Kurume Kasuri Tour by Fukuoka Now (just 20 seats – book soon!)
Nov. 10, 2019 (Sun.)
English Speaking Guide – for the entire trip!
Only ¥4,000 per person! – details below.
At the turn of the 18th century, a young 12-year-old girl called Den Inoue devised a method of textile production that involved dyeing material before starting the weaving process. This technique has been used to create Kurume kasuri and other cotton textiles in the Chikugo region ever since. The final product is cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and extremely comfortable on the skin, making it ideal for daily life. However, the production process is quite time-consuming and involves 30 stages, which are carried out across a three-month period.
The annual Kurume Kasuri Discovery Tour by Fukuoka Now will take place during the Chikugo Village Kasuri Open House event which takes place in the area where Kurume kasuri originated. The event is held twice a year. Seven studios that produce Kurume kasuri will be open to the public, allowing participants to learn more about the indigo dyeing and weaving processes, while taking in the surrounding countryside.
This tour includes a traditional Japanese kaiseki style lunch. We will also visit a nearby persimmon orchard and pick some fruit. Join us and experience the beauty and charm of Kurume at the beginning of the autumn season, with the leaves about to turn red!
Persimmon Picking
Fukuoka Prefecture is one of the leading persimmon producing areas in Japan. People often say that they can see autumn scenery reflected in the reddish orange color of this delicious fruit. We’ll stop by an orchard for fruit picking. Taste the fruit in the field or purchase some to take home!
Lunch at Waka
Then we’ll enjoy a tasty Japanese (kaiseki style) lunch made with local and fresh ingredients at restaurant Waka.
Kasuri workshop tour and indigo dyeing experience
Enjoy free time to join the Chikugo Village Kasuri Open House to see natural indigo dyeing and weaving processes up close at local Kurume kasuri studios. And at Ikeda Kasuri Kobo, a studio with over 100 years of history, everyone will design and dye their own bandanna. It’s yours to keep!
Itinerary
8:45 Meeting time
9:00 Depart by chartered bus from Tenjin (in front of the Bank of Japan)
10:25~11:30 Persimmon picking
12:20~13:30 Japanese kaiseki style lunch at Waka (non-vegetarian)
14:00~16:30 Chikugo Village Kasuri Open House and indigo dyeing experience
17:30 Arrive at Tenjin
Participation fee: ¥4,000/person and includes lunch, natural indigo dyeing workshop to make your very own cotton bandana, entry to all venues, chartered bus transportation to and from Tenjin, and an English speaking guide.
Why so inexpensive?
The cost of this tour has been drastically reduced, in return for cooperation by tour participants with a short written survey to be conducted on the bus on the way back to Tenjin. Information gathered will be used by tourism related offices to promote the areas visited on this tour in the future. The surveys are anonymous. Note: photos from the tour may appear on the Fukuoka Now website, SNS and elsewhere. The ¥4,000 participation fee only covers the cost of the lunch, entrance fees and workshop fees. Transportation, the guide and other parts are included in the participation fee, so this is a great value.
SOLD OUT
Thank you for your interest in this tour but unfortunately, all seats have been reserved. Check our website and SNS for future tours!
Meanwhile, check out photos from the Kurume Kasuri Discovery Tour held on Nov. 2018 here!
