All goods are one of a kind
All goods are one of a kind
All goods are one of a kind
All goods are one of a kind
All goods are one of a kind
All goods are one of a kind
All goods are one of a kind
Hand Dyed
Hand Painted
Hand Printed
shugo kyoto | fall 2026
October 19 - 28, 2026
a ten-day, art - centered retreat in kyoto, japan
embrace a new side of your creativity in japan
Join Denver-based textile artist Maki Teshima on a curated trip to Kyoto to learn about textile dyeing + Japanese craftsmanship, while experiencing Japan through the eyes of an artist! We will spend 10 days learning from the experts, engaging in hands-on workshops, and building cross-cultural community along the way.
During this trip, you will...
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Take a three-day indigo dyeing workshop with DRAW DOTS DAWN Studio in Kyoto, learning about Sukumo indigo compost (this is seasonal, and you can only see it in the fall!)
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Learn different craft techniques like shibori pattern-making and Katazome (resist paste) technique
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Take a two-day botanical dyeing workshop with X, a plant-dyeing expert of over 20 years.
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Take a cooking class with nutritionist and nurse Yukiko of Totonou Kitchen
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Visit a generations-old green tea farm, learn more about the leaf itself, and taste some delicious tea!
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Shopping in Kyoto City with a visit to the Toji Temple Flea Market
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Explore hand-picked, lesser-known shops, bookstores, and museums that highlight the arts + crafts of Kyoto
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Build lasting community with other creative folks!
What's included?
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All accommodations - we’ll be staying at a boutique, art-focused hotel in Kyoto. Each participant will have a small, private single room, and breakfast is included
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Group transportation costs throughout the trip
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All group meals, except meals on free days, alcoholic beverages, and personal snacks (dietary restrictions can generally be accommodated)
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All workshop fees and supplies, and of course, you’ll be able to take home all of the textiles and items you create!
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Payment for workshop facilitators and artist booking fees
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Research, guiding, and translation support provided by Maki and Niki
FAQs
Is my plane ticket included?
How do I get to Japan / meet with the group?
Airfare to and from Japan is not included in the trip cost. There are non-stop flights to Japan from most major US cities on most US carriers. We are partial to flying ANA (All Nippon Airways) which is in Star Alliance with United Airlines. If you’re unsure of how you’d like to get there, contact us for recommendations.
We will be meeting at the hotel on Oct 19th, as folks will be flying in from all over the world! Transportation from the airport to the hotel / hotel to the airport is not included in the price of admission. There is an express bus called the Limousine Bus that costs less than $20 USD from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station, so we recommend looking into that!
How many people are coming, and how do you curate the trip?
We're hoping to cap at eight! We wanted to keep our trip intimate and mobile, also because we are visiting small studios—we're honored to be invited in and want to be considerate.
We reserve the right to decline participation if a guest is unable to respectfully engage with Japanese culture, customs, or the group setting.
What if I have to cancel?
We understand that unexpected things happen that could prevent you from joining us on this trip
We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance, with cancellation and curtailment provisions, including medical provisions with specific clauses for Covid-19 issues.
What level of skill do I need to have to participate?
This trip is all about learning and exploring, so you don't need any particular level of skill to participate! Our workshop instructors expect us to have little to no experience—all you need to bring is an open mind, patience, and a positive attitude.
How active do I need to be?
This trip will involve a fair amount of walking, and we’ll also be using public transportation, which may require navigating stairs, stations, and some standing time. While you don’t need to be an athlete, you should be comfortable walking several miles a day at a relaxed pace. If you have mobility concerns, let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate!
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meet your
trip guides
Maki Teshima (she/her) is a botanical dye textile artist based in Denver, Colorado. Born and raised in Japan, she moved to the U.S. to study botanical drawing, painting, and printmaking at the Corcoran College of Art in Washington, D.C., the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the Textile Arts Center in New York City.
With a background in textile surface design, she has worked for major fashion brands, including Victoria’s Secret, Uniqlo, and Free Assembly. Today, she shows her textile art works throughout many art spaces, shares her expertise by teaching natural dyeing workshops in diverse community spaces such as hair salons and flower shops, as well as prestigious institutions.
For this special Kyoto tour, Maki brings her deep knowledge of botanical dyeing and her passion for cross-cultural exchange. Through hands-on workshops, she will guide participants in discovering the beauty of natural colors while fostering a meaningful dialogue between Japan and the U.S. on traditional dyeing techniques.
Niki Robins (she/her) is a chef, community creator, and artist. She runs Watanabe Kitchen (@watanabe_kitchen), a Denver-based small business offering postpartum meals, private meal prepping, and catering. Drawing from her bicultural background, Niki alchemizes her love through cooking and is particularly passionate about how food plays a role in storytelling and cultural preservation. She tries her best to return to Japan twice a year to see family and friends, and is so excited to be helping Maki out with this trip!
meet your
INSTRUCTORS
Naoto Nishimura
Founder of Draw Dots Dawn Studio & Farm/ Sukumo Indigo Dyer
Naoto is a skilled sukumo indigo dyer and the founder of Draw Dots Dawn. After apprenticing under a master sukumo maker and indigo dyer in Tokushima—Japan’s most renowned region for indigo cultivation and sukumo production—he returned to Kyoto to establish his own indigo dyeing studio. His studio is located in Fushimi, built within his grandmother’s traditional Japanese house.
This October, Naoto will offer a rare opportunity to experience the full cycle of sukumo indigo dyeing. Participants will engage in harvesting fresh indigo leaves and learn about the intricate composting process that transforms them into sukumo—one of the most revered and traditional forms of indigo dye. This hands-on experience provides an insight into Japan’s deep indigo heritage.
Haruna Matsumoto
Botcanical Dyeing Artist/ Instructor at Nonohana Academy
Haruna was introduced to natural dyeing at a very young age since her mother is a natural dye artist, which greatly influenced her creative path.
She studied fashion and art in high school and later majored in textiles at university. After graduating, she worked for six years at a textile company specializing in fabric production.
By 2013, she started exhibiting and selling naturally dyed knitwear and scarves at department stores and galleries.
In 2015, she founded the Nohana Natural Dyeing Academy, where she offers courses ranging from basic to advanced levels. Through the academy, she has been training new natural dyeing instructors every year.
The second stop of dyeing workshop at the Nonohana Academy. We’re on a thrilling adventure to discover unique plants that we’ll use to create stunning dyes together!
Yutaka Obuchi
Yutaka na Iro Founder / Textile Artist / Earth Color Creator
With 17 years of experience as a craftsman at "Koshoku no Bi," Japan’s only manufacturer of bengara (natural iron oxide pigment), Obuchi became independent and founded Yutaka na Iro. His daily work involves grinding pigments with a mortar and creating colors from soil for dyeing fibers.
Utilizing traditional dyeing techniques such as shibori (tie-dye) and the dyeing of yukata and obi (summer kimono), he creates both textile art and stage designs. Through his workshops, he shares the true natural Japanese colors and dyeing traditions.
He has held exhibitions and solo art shows across Japan and internationally, including Taiwan, the UK, and, most recently, a well-received solo exhibition in New York City in 2023. Yutaka will come to Kyoto from Osaka so we can hold his workshops. Which kind of patterns do you want to create with him?
