Step into a traditional weaving studio in Oshiage, a short walk from Tokyo Skytree, and weave your own table mat on a wooden loom. No experience is needed: a weaving instructor guides every step, with a dedicated English interpreter beside you throughout.
What you'll do:
- Learn how the loom works, and how warp and weft threads come together to make fabric
- Choose your colors from around 500 types of yarn, including cotton, wool, silk and linen, in many textures and thicknesses.
- Weave your mat row by row, watching the pattern grow under your hands
- Finish your mat, about 30 × 40 cm, and take it home the same day
No two mats come out the same — each one carries the colors and rhythm chosen by the person who wove it.
Weaving takes real concentration, which is what makes it feel like a craft rather than a quick activity. Many guests find the steady rhythm of the loom calming, almost meditative, and are surprised how quickly the time passes.
You'll spend about 2 hours in the studio, from choosing your yarns to finishing your mat. Groups are limited to four, so the instructor can work with each person individually.
The studio is on the upper floor of a house. At the front of the building, look for the door on the left-hand side, ring the bell, and go up one flight of stairs to the studio. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the start time.
The studio is on the upper floor of a house. At the front of the building, look for the door on the left-hand side, ring the bell, and go up one flight of stairs to the studio. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the start time.
