Traditional Kokura-ori Tour: Tracing the History from Its Decline and Restoration to Its Evolution (2days)
Kokura-ori is a traditional craft from Kitakyushu City that once swept across the country with the saying, "Only Kokura will do for a samurai’s hakama." The textile was even once a gift presented to the Shogun family. Although the tradition of Kokura-ori was lost when the industry shifted to producing heavy industry, it was recently rediscovered by dyeing and weaving artist, Noriko Tsuiki. While inheriting its tradition, Kokura-ori has expanded its global reach and continues to gain new value today. This plan offers a special experience centered on the decline and history of Kokura-ori. After a visit to a workshop that continues to weave traditional, hand-woven textiles, we will tour Kokura Castle to experience Kokura-ori with all five senses. A Kimono dressing workshop, wish bag making, and factory tour are included.
- ● Enjoy a special guided tour by Mio Tsuiki, leader of Kokura Textile Inc..
- ● Experience an exclusive visit and a talk by Noriko Tsuiki.
- ● Discover the charm of local sake at the 180-year-old Mizogami Brewery.
- ● Savor Kitakyushu’s seafood delicacies and enjoy matcha at Kokura Castle.
- ● Create a Kokura-ori “wish bag” – a perfect keepsake for your journey.
- ● Dress in a Kokura-ori kimono or hakama and take photos with Kokura Castle as the backdrop
What is Restored “Kokura Ori”?
Kokura-ori is a type of cotton fabric that was once widely woven from the early Edo period through the Taisho era around modern-day Kitakyushu. Known for its distinctive vertical striped patterns, Kokura-ori is characterized by its high warp density and exceptional durability. During the Edo period, it was used for items such as hakama and obi. Its strength earned it the reputation of being the preferred fabric for samurai attire, with the saying, “Only Kokura will do for a samurai’s hakama.” This fabric was beloved throughout Japan, but as fashion shifted towards Western-style clothing in the early Showa period, Kokura-ori gradually disappeared and was largely forgotten.
However, the beauty of the vertical stripes captivated textile artist, Noriko Tsuiki, who painstakingly revived and restored the textile. While traditional Kokura-ori already featured a very high warp density, Tsuiki experimented with finer threads, achieving an even denser fabric and gradient patterns that made the weft virtually invisible. Her work has earned numerous awards. Later, she contributed to the development of making wider Kokura-ori fabric through machine weaving, and in 2007, her sister, Eiko Watanabe, launched the “KOKURA SHIMA SHIMA” brand. Today, Kokura-ori is highly regarded both domestically and internationally, especially as an interior fabric.
Factory Tour of KOKURA SHIMA SHIMA Textile Manufacturing
KOKURA SHIMA SHIMA fabric is woven inside a building in the heart of Kokura city. Established in 2018, Kokura Textile Inc. began producing Kokura-ori fabrics with precision and craftsmanship. During the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the textile factory, which resembles a glass-walled laboratory, and gain a deeper understanding of the weaving process while receiving expert explanations. Be sure not to miss the warping machines and looms, each with its own unique name. In the afternoon, we will visit the main store and gallery of KOKURA SHIMA SHIMA, where you can enjoy shopping as well.
Make a Wish Bags from Kokura-ori Textiles
Under the guidance of an instructor, participants will experience making wish bags by folding and tying KOKURA SHIMA SHIMA fabric. In Japanese culture, actions such as “folding,” “tying,” and “wrapping” carry deep cultural significance. During this workshop, participants will not only learn the craft but also hear about the cultural meanings behind these actions, gaining a deeper understanding of Japan’s textile traditions. The completed wish bags make wonderful mementos of your journey.
A Matcha Experience at Kokura Castle with a View of the Beautiful Japanese Garden
Enjoy the experience of wearing hakama and obi made from Kokura-ori fabric, all while taking in the beauty of a 700-tsubo (approximately 2,310 square meters) traditional Japanese garden that has been preserved for over 130 years. At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to experience a traditional matcha ceremony (seated tea ceremony) in the iconic Kokura Castle Garden. This unique and immersive experience is sure to be appreciated by both locals and visitors from afar alike.
Photo: ©KOKURA SHIMA SHIMA
Tour Code | JFKT02 |
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Dates | November 25, 2024 – January 15, 2025 If you are interested in participating, please contact us by email. We will notify you once the event date has been decided. |
Duration | 2 Days |
Price | 200,000 yen (tax included) |
Schedule | Please make your way to JR Kokura Station. Upon arrival, you will meet the guide and then embark on a tour to various locations by private bus. [ Day 1 ]
[ Day 2 ]
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Language | Japanese *We can help arrange for an English interpreter (additional cost required). Please contact us if necessary: tour@unalabs.jp |
Participants | Minimum 5 / Maximum 10 |
Meeting Location | JR Kokura Station |
Reservation Deadline | Up to 7 days before the start of the tour |
Payment Method | Advance payment by credit card (VISA, Master, Amex, JCB) using a form once the request has been confirmed. |
Attire | Please wear comfortable, well-worn shoes that are easy to walk in. |
What to Bring | All the items necessary for the experience are provided. |
Notes |
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Cancellation Policy | 3 to 1 day(s) preceding the tour start date: 50% of the tour fee Before departure on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour fee No-show without prior notification or cancellation after the start of the tour: 100% of the tour fee |
Travel Planning: Implementation
- UNA Laboratories Inc. (Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Registration #2-951)
- 3-12-22-302 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture 810-0022
- TEL: 092-982-7956E-MAIL: tour@unalabs.jp
- Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors:
Aya Tamura, Noriko Yahata, Rei Watanabe - Business Hours:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays) - *Requests received outside of business hours will be processed the following business day.
- *Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors are responsible for transactions held at the sales office that processes customers’ travel. Please do not hesitate to contact the aforementioned Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors with any questions or concerns regarding the travel contract.
Tour Information
- Available Dates
- Dates: November 25, 2024 – January 15, 2025
- Duration
- 2 days
- Recommended Age
- Suitable for All Ages
- Price
- 200,000yen (tax included)