Kyushu • Fukuoka • Tokushima • Hiroshima • Art Island

May 2027 · Curated by Aya Fiber Studio- Note- the actual dates of this journey are subject to change once actual confirmations are received- FINAL DATES will be determined by June 2026

15 Days | Small Group | Deep Cultural Immersion
Deposit: $700 (Nonrefundable)
Estimated Cost: $4,000–$5,000 USD (excludes airfare & rail pass)

I’m thrilled to invite you on an exclusive, small-group adventure through Japan—a thoughtfully curated Textile & Indigo Tour designed especially for fiber artists and creative souls. This is not your typical tourist itinerary, but rather a rich, hands-on journey into Japan’s deep-rooted textile traditions, natural dye practices, and vibrant contemporary craft culture.

Together, we’ll travel across Southern Japan, from the historic streets of Fukuoka to the thermal springs of Beppu, the craft villages of Kyushu, and the artist islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Our path is designed to immerse you in the techniques, spirit, and beauty of Japanese indigo dyeing and textile artistry.

🌊 Southern Japan Textile Retreat

✨ Innovation & Flow
Tentative Dates: May 3 – May 17, 2027
Presented by Aizome Studio | Suzanne Connors

Trip Overview

Indigo & Island Traditions
A Textile Journey Through Kyushu, Shikoku, and the Inland Sea

May 3 – May 17, 2027
Arrival: Fukuoka – May 2
Departure: Osaka – May 17

This journey explores the quieter landscapes of southern Japan, where textile traditions, craft villages, and island cultures continue to shape the rhythm of daily life.

Beginning in Fukuoka on the northern coast of Kyushu, participants gather before traveling into the surrounding countryside to experience the landscapes and cultural traditions that have long inspired Japanese craft. A visit to the dramatic cliffs and waterfalls of Takachiho Gorge introduces the region's natural beauty before we begin our exploration of the craft traditions that define this part of Japan.

Our first craft destination is the historic town of Yame, known for its deep connections to traditional crafts and tea culture. Staying at the Indigo Craft Inn in the preserved merchant district, we spend two days working with local artisans. Participants will experience Kurume Kasuri weaving, one of Japan’s most beloved indigo cotton textiles, learning the intricate resist-dye techniques used to create its softly patterned cloth.

We will also explore several of Yame’s village workshops, where small family studios continue practices such as lantern making, bamboo craft, handmade paper, and tea traditions.

From Yame we travel through the mountains to Onta Pottery Village, a remarkable community where families have produced ceramics for centuries using traditional methods that remain largely unchanged. After exploring the village’s workshops and wood-fired climbing kilns, we continue on to the famous hot spring town of Beppu, where the evening offers time to experience Japan’s renowned onsen culture.

Crossing the Seto Inland Sea, the journey continues through landscapes where art, craft, and island culture meet. In Hiroshima, we visit the sacred island of Miyajima and its iconic torii gate rising from the water before traveling to Naoshima, the celebrated art island where contemporary architecture and installations exist in quiet dialogue with the surrounding sea.

From the Inland Sea, we arrive in Tokushima, the historic center of Japan’s indigo culture. Here we begin a five-day residency with textile artist Makiko-san, staying together in her guesthouse in Naruto. During this time, participants immerse themselves in shibori resist techniques while working with traditional natural indigo vats.

The Tokushima residency also introduces other important regional traditions. We visit the renowned Awagami Paper Factory, where artisans continue the centuries-old craft of handmade washi paper. At the Awa Indigo Museum we explore the agricultural and cultural history of indigo that once made this region famous throughout Japan. Participants will also experience a workshop using kakishibu, a traditional persimmon tannin dye historically used to strengthen and protect textiles.

The journey concludes in Osaka, where participants experience SAORI weaving, a contemporary Japanese weaving philosophy that celebrates creativity and personal expression through cloth.

Throughout the journey, there will also be time to explore historic streets, craft shops, markets, and island landscapes. Travel unfolds at a thoughtful pace, allowing space to absorb the traditions, environments, and people that continue to shape Japan’s living craft culture.

This is more than a tour — it is an opportunity to experience the processes, landscapes, and communities that sustain Japanese textile traditions today.

✅ What’s Included

• First night Tokyo hotel (group meet & greet)
• Core Experiences & Workshops:
  • Fukura overnight, Tokichino Gorge walking tour, and morning riverboat ride
  • Two-day Kasuri Weaving Apprenticeship (88,000 yen pp) including Orige lodging
  • Tea culture, papermaking, and indigo sessions (Yame)
  • Shibori Workshops & Kakishibu Dyeing with Makiko Tokunaga
  • Awagami Papermaking Day (bento lunch included)
  • Visits to the Indigo Museum and artisan studios
• Group Transportation:
  • Local buses & taxis to craft villages and workshops
  • Two days of private limo taxi service in Tokushima

🚄 Not Included

• Rail transportation (participants purchase their own JR tickets or JR Pass for Tokyo → Fukura, Fukura → Yame, Yame → Beppu, Beppu → Tokushima, Tokushima → Hiroshima, Hiroshima → Osaka, Osaka → Tokyo)
• Lodging beyond first Tokyo night (recommendations provided near train stations, ~$120/night pp) except those included with workshops (8 nights)
• Meals (except breakfasts and those included with lodging/workshops)
• Optional add-ons (tea ceremony, Hiroshima guided tour, Naoshima bike rentals, museum entries)

✨ Designed for Artists, Created for Connection

This trip is not a fully guided tour, but a “travel with me” experience—perfect for adventurous, flexible creatives who want a blend of planned workshops and personal discovery days. You’ll receive a full itinerary with recommended accommodations, and you’ll have the freedom to pick and choose from the à la carte activities based on your interest and energy.

Please note: You must be physically fit and prepared for long walking days (10,000–17,000 steps), stairs, and slopes. This is a fast-paced, immersive journey—you’ll see and do a lot!

👥 Who Should Apply? A Friendly Heads-Up

This trip isn’t for everyone — and that’s okay! If you’re flexible, healthy, genuinely excited about exploring Japan, and usually prefer to travel on your own but like the idea of connecting with a small group of like-minded folks, this could be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

If, on the other hand, you have strict dietary needs, physical limitations, or get uncomfortable when things are unfamiliar, this might not be the best fit — and that’s okay too.

We do our best to accommodate different food preferences, but it’s important to know that we can’t guarantee meals that are vegan, gluten-free, or MSG-free. Because of that, we may not be able to host travelers with serious food sensitivities.

To make sure everyone has the best experience possible, guests should be prepared to:

• Balance: Be comfortable getting up and down from floor seating.
• Mealtime: Eat with chopsticks and not have major dietary restrictions or allergies.
• Cultural Awareness: Be curious about Japanese customs and etiquette — and up for learning a few basic greetings, numbers, and polite phrases.
• Group Spirit: Show up on time, stay flexible, be kind and patient, and help create a positive group vibe.
• Be interviewed (in person or via Zoom): to ensure the group dynamic stays positive, open, and drama-free. This is essential to preserving the joyful spirit of our journey—no “Debbie Downers,” please! ✨

If that all sounds like your kind of adventure — welcome aboard!

This is a small, intimate group experience, open only to:

• Former Aya Fiber Studio students, OR
• Those planning to spend at least one week with me in the studio before the trip
  All applicants will be interviewed to ensure the group dynamic stays positive, open, and drama-free. This is essential to preserving the joyful spirit of our journey—no “Debbie Downers,” please! ✨

📅 Important Dates:

• Nonrefundable deposit ($700) secures your spot
• Final payment due 60 days before departure: March 2027
• Final cost may adjust based on 2027 exchange rates and inflation

Let’s explore indigo’s soul together—its rich history, its artisans, and its place in Japan’s culture. This trip is a rare opportunity to go far beyond the tourist trail and enter the world of master dyers, textile innovators, and sacred traditions.

If you’re ready for a life-changing journey through Japan’s creative heart, I can’t wait to travel with you.

👉 To express interest or reserve your place, email me directly or contact Aya Fiber Studio.
Spaces are extremely limited.