SHUGO TOUR 2026 | Kyoto Art Trip

shugo kyoto | fall 2026

October 19 - 29, 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...

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 this process in the fall!)
Learn different craft techniques like shibori pattern-making
Take a one-day botanical dyeing workshop with Tezome-Ya, a plant-dyeing expert & beloved shop of over 20 years
Take a one-day Mokuhanga woodblock printing workshop at Takesaza Do
Take a one-day accordion bookbinding workshop at Matsuda Seihon with 83-year-old master craftsman,Tsutomu Matsuda
Green Tea ceremony at beautiful renovated machi-ya house in Kyoto
Have fun cultural experiences like an optional visit to an authentic Ninja Dojo, shopping at Toji Temple Flea Market, and exploring hand-picked, lesser-known shops, bookstores, and museums that highlight the arts + crafts of Kyoto
Build lasting community with other creative folks!

This experience is designed for people who appreciate...

Ceremonial traditions + the intricacies of delicate and intentional craft
Meaningful demonstrations + collaborative creating
Off-the-beaten-path activities and experiences
Trying new things and meeting new people!

What's included?

All accommodations - we’ll be staying at a boutique hotel in Kyoto. Each participant will have a small, private single room, and breakfast is included
Group transportation costs throughout the trip
All group meals, except meals on free days, alcoholic beverages, and personal snacks (dietary restrictions can generally be accommodated)
All workshop fees and supplies, and of course, you’ll be able to take home all of the textiles and items you create!
Payment for workshop facilitators and artist booking fees
Research, guiding, and translation support provided by Maki + Niki
Special custom-made guidebook & Google map provided

Deposit Cost: $1,500

Total Tour Cost: $6,000

*You can compare our tour to...

another textile tour in Kyoto

here's what last year's participants had to say...

"This trip was superlative. I credit the quality of the two people who organized it. Their commitment to providing a quality experience was abundantly evident, and their energy and enthusiasm pin roviding personal attention was above and beyond any reasonable expectations. Their attention to detail and improvisational skills when things invariably changed were complementary. In my experience, people tend to attract others who are like themselves. The instructors were just like them: eager to teach, prepared, knowledgeable, and fully competent in their instruction. I loved that they really wanted us to leave with beautiful outcomes as well as a trove of knowledge."

"I loved every minute of this trip. "

"I loved it ! It takes time to get over jet lag and to "gel" as a group, so ten days was perfect."

"This is definitely the best group tour I have been on. The leaders were attentive to group dynamics, which can be complex. They were also very positive, which kept the energy up!"

"I loved the food! Thanks for finding such unique experiences for us :)"

"I could feel the love and dedication that went into planning this trip. There were so many thoughtful details!"

"Tour leaders made sure I was safe and comfortable and took very good care of us. I loved the healthy food and the care that all of the artists showed towards us. We had just enough free time to visit paper stores and stationery stores and meander through Kyoto’s smaller streets. I loved the flea market and temple visits."

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.

While your tour deposit is non-refundable, 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!

ready to join us in kyoto?

APPLY HERE

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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 Osaka and Kyoto, 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 LA-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.

Tsutomu Matsuda

Matsuda Seihon, Master Bookbinder

Tsutomu Matsuda is a master bookbinder who has dedicated over 55 years to the art of handmade Japanese bookbinding. Working exclusively by hand in his Kyoto studio, he creates one-of-a-kind functional works of art using traditional silk kimono fabrics.

At a time when many bookbinding studios have shifted to automated production, Matsuda-san has remained committed to traditional methods. Every step of his process is deliberate and meaningful, making bookbinding not only a craft, but a quiet, meditative practice rooted in care and continuity.

His daughter, Yoko, assists in the studio and serves as an interpreter for visitors, helping bridge language and culture so guests can experience this rare craft in an intimate, deeply local way.

TOMOKO KAMIHARA

Botanical Dyer at Tezomeya, Kyoto

After graduating from university, worked for Wacoal Corp. Ltd. where she was mainly in charge of domestic and overseas production management in the loungewear planning and production department. After leaving the company, she has been involved in product planning and production since the opening of tezomeya, and currently handles all aspects of the business from dyeing to sales.
“Using the knowledge of craftsmanship I gained while working at the company and my experience at tezomeya, I will respond to a wide range of requests at the workshop, from those who just want to experience herb dyeing to those who want to incorporate herb dyeing techniques into their own work.”

KAZUKI NOJIMA

Woodblock Print Artist, Takezasa-do, Kyoto

After studying Western-style painting at a fine arts high school, he specialized in woodblock printmaking at a university where Kenji Takenaka served as an instructor. Following graduation, his dedicated approach to production was recognized, and he joined Takezasa-do as a woodblock print carver.

He studied traditional carving techniques under Hiroshi Fujisawa, a contemporary master craftsman and carver, refining his skills through this training.

In addition to producing numerous ukiyo-e woodblock prints and contemporary prints, he is also involved in the restoration and newly commissioned carving of Buddhist prints, including devotional images, talismans, and sacred amulets.