Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop

Our Measures against infection

In order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, we are taking measures and asking for your cooperation as below. Please read before you visit Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop.

  • Time slots for indigo-dyeing experience reduced
     3 → 2 (10:00 am/13:00pm)
  • Number of participants
     5 persons at max for each time slot
  • Limits of attendant
     Only 1 attendant is allowed to enter, for each participant. Others have to wait outside or take turns to enter.
     *A child under junior high school must be accompanied by a parent or care giver.
  • About reservations
     Advance reservation is required for indigo-dyeing experience.
     ・Reservation through google forms (open a new window) :at least 5 business days before your preferred date.
     ・Reservation by phone 044‐900‐1101 (Japanese language only):if any time slot is available.
  • About personal information
     Please let us know the number of people in your group, the name and phone number (or Email address) of the representative when you make a reservation.
     Please refrain from visiting if you have traveled to other countries within 14 days or if you are not feeling well.
  • About temperature taking and mask
     We need to take the temperature of all participants and attendants. And please wear a mask.
  • What you need to bring
     Please wear clothes and shoes which you don’t mind getting dirty. Please bring rubber gloves or disposable gloves, and a plastic bag for taking wet works back.
     *Gloves are also available on the site.
Dentou-Kougeikan (West Gate)
Visitors can enjoy the experience of indigo dyeing at Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop located at the West Gate. Inheriting the art of a dye house in Kawasaki City, the workshop house managing 8 indigo vats also holds work displays and lectures.
It is free to visit Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop (Dentou-Kougeikan) . Separate admission fee is required when visiting Nihon Minkaen.

About Indigo Dyeing

The Indigo, “Ai” in Japanese, is an annual plant of joint weed family. We get dyestuff from the leaves. Reaped leaves are dried, cut fine, fermented, and applied pressure. Adding lime, ash water, and well water, we heat and ferment them to make indigo solution.

Indigo dyeing, “Ai-zome”, is a simple handwork our ancestors had cultivated. We apply the solution to cloth and have the cloth aired to repeat oxidation. You can find the beautiful Japanese ancient color, which has a color tone deeper than sky blue and lighter than navy blue.



About Experiencing

You can enjoy the experience of indigo dyeing in the Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop. It is charged. Prior reservation is required, as the experience may be unavailable due to the use of other groups and lectures.

Samples of indigo-dyed handkerchief
Dyeing handkerchiefs

1. Indigo Dyeing Experience

Visitors can try indigo dyeing using a plain handkerchief. It’s beginner-friendly. Prior reservation is required, as the experience may be unavailable due to the use of other groups and lectures.

Time Required
60 mins ~ 90 mins

Charges

  • A plain handkerchief (45cm × 45cm): 1,100 yen
  • A plain bandanna (54cm × 54cm): 1,100 yen
  • A tote bag (18cm × 30cm with a bottom gusset 10cm): 2,750 yen

2. Dyeing Your Own Goods (reservation required)

You can enjoy creative dyeing with your items brought in. Reservations are required. (Acceptable from 1 person.)

Charges

  • Basic charge: 550 yen every half day
  • Charge for dyeing: 22 yen per 1 gram of cloth
(Weight varies depending on the type of cloth.)

3. Reservation for Groups (reservation required) * Suspended currently

[For schools/public] You can experience indigo dyeing “Ai-zome” up to 40 persons at a time, e.g., an elementary school class. Dyeing a handkerchief takes approximately 60 minutes to 90 minutes. For further information, please contact below.


Opening Hours:

From March to October: 9:30 ~ 17:00
From November to February: 9:30 ~ 16:30

Time Slots for indigo dyeing experience:

1) 10:00 ~ / 2) 13:00 ~ /

Closed:

Mondays (open on holidays)
The day after Japanese national holidays (open on Saturday and Sunday)
December 29 – January 3
*Temporary closure may take place.

Reservation for Indigo Dyeing Experience *at least 5 business days before your preferred date/Inquiries:



<Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop (Dentou-Kougeikan)>
TEL/FAX: +81-44-900-1101
Please make a reservation through google forms by clicking this link. (open a new window)

[Please note]
*It takes about 15~20 minutes to walk from the main gate of Minkaen to the Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop which is up on a hill. Please come earlier so that you don’t be late.

For lectures of indigo dyeing, please apply through another mail form by clicking this link.(open a new window)

*Reservation on November 3 is unacceptable because of other events.

Access to Dentou-Kougeikan:

  • The Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop (Dento-Kougeikan) is located at the West Gate of the Nihon Minka-en. It is a little apart from the Main Gate, through a sloping road.
  • If you come directly to the Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop from Mukogaoka-Yuen Station, you can get on the Odakyu Bus at the north exit of Mukogaoka-Yuen Station and get off at the “Senshu Daigaku-mae” stop. It is a 5 minutes-walk from the bus stop.
  • If you come by car, the Ikuta Ryokuchi West Exit Parking Lot (a toll parking lot) is convenient.
  • Please also refer to →“Access”.
    7-1-1 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, 214-0032 Japan (inside Ikuta Ryokuchi Park)

The inside of Dentou-Kougeikan
For further information, please call below.
Dentou-Kougeikan (Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop)
7-1-3 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture 214-0032
TEL: +81-44-900-1101(in Japanese language only).