A textile lover’s dream: exploring Japan with Kyoto Kimono | #LRCrafts - DIY Passion: if you can think it, you can make it
Sometimes, the most wonderful discoveries happen by chance. A few weeks ago, while chatting in a Facebook group about the best shops in Japan for Sashiko lovers, I came across Nancy McDonough, the founder of Kyoto Kimono. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, we were talking to each other over a video call about the Textile Tours of Japan she organizes twice a year.
If I was intrigued when I first heard of them, let me tell you, my fascination only grew! The way she described the immersive experience of walking Kyoto’s temple markets, visiting traditional artisan studios, and learning ancient techniques straight from the masters… it all sounded like a dream tailor-made for crafters like us.
While I can’t hop on a plane just yet, I knew I had to share this with you. If you’re someone who finds joy in textiles, handmade traditions, and cultural discovery, this could be the experience you’ve been waiting for. Here’s everything I’ve learned about these small-group tours, and why they might just be the one-in-a-lifetime adventure you didn’t know you needed.
Do you want to experience crafty Kyoto yourself?
Book a tour using the discount code “SaraToldMe”.
You’ll get a 100$ discount, I’ll get the possibility of attending, too!
Table of contents
How the Textile Tours came to be
Nancy’s journey into the world of Japanese textiles started over thirty years ago, when she moved to Kyoto in 1992 to teach English and train other ESL teachers. She fell head over heels for the beauty, history and craftsmanship of traditional Japanese textiles, especially vintage kimono.
By the time she returned to the US in 1996, her suitcases were overflowing with over 200 kimono. That was the beginning of Kyoto Kimono, which started as a small hobby business, but quickly grew into something much bigger. Just a few years later, in 1999, she launched her website (an uncommon thing back in the day!) and by the following year the demand had become strong enough to make it her full-time work.
Her passion didn’t go unnoticed. Customers began asking if she’d ever consider leading buying trips to Japan, and from those early requests, the Textile Tours of Japan were born. What started as a personal love affair with Japanese textile arts has become a truly unique opportunity for fellow enthusiasts to immerse themselves in Kyoto’s vibrant artisan scene, not just as tourists, but as learners and admirers of a living tradition.
In the heart of Kyoto and its craftsmanship scene
What sets Nancy’s Textile Tours of Japan apart is how deeply rooted they are in experience, not just sightseeing. Nancy lived in Kyoto for years, and it shows: even just speaking with her about the city and the tour, you feel like you’re already there. Or you really would love to be!
Often considered the spiritual and cultural heart of Japan, Kyoto is also the historic seat of Japanese textile artistry. This tour is not about rushing through landmarks or cramming in photo ops, just to tick boxes on a checklist. It’s about slowing down, connecting with the culture, and soaking in every thread of the textile story woven into Kyoto’s daily life.
Each tour is deliberately intimate, with a maximum of ten participants: just enough for rich shared experiences, yet small enough to ensure individual attention. Over nine nights and ten days, guests settle into a western-style hotel with private single-occupancy rooms. It’s as much a retreat as it is an adventure, designed to give space for quiet reflection after days filled with inspiration.
And what days they are!
The schedule is built around Kyoto’s famous markets, timed to catch the vibrant Chionji Handicraft Market on the 15th and the sprawling Kobo-san Temple Market at Toji on the 21st. These open-air markets are full of handcrafted treasures, vintage textiles, antiques, even bonsai trees. There’s also a strong focus on upcycling and sustainability, where forgotten scraps find new life in the hands of clever artisans.
These market days are complemented by a rich program of textile exploration: three hands-on textile workshops and five visits to artisan studios, plus curated stops at selected heritage sites. You’ll meet master dyers, weavers, and embroidery artists in their own workspaces, not just to observe: you’ll be learning directly from traditional masters, and that’s not just watching, but doing.
Expect indigo dyeing, weaving, embroidery and other techniques passed down through generations. Every visit is personal, offering an intimate look into the workspaces and lives of craftspeople who keep these ancient skills alive.
To balance the busy days, two free days are included so you can explore Kyoto at your own pace (or hop on a train to nearby towns).
Whether you’re returning to a favorite fabric shop, sipping matcha in a teahouse, or wandering through a mossy temple garden, the time is yours. Nancy and her on-site concierge are always available to help plan personal outings, make restaurant reservations, or point you to hidden gems.
Do you want to experience crafty Kyoto yourself?
Book a tour using the discount code “SaraToldMe”.
You’ll get a 100$ discount, I’ll get the possibility of attending, too!
What the Tour includes (and why it feels so personal)
This isn’t your average sightseeing group. Nancy’s Textile Tour of Kyoto is crafted for connection and creativity. While there’s a thoughtful framework to each day, the itinerary remains flexible, adapting to the group’s energy and interests.
Each tour includes five artisan studio visits and three hands-on workshops. These vary depending on the season and the preferences of the participants, but past groups have visited master dyers and weavers working in centuries-old family ateliers. The workshops are deeply immersive: you’ll sit on the tatami floor with artisans, handle the tools of their trade, and engage with techniques passed down through generations. It’s a rare and intimate experience that can’t be replicated in a classroom or museum.
Things begin with a welcome dinner on the first night: the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travelers, share your excitement, and start forming connections. At the end of the tour, a farewell dinner brings everyone back together to celebrate the memories made, often with plenty of laughter, stories, and promises to keep in touch.
Most guests are seasoned travelers in their 60s and 70s, active, curious, and open-minded. While there’s no strenuous hiking involved, participants must be comfortable walking for up to an hour at a time and sitting on the floor for some workshops or meals. The pace is gentle, immersive, and deeply respectful of the culture being explored.
In the months leading up to departure, Nancy holds video chats and sends prep emails to help guests get to know one another and prepare for the experience ahead. This means that by the time you land in Kyoto, you’re not arriving as strangers: you’re arriving as a community. It’s a warm, welcoming way to begin an unforgettable journey.
Transportation during the tour is mostly by taxi, which keeps things comfortable and flexible: no large buses or big groups to navigate. The goal is always comfort, calm, and connection. Think of it as a curated slice of Japanese culture, tailored to textile lovers and crafted by someone who knows the city like a local… because she is one. Everything is curated with care and ease in mind.
In short: this is a tour designed by a textile lover, for textile lovers. Thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply rooted in Kyoto’s craft culture. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after the dye has dried and the threads are tied.
Practical Details
- Tour Price: $4,900 USD per person
(Airfare not included) - Duration: 9 nights / 10 days
(Hotel is booked for two extra nights – one before the tour begins and one after it ends – so you’re free to arrive early or stay on if you’d like a bit more time in Kyoto.) - Accommodations: Private, western-style single occupancy room included
A special discounted rate is available if you’d like to extend your stay at the same hotel before or after the tour. - Pace: This is a slow, mindful tour, designed for comfort and deep cultural immersion. No rushing, no crowds: just space to absorb and enjoy.
- Bringing a Partner? You’re welcome to!
There’s no extra tour fee if they’re just along to relax and explore Kyoto at their own pace. You’d simply pay the hotel’s rate for a double room, and we’ll make sure your accommodations suit both of you.
Do you want to experience crafty Kyoto yourself?
Book a tour using the discount code “SaraToldMe”.
You’ll get a 100$ discount, I’ll get the possibility of attending, too!
Book a tour with a discount
If this tour speaks to your soul the way it spoke to mine, you can reserve your spot right now through the official Textile Tour of Japan page.
When you book, use the coupon code SaraToldMe to get $100 off the total tour price!
The discount applies right away, at the deposit stage.
And here’s the fun part: every time someone uses that code, it helps bring me a little closer to joining the tour myself (and maybe even co-hosting a future one with Nancy!). So if you decide to go, thank you for bringing that dream one step closer.
Book your Textile Tour to KyotoAnd don’t forget to use the discount code “SaraToldMe“!
One day in Kyoto...
After talking with Nancy, I found myself daydreaming about quiet Kyoto streets, the hush of a workshop, the feel of indigo-dyed fabric in my hands. I didn’t expect it! I’ve never considered myself especially drawn to Japan or its culture. But somehow, hearing her stories and feeling her passion, just pulled me in. It’s hard not to be moved by the deep respect she has for the culture, the crafts, and the people who keep them alive.
This tour isn’t just about textiles. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and connecting: with a place, with a history, and with yourself.
I truly hope that some of you reading this might get the chance to experience it firsthand. If you’ve ever been on one of Nancy’s tours, or if you have a passion for Japanese craft traditions, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. What did you see? What moved you?
And who knows… maybe one day, we’ll meet in Kyoto, following Nancy through a temple market, discovering treasures, and learning together from the hands that still shape beauty the old way.
Do you want to experience crafty Kyoto yourself?
Book a tour using the discount code “SaraToldMe”.
You’ll get a 100$ discount, I’ll get the possibility of attending, too, with a discount!
by Rici86.
