Special Extended Hand-weaving Experience Tour in Kyoto

This is a rare opportunity to witness the historic tall loom in action!

Tall looms were used in Japan for over a thousand years but virtually disappeared after the introduction of the Jacquard loom from France. This particular loom was meticulously recreated to commemorate the 555th anniversary of the Ōnin War, the event from which the name “Nishijin” originates. Reconstructing the loom was a painstaking process, relying on the scant historical records available.

Today, only two craftsmen are skilled in operating this machine: one manually raises the warps while the other guides the shuttle between them. It's incredible to see how this ancient machine, invented long before it came to Japan, functions.

Our tour typically lasts one hour and includes a hands-on weaving experience to create a small table mat, a guided tour of the Nishijin Textile Center, and demonstrations of hand-reeling filature and Jacquard loom weaving by a certified Nishijin artisan. However, to offer this exceptional chance to witness the tall loom in action, we have extended the tour!  Available only on Novemeber 16th and 17th, 2024.

Date and Time:  Nov. 16 - 17.    10:30 - 12:00,    13:30 - 15:00 
Duration: 1.5 hour
Meeting Place: On-site (Niishijin Textile Center) 
Number of Participants: 1-4 people
Age Restriction: 12 years old and above
Cost(Tax Included): 

• 1 Person:  11,400 yen
• 2 - 4 people:  8,200yen  per person

Included in the Cost:

• Materials, instruction fee, one Interpreter (English)