Visit the apple-farming town of Masuda in Yokote City for a heartwarming and sustainable craft experience. In this workshop, you will learn the art of "Apple Dyeing" from a local women's group called "Pretty Apple." They utilize pruned apple branches—usually discarded as waste—to create beautiful, warm dye colors like orange, yellow, and gray.
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The Highlight
- Eco-Friendly Craft: Create a one-of-a-kind handkerchief using natural dye made from pruned apple tree branches and leaves.
- Local Interaction: Enjoy a traditional "Ochacco" (tea time) with homemade pickles and sweets, hosted by friendly local mothers.
- Creative Freedom: Learn simple tie-dye and stencil techniques to design your own patterns—perfect for beginners and children.
- Authentic Atmosphere: Experience the workshop in Masuda, a town famous for its apple orchards and historic culture.
The Experience
Handkerchief Making: You will dye a handkerchief using your preferred techniques. Use rubber bands for tie-dye patterns or choose from various stencils to create white-out designs. The color and finish will be uniquely yours, varying with the day's temperature and humidity.
Heartwarming Tea Time: After the dyeing session, relax and chat with the local hosts. They will serve tea along with local specialties such as pickles (gacco) and sweets. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with the local community and experience Akita's hospitality.
About Apple Dyeing and "Pretty Apple"
Apple dyeing is a form of botanical dyeing. It is a sustainable craft that utilizes the branches and leaves pruned from apple trees. Depending on the parts of the tree used and the mordant (the exact mixture is a secret!), a variety of colors such as orange, brown, and gray can be created.
The story begins with the heavy snowfall of 2011. The snow caused severe damage, snapping branches off countless apple trees and devastating the orchards in a way that would take years to recover from. Faced with mountains of broken branches, 11 local mothers from the "Masuda District Life Research Group" decided to take action. Wondering if there was a way to reuse the broken wood, they came up with the idea of "Apple Dyeing."
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- Japanese
Itinerary
- Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time. 10:00 and 14:00 start times available.
- Approximately 1.5 hours of dyeing experience
- After the experience, it's tea time with snacks prepared by the mothers.
Price Details
How to Use
- Please provide your order number on-site.
Purchase Notice
The guide's language is Japanese only
Important Booking Information
- Approximately 10 minutes by car (taxi) from JR Ou Main Line's Jumonji Station. Please check public transportation schedules before attending.
- Please come in clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, as the dye may stain your clothing.