Tokushima, Japan

Kimono Sewing Retreat

Ten days of sewing, culture, and connection in a corner of Japan most travellers never see.

CHF 3,950 early-birdEarly bird pricing until 15 November 2026

This is not a typical destination in Japan where you can explore easily on your own. This retreat gives you the best of kimono sewing, tourism, shopping and enjoying local cuisine — with Miki by your side to help with translation and give you access to a community you would not be able to reach alone.

After our scheduled sewing and workshop sessions, there will be options for local touring and shopping to suit the group.

Retreat itinerary

A balanced rhythm of sewing tuition, cultural workshops, and time to take in the region.

Day 1
Arrival in Tokushima
Arrive at Tokushima, settle into the house, and enjoy a warm welcome dinner to start the retreat.
Day 2
Fabric factory tour & first session
Visit a local fabric factory, then begin your first kimono sewing session. The evening is free to relax.
Day 3
Morning and afternoon sewing
A full day dedicated to sewing, with the evening free to explore or rest.
Day 4
Sewing & cultural workshop
Sew in the morning, then take part in a cultural workshop in the afternoon.
Day 5
Morning and afternoon sewing
Another full day of sewing, with a free evening.
Day 6
Iya valley day trip
A day trip out to the stunning gorge in Iya, a highlight of Shikoku's natural beauty.
Day 7
Morning and afternoon sewing
Sew all day and enjoy a free evening.
Day 8
Cultural workshop & sewing
A cultural workshop in the morning, followed by sewing in the afternoon.
Day 9
Complete your kimono & tea ceremony
Finish your kimono in the morning, then take part in a traditional tea ceremony in the afternoon.
Day 10
Departure
Say farewell and depart after breakfast.

Terms and conditions

Price

CHF 3,950 per person if you apply early up until 15 November 2026, and CHF 4,300 per person after that. Prices are based on double occupancy for 4 people.

The house has two bedrooms, so there is no single-occupancy option.

What is included

Nine nights in a Japanese home
All meals from the welcome dinner to breakfast on departure day
Sewing tuition
Indigo dyeing, nerikiri, kimono and tea ceremony sessions
The Iya valley day trip
All local transport and airport transfers
Interpreting throughout

What is not included

Flights
Fabric and materials
Insurance
Personal spending

You choose and buy your own fabric — expect roughly ¥11,000–20,000, about CHF 60–110.

Four places, by application

Places are not quite first-come, first-served. We take applications on a rolling basis at early-bird price until 15 November 2026, then at CHF 4,300 after that.

The application process is nothing strict, it is to make sure that you will be happy with the planned activities. Applicants we can't place are welcomed to join the waiting list.

Apply via: https://forms.gle/hdvFsYmSLA43cB3q9

Booking

If you are offered a place, a deposit of CHF 1,500 within ten days secures it. The balance is due by 28 January 2027, or you may pay in full whenever you prefer.

Confirmation and flights

The retreat is confirmed as soon as two places are taken, which we expect by mid-November 2026. We will tell you the moment it is.

Please do not book flights before then — and once it is confirmed, it runs.

If the group stays small

The retreat goes ahead with as few as two participants, and your final price is fixed when applications close. If someone withdraws after that, the retreat still goes ahead — we will not cancel on you once you have booked your flights.

If the final group is two people, a small-group supplement of CHF 700 per person applies. All places are shared.

Cancellation

Let us know in writing and we will apply the following, based on the price of your booking:

You cancel	You pay
On or before 28 January 2027	The CHF 1,500 deposit
29 January – 27 February 2027	75%
From 28 February 2027, or if you do not travel	100%

Anything you have paid above that is refunded, and if we can fill your place from the waiting list we will refund more. We cannot refund flights or anything else you have booked yourself.