniques, how to create and transfer your own patterns to cloth, and tips for deepening and improving your stitching skills.
NOTES
Kyoto Craft Tour: the week also includes a guided 2.5 hour Kyoto Craft [walking] Tour, as your teacher takes you to her favourite Kyoto textile and thread stores. We’ll take taxis to the first destination (taxi cost is included as part of your workshop price), spend two and a half hours under the teacher’s guidance, then you will be free to continue exploring and shopping, and return to the hotel either on foot or you an take a taxi at your own cost. Note that this walking tour will be on Day 2 for group 1 and Day 4 for group 2.
Optional kintsugi jewellery private workshop: Details will follow at a later date so please keep an eye on this page. Note that this workshop will be on Day 4 for group 1, and Day 2 for group 2.
Getting to the hotel:
The hotel is Urban Hotel Kyoto. Link to the hotel website is HERE
There are directions on the hotel’s website for how to get there from both of the Osaka airports. We can also suggest the following options:
1. Arrange your own private transfer. Two companies you may wish to use are:
NearMe website: LINK HERE or Airport Taxi Transfers website: LINK HERE
2. Take the train. Both Itami and Kansai airports have train services. See the hotel website for directions, or get off at Kyoto station and take a taxi/Uber from there.
3. Take a taxi/Uber (1 hour 20 minutes drive from Kansai airport, or 45 minutes from Itami airport)
4. Take the Limousine Bus from the airport (see hotel website, or limousine bus website HERE)
Flea markets:
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine market – 25 October
Toji Temple flea market – 21st October and 1 November
Other Notes:
- the workshops will be held in English;
- there are no Trip Notes for these workshops. The workshop is not a retreat|recreate guided tour, and as such it does not feature our usual services like airport transfers, nor any group activities outside the workshop sessions, nor can we offer optional extension excursions;
- This workshop is suited to independent, able travellers. There will not be a Japanese guide with you, and there are no planned sightseeing excursions apart from the walking craft tour hosted by the sashiko teacher. The times outside the scheduled workshop hours are mostly free time to explore at your own leisure. The group may choose to explore or dine together, or may not. It’s up to the group and individuals;
- our local Japan team will be available for 24 emergency support if required. The phone number for assistance will be pinned at the top of the WhatsApp chat, and on this page, closer to departure;
- retreat|recreate host Susan Rees-Osborne will attend Sashiko.1 each day, and will attend Sashiko.2 on Day 1, and potentially Day 2 if need be;
- we can assist with a couple of days of pre and/or post tour accommodation at Urban Hotel Kyoto, subject to availability. Please make the request on your Travel Details form,
- the Travel Details form submission date is: 27 June
- the final payment due date is: 27 July.
retreat | recreate 