Nishijin Textile Center Kyoto

Nishijin Textile Center, Kyoto is a popular tourist attraction in Kyoto and is a 10 minute walk from the Imperial Palace. This museum is dedicated to the weavers who for centuries had produced elegant textiles for the imperial family and nobility.

The history of Nishijin silk weaving began with the history of Kyoto itself in 794;
It is estimated that there were 5000 weaving factories in the Nishijin District by the Edo Period. The district remains home to Japan’s largest handmade weaving industries. The museum situated here regularly holds demonstrations on the ground floor. The Jacquard system of perforated cards for weaving is used for producing handlooms here and you can watch the process in front of your eyes. A very interesting thing to do here is attend the Kimono Fashion show which is held six or seven times daily. You could attend the show free of cost.

The Kimono Fashion Show is held or six or seven times daily at the Nishijin Textile Center in Kyoto. It showcases kimono that changes with the seasons. There are some activities for which you need reservations such as dressing as a maiko known as geisha apprentices or geiko better known as professional entertainers for 8,800 Yen ($73). You could also try your own hand at producing a textile on a small loom which you can then take home. The fee charged is 1800 Yen or $15. A shop selling textile products and souvenirs is also situated within the Nishijin Textile Center.

The Nishijin Textile Center hosts demonstrations of age-old weaving techniques and presents fashion shows and special exhibitions for visitors to come and enjoy. On the mezzanine floor of the center, you could buy kimonos and gift items such as happi or workmen’s coats and also silk purses.

The textile center is open everyday from 9AM till 5PM. There are no admission charges to the textile center. It is located in central Kyoto and you could take a number of buses such as 9, 51, 59 or 101 to Horikawa and Imadegawa to reach the place. The textile center is closed for a few days in the year; from August 13th to 15th and December 29th to January 15th.

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