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

This 15-day retreat immerses you in the vibrant craft traditions of Southern Japan — kasuri weaving, shibori, kakishibu dyeing, papermaking, and natural indigo — while leaving time to shop, wander, and breathe.

We will meet at The Basics Hotel in Fukuoka on May 2 so we can start early (after breakfast) on May 3rd. we will start the trip with a daytrip to Takachino Gorge, where we take a guided walking tour of Tokichino Gorge and enjoy a riverboat ride through its dramatic cliffs and emerald waters. This slow start sets the tone for the retreat — time to settle in, sketch, photograph, and connect with fellow travelers before our hands-on workshop days begin.

From Fukura, we travel to Yame (May 4-5), where participants rotate through the two-day Kasuri Weaving Apprenticeship at Sakata Orimono (with lodging at Orige Guest House included) and enjoy craft experiences such as tea culture, papermaking, indigo dyeing, and a guided walking tour of Yame’s historic town.

Next, we head to Oita and see Beppu (May 6-7), Japan’s famous hot spring town, for two nights of onsen relaxation and artisan arcade exploration.

We then travel to Tokushima/Naruto (May 8-12) for four nights at Makiko Tokunaga’s guesthouse, where we will enjoy shibori workshops, kakishibu dyeing sessions, and shared dinners.

A full day is dedicated to Awagami Papermaking Factory (bento lunch included).
Two days of private limo taxi transport take us to the Indigo Museum and artisan studios, where we meet craftspeople continuing centuries-old traditions.

Our final days take us to Hiroshima (optional guided Peace Park tour) and Naoshima Art Island (optional electric bike rentals and museum admissions), before concluding in Osaka (May 16-17) where we will spend a day at SAORI GLOBAL and then have time to explore Dotonbori and a farewell dinner.

✅ 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.

Southern Japan Textile Retreat

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