TOUR PROGRAMS

Traditional Japanese Dyeing Experience with Tane Lab

This tour takes place in Tane Lab in the town of Rikubetsu, known as the coldest town in Japan. You will experience dyeing a handkerchief using traditional dyeing techniques that make use of herbs and plants. You can also try making your own blend of herbal tea and enjoy it for tea time. It’s a fun and educational activity that lets you experience a part of traditional Japanese culture.

Tane Lab is a company owned and operated by Yu Hinata and his wife Mikie. They develop various products from medicinal plants and herbs that they cultivate in their own fields. For the dyeing experience, you will use plants and herbs grown and prepared by Tane Lab.

After learning about the traditional dyeing process from Hinata-san, you will try it out on your own. You will dye a white handkerchief into a beautiful light purple color using the roots of the rare Murasaki plant (purple gromwell). Of course, you can also take home your dyed handkerchief as a souvenir.

After the dyeing activity, you can try making your own blend of herbal tea using the dried herbs prepared by Tane Lab. You can then enjoy it for tea time together with Hinata-san. You can also take home any remaining dried herbs that you used for your tea blend.
Note: If you cannot drink herbal tea, we can also prepare a homemade syrup-based drink or soft drink. Please inquire in advance.

Note: All images are for illustration purposes only. Your actual experience may vary.

Schedule

13:00 Meetup at Tane Lab
13:05 Activity orientation, preparation
13:10 Traditional dyeing experience
15:10 Herbal tea blend making and tea time 
16:00 Tour finish
Tour name Traditional Japanese Dyeing Experience with Tane Lab
Area OBIHIRO / TOKACHI
Category FARM/INDUSTRY CRAFTS
Season AUTUMN WINTER
Available period October to late April
Time 13:00-16:00(3 hours)
Participants Minimum 2 persons, maximum 12 persons
Fee Please inquire for details
Optional
Services
Arrangement of transportation to and from the meetup point (separate fee required, please inquire for details)
Included
Services
Activity fee, cost of herbs and materials, English guide fee, tour insurance, consumption tax
Not included Transportation to and from the meetup point
Things to bring Wear clothing that you don't mind getting dirty (may get stained during the activity)
Meetup Location

Shinmachi Koryukan (新町交流館)
Address: Rikubetsu 313-14, Rikubetsu-cho, Ashoro-gun, Hokkaido
Mapcode: 596 464 032*71
Notes ・Please reserve at least 7 days in advance.
・Depending on the availability of the guide, we may not be able to accommodate your preferred tour date.
・The tour may be changed or cancelled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.

Cancellation Fee:
・2 or more days before the tour date: full refund
・1 day before the tour date: 50% of the tour fee
・On the day of the tour: 100% of the tour fee
・No show: 100% of the tour fee
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