Dyeing a 400-Year-Old Cultural Memory: New Vibes in an Old Town Quarter – Strolling Through Arimatsu, the Hipster’s Delight

▲ Arimatsu Shibo is the area’s traditional fabric-dyeing technique.

▲ Preserved historic houses in the area.

Reported and photographed by Jiayun Yu / Nagoya

In Taiwan, indigo dyeing is a fabric technique with a long history and deep cultural significance. As this craft declined, local organizations used modern tourism marketing to keep this traditional art alive. Similarly, in Arimatsu, Nagoya, Japan, the locally born "Arimatsu Shibo" shares the same spirit. With a 400-year history, Arimatsu dyeing is not only a shared generational memory for locals but also a cultural symbol that preserves Arimatsu’s journey from its Edo-period origins to its current status as a thriving hipster district, thanks to government planning. This compact town, which can be explored on foot in about an hour, features Arimatsu-dyed fabrics hanging from nearly every household, each doorway holding stories spanning centuries—well worth slowing down to savor.

▲ A tranquil and serene street.

▲ The corner pharmacy is the oldest building in Arimatsu.

▲ A wide variety of Arimatsu-dyed patterns.

In the early Edo period, the Tōkaidō was a post station route connecting present-day Tokyo and Kyoto, and Arimatsu was a relatively remote and desolate town along the way. When Nagoya Castle was being constructed, many skilled workers gathered here, and one of them brought fabric-dyeing techniques to Arimatsu. Coupled with nearby cotton production, locals began making "Arimatsu Shibo" into goods to sell to travelers on the Tōkaidō, which became hugely popular. As a result, almost every household in Arimatsu started producing these dyed fabrics. Over time, the craft evolved from basic "indigo-like dyes" to a wide range of colors and styles, becoming a signature product of the region.

▲ Blue-and-white Arimatsu-dyed fabrics hang from every home.

▲ Each shop displays its own unique dyeing style.

Although Arimatsu is no longer as bustling as in its heyday, its century-old houses and distinctive shops give it both historical charm and a modern artistic vibe. Here, traditional Arimatsu-dyed fabrics hang proudly from every entrance, their blue-and-white patterns fluttering in the wind, full of vitality. The most common shops along the street are those selling Arimatsu-dyed goods. Since each shop produces its own dyes, styles vary greatly—some playful and youthful, others mature and elegant—offering a dazzling array of colors and patterns. Beyond its color variations, Arimatsu is also known for the increasingly rare "tie-dyeing" (shibori) technique. Using special binding methods, the fabric develops prickly, cone-shaped bumps like a hedgehog, adding dimension and tension to the flat material. These techniques aren’t limited to clothing but are also used to make shoes, bags, and even lampshades—a truly impressive craftsmanship.

▲ Outfits entirely made with Arimatsu-dyed fabrics.

▲ % Experience the unique charm of traditional dyeing firsthand.

To allow outsiders to experience this centuries-old traditional culture, some Arimatsu-dyed fabric shops offer hands-on workshops. The Kunono Shibori Workshop was founded by two young women who were introduced to Arimatsu dyeing during university. After graduation, they decided to create their own Arimatsu-dyeing brand, managing everything from fabric tying and dyeing to sales themselves. They are the only shop in Arimatsu that doesn’t outsource any part of the process. The Kunono Shibori Workshop isn’t large—a small studio that’s freezing in winter and sweltering in summer—making it tough for the duo who often spend entire days there. Yet, this seemingly modest space is where all their dyed creations are born and where an important part of cultural heritage lives on.

▲ The youthful vibe of the shop is reflected in its patterns and colors.

▲ % Items range in price from 400 to 5,000 yen.

Because shibori techniques are relatively complex, the workshop experience focuses on the simpler floor-dyeing method. Fabric is folded using triangular wooden boards, the folding repeated until it’s pressed under another board and secured with rubber bands. The tied triangular boards are then dyed, with different coloring methods producing vastly different patterns. After dyeing, the fabric is placed in a steamer for about 10–15 minutes, then air-dried to complete the Arimatsu-dyed piece. The most fun part of making Arimatsu dye is not knowing what the final result will look like until you undo the rubber bands and unfold the fabric—it’s like unwrapping a gift, full of delightful surprises. Just like this traditional yet innovative town, rich in character yet understated, it’s well worth exploring bit by bit.

▲ The brand founders explain the triangle-board dyeing method.

▲ Dyeing the fabric.

▲ Dyed fabric goes into the steamer, resembling a pile of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).

▲ Unfolding the fabric is as exciting as opening a gift.