Tour Designers Inc.

Tours

♪Sharatonton

The Sound of Life and Ryukyu Kasuri

Tour Story

♪Sharatonton, Sharatonton. Walking around the Motobu, Teruya, and Kyan areas of Haebaru Town in the late afternoon, when time passes leisurely, one can hear a pleasant sound coming from somewhere. The sound of weaving has always been a part of life in this area, sometimes as a lullaby, sometimes as a life lesson, and sometimes as a noisy sound. During the postwar reconstruction period, people gathered all kinds of materials and worked hard to produce textiles again, and their weaving skills supported their impoverished lifestyles. Ryukyu Kasuri, Ryukyuan style Ikat, has been handed down from parents to children and grandchildren over the ages, with its gentle texture and high-quality weaving techniques, along with the cherished feelings of our predecessors, nestled in the Okinawan climate. Visitors can also learn the secret of healthy longevity from the vegetable gardens and fields located here and there. In the town where Okinawan time passes leisurely, you can occasionally hear the sound of weaving and feel the various forms of "connection" between people and things.

Tour Digest

Starting the tour from the Ryukyu Kasuri Kaikan, visitors will see how Kasuri, Ikat, has become a part of daily life through scenes seen along the roadside, such as the patterns of Kasuri painted on the walls of private houses and trees used for dyeing. Also, by visiting a Kasuri workshop and a loom factory, visitors will learn that the entire region supports the Kasuri industry.

Tour Outline

●Ryukyu Kasuri and Local Life

The tour continues with the sound of the "Sharatonton " that can still be heard if you strain your ears, and the fields where people live in the region. On the way, you will see some fruits such as mangoes and bananas growing in the orchards depending on the season, and trees in the park that are used to dye Ryukyu Kasuri. The tour is only one step away from the main street, with few cars passing by, so you can enjoy the time flowing slowly and the occasional sound of weaving, the " Sharatonton " of the loom.

●Workshop Tour

We will visit the workshop of Ryukyu Kasuri, which is still in production. You will spend time with the craftsmen while listening to their stories about Kasuri, life with Kasuri, and weaving. Enjoy the soft time and the connection with Okinawan people.

●Loom Factory

After a short break, we will visit the loom factory, which is indispensable for weaving. As soon as you enter the workshop, you will be enveloped by the aroma of wood. Please spend such a restful time listening to the stories of the craftsmen.

●Fields, Gardens and Vegetable

When walking around town, one notices that many homes have gardens and fields with some fruits and vegetables close to their life. Local residents cherish their neighborly relationships through farming, exercising their whole bodies, always eating fresh vegetables, and enjoying the sunshine. Please try to discover the elements of health and longevity that are a natural part of people's lives.


【 Notes on reservation 】

●The entire tour (about 2 km) will be on foot, so please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Also, please wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from heat stroke and sunburn and bring drinking water.
●Please note that wheelchairs and strollers are not accessible some of area.
●The price vary depending on the number of participants and other factors.
●Please contact with us if you wish to join the tour with more than 15 people.
●Please note that the itinerary may be changed or cancelled depending on the season, weather, or other factors.
●Please contact us if you would like a different start time for the tour. Please note that the tour content may change depending on the start time.
●Please be aware that temperatures and humidity are expected to be extremely high during the summer season. Please take precautions against sunburn and heat stroke by yourself. If you do not feel well during the tour, please do not hesitate to ask our staff for assistance.