Held once a year.

A 3-day, 2-night workshop where you can experience life in Itoshiro, learn about clothing, and make an "Echizen shirt" using the traditional straight-cut method.

Held May 23-25, 2026

Target audience: Beginners to experienced sewers
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Method: Hand sewing or machine sewing

The surprising construction, similar to "tatsuke." We'll share the creation and background of the "Echizen shirt," inherited from a grandmother born in 1927.

It's a miracle that a front-button shirt can be made almost entirely with straight cuts. There's no wasted fabric, it's easy to move in, and it's an arrangement of what was originally a men's work shirt to fit modern lifestyles.

Although it's a straight cut, it's not easy to make because there are many parts and a lot of detailed work. It also takes time. However, the joy you feel when it's finished is what makes an Echizen shirt so special.

Being in an environment where you can ask anything immediately, with companions working alongside you. What's difficult to do alone becomes possible over three days and two nights spent here.

And learning deeply about the historical background of the Echizen shirt is something unique to a real-life event in Itoshiro.

Your sewing skills will also improve. We welcome any questions, from basic to advanced.
Why not join us for a 3-day, 2-night journey of clothes-making, learning, and making new friends in Itoshiro?

>About Echizen Shirt

Schedule

May 23 (Sat) 2026, 13:30 start - May 25 (Mon) 17:00 end
*This will be the only event held in 2026.
　　　

Schedule

 *Times are set to accommodate public transportation.

〈Day 1〉
13:30 Arrive in Itoshiro (Greetings, self-introductions)
14:00 Measuring and fabric cutting / Overlocking
18:00 Check-in & dinner social (at a guesthouse)

〈Day 2〉
9:00 Shrine visit, tour of old folk museum
10:00 Sewing time (at the clothing store)
12:00 Lunch (hors d'oeuvres), shop tour
13:00 Sewing time
16:00 Talk about traditional clothing culture
17:00 End

〈Day 3〉
9:00 Sewing time
12:00 Curry lunch
13:00 Sewing time
17:00 End / Completion photo shoot (bus departs at 18:36)

*Evenings are generally free time. Recommended activities include visiting a nearby hot spring (Manten no Yu) or stargazing.

■ What to bring

Sewing tools (fabric scissors, thread snips, tape measure, fabric marker, sewing thread (cotton thread #50 or polyester thread #60 to match fabric), pins (10), pincushion), fabric and 8 buttons (if you don't have them, we will provide fabric), overnight stay kit.

*Please prepare lightweight linen, cotton, or cotton-linen fabric. Please prepare 8 buttons, 1.2-1.5 cm in size.
*We will provide the following two types of fabric. Please refer to them when considering.
・Organic cotton / Flannel fabric
・White linen fabric

■ Participation fee

45,000 yen (includes lunch. Accommodation fee of around 10,000 yen/night (with breakfast and dinner) should be paid locally.)

*Depending on experience level, completion within the allotted time may not be possible. In such cases, we will continue to provide instructions on how to finish.
*We will arrange accommodation. Since there are few lodging facilities operating in the village and arrangements can only be made closer to the date, we will contact you separately regarding accommodation costs.
*If you wish to stay an extra night, please consult us.
*We will ask for your preferences regarding shared rooms and other lodging arrangements in a pre-event questionnaire, but please understand that your preferences may not always be met due to coordination with other participants.

■ Venue & Access

Itoshiro Clothing Store
65-18 Itoshiro, Shirotori-cho, Gujo-shi, Gifu
tel : 0575-86-3808

*Please arrange your own transportation by private car or public transport.-If coming by public transport

・Outbound (morning departure) Nagoya 8:45 ⇒ (JR) ⇒ Mino-Ota 9:56 ⇒ (Nagaragawa Railway) ⇒ 11:53 Mino-Shirotori 12:20 ⇒ (Shirotori Kotsu) ⇒ Shimozaisho 12:59

・Return (evening departure) Shimozaisho 18:36 ⇒ (Shirotori Kotsu) ⇒ 19:15 Mino-Shirotori 19:38 ⇒ (Nagaragawa Railway) ⇒ 21:33 Mino-Ota 21:55 ⇒ (JR) ⇒ Nagoya 22:56

■ Cancellation Policy

*From April 10, 2025, the cancellation policy will be changed as follows. For those who apply on or after April 10, the following cancellation policy will apply.

・Cancellation from application date up to 1 week before the event: 5%
・Cancellation 6 days to 3 days before the event: 50%
・Cancellations thereafter: Full amount

Participation Q&A

Q1. I'm a beginner at clothes making, can I participate?

A. Yes, beginners have participated before.

Tatsuke and hakama are made with straight cuts,
so both cutting and sewing are almost entirely straight lines.

In this workshop,
・How to determine measurements
・How to handle and cut fabric
・Sewing order
・How to finish seam allowances
will be carefully explained one by one.

Rather than "making it well,"
we value "experiencing the philosophy of Japanese clothing making,"
so please feel free to participate regardless of your experience level.

Q2. I'm clumsy, and I'm worried if I can finish it.

A. Please rest assured, we will fully support you until completion.

We have small class sizes and proceed while observing each person's progress.
Please feel free to ask questions as many times as you need on the spot.

Also, this workshop does not aim for "perfect results."
We value the process of working with your hands and shaping your own unique garment.

Q3. I'm worried if I can keep up physically.

A. We will proceed at a comfortable pace.

Although it's a 3-day, 2-night event, we prioritize a good balance of work and rest.
You won't be standing or sewing continuously.

We'll alternate between "focused hands-on time" and "learning about local culture"
"tea breaks," and so on.

Q4. What kind of people participate?

A. People of various ages and backgrounds participate.

In the past, participants have included:
・People who love making clothes (and feel a dilemma about fabric scraps!)
・People interested in Japanese life and culture
・People who want to spend time working with their hands in nature
and a wide range of others.

Even if you've never met before,
sharing time making the same thing
naturally fosters conversation.
Please come and enjoy it as a place to make new friends!

Q5. Itoshiro is far, but is it okay to participate alone?

A. Most participants come alone, so it's perfectly fine.

Many participants come from far away and attend alone.
We will provide guidance on accommodation and transportation in advance, so please rest assured.

Almost 100% of participants say, "It was worth coming despite the distance."
We have prepared a welcoming environment to ensure you feel the same way.

Q6. What do I need to bring?

A. Large sewing tools such as sewing machines and irons will be provided here.

Please check the top of this page for details on what to bring.
If you have difficulty acquiring or transporting anything, we also have it available,
so please don't worry about coming.