Discover the craftsmanship behind Mikawa cotton, a textile tradition cultivated in Japan’s Mikawa region for more than 400 years.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll experience the transformation of locally grown cotton from soft raw fiber into yarn and, ultimately, woven cloth.
Begin by handling Mikawa-grown cotton and learning how it has long been processed using simple traditional tools. Try cotton ginning to separate the seeds from the fiber, then fluff the cotton in preparation for spinning.
Next, use a traditional spinning wheel to draw the cotton into a continuous strand of yarn with your own hands. The yarn you spin becomes part of the piece you will weave yourself. At the loom, choose your preferred colors for the weft and gradually watch individual threads take shape as fabric. Finish your work by carefully trimming and arranging the fringe to complete your original Mikawa cotton coaster.
Following each stage from cotton to yarn and yarn to cloth offers an intimate look at the skill and patience behind traditional Japanese textile making.
At the end of the experience, take home a unique piece of Mikawa cotton craftsmanship made by your own hands.
This experience is available with two departure times. Please select your preferred start time when booking.
Meet your guide at Takeshima Craft Center, where your hands-on introduction to the centuries-old tradition of Mikawa cotton begins.
Work with locally grown Mikawa cotton and experience the traditional steps that transform raw fiber into cloth. Remove the seeds through cotton ginning, fluff the fibers, and use a traditional spinning wheel to spin your own yarn. Then move to the loom, combining your hand-spun yarn with weft threads in colors of your choice.
Finish the fringe to complete your one-of-a-kind Mikawa cotton coaster.
Finish your handmade coaster and take it home as a personal reminder of Mikawa’s textile heritage.
The following options can also be added to your tour. Please inquire when booking.
Takeshima Craft Center
This package tour includes statutory accident compensation in accordance with Japan’s Travel Agency Act. We also recommend that travelers purchase their own travel insurance for broader medical and travel-related coverage.
This experience is booked on request. We will respond to the request within 5 days
| Cancellation Date | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| No-show or cancellation after tour departure | 100% of the tour price |
| 1 day prior to the tour date or on the tour date | 50% of the tour price |
| 2 or more days prior to the tour date | Free |
Takeshima Craft Center