Feb 8, 2015 - 1 min read

Shindo's Indigo Museum at Miyama

The original wanderer and his collection

Community writer

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Hiroyuki Shindo, the curator of the Little Indigo Museum is a wealth of knowledge and insight on all things Indigo.

Hiroyuki Shindo, the curator of the Little Indigo Museum is a wealth of knowledge and insight on all things Indigo.

Three shades of Indigo. Feel, smell and see the brilliance of hand made indigo textiles.

Three shades of Indigo. Feel, smell and see the brilliance of hand made indigo textiles.

The Little Indigo Museum is housed in the largest thatched house in Kita Village, Miyama.

The Little Indigo Museum is housed in the largest thatched house in Kita Village, Miyama.

These exquisite garments are a heirloom for the future generation.

These exquisite garments are a heirloom for the future generation.

Upstairs in the attic are Indigo textiles from Japan and around the world.

Upstairs in the attic are Indigo textiles from Japan and around the world.

Working Indigo dying vats at the Little Indigo Museum.

Working Indigo dying vats at the Little Indigo Museum.

Hiroyuki Shindo, the curator of the Little Indigo Museum is a wealth of knowledge and insight on all things Indigo.

Three shades of Indigo. Feel, smell and see the brilliance of hand made indigo textiles.

The Little Indigo Museum is housed in the largest thatched house in Kita Village, Miyama.

These exquisite garments are a heirloom for the future generation.

Upstairs in the attic are Indigo textiles from Japan and around the world.

Working Indigo dying vats at the Little Indigo Museum.

It was the summer of 1968. Between the street protests against the Vietnam War and the rapid industrialization of corporate Japan, a young man called Hiroyuki Shindo fell in love with indigo whilst studying at the Kyoto City University of Fine Arts. His love affair with this ancient dye took him to village markets on the other side of the world and back. You can see his lifelong collection at the Little Indigo Museum, a thatched house in Kita Village in the town of Miyama. Like many shops in this village, it is closed for hibernation in winter.

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Bonson Lam

By Bonson Lam

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Evelina Marconi

Evelina Marconi 9 years ago

do you know how to contact the museum for a reservation? I'm travelling from italy, so I would be sure that I can visit it. thank you very much.

Reply

Bonson Lam

Bonson Lam Photographer 9 years ago

The world is now discovering the magic of Miyama village, so you have asked a good question. You don’t need to make a reservation. It could get crowded if a tour bus just pulled up, but if you are there for ½ day there will be quieter moments when you could have this museum to yourself. https://en.japantravel.com/kyoto/the-little-indigo-museum/18364

Reply

Evelina Marconi

Evelina Marconi 9 years ago

do you know how to contact the museum for a reservation? I'm travelling from italy, so I would be sure that I can visit it. thank you very much.

Reply

Bonson Lam

Bonson Lam Photographer 10 years ago

The Little Indigo Museum is open from April 1 to Nov 30.

Reply

Iain Stanley

Iain Stanley 10 years ago

Do you know when it opens up again?

Reply

5 comments in total

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Information

41 Kita, Miyama, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (Directions)

Evelina Marconi

Evelina Marconi 9 years ago

do you know how to contact the museum for a reservation? I'm travelling from italy, so I would be sure that I can visit it. thank you very much.

Reply

Bonson Lam

Bonson Lam Photographer 9 years ago

The world is now discovering the magic of Miyama village, so you have asked a good question. You don’t need to make a reservation. It could get crowded if a tour bus just pulled up, but if you are there for ½ day there will be quieter moments when you could have this museum to yourself. https://en.japantravel.com/kyoto/the-little-indigo-museum/18364

Reply

Evelina Marconi

Evelina Marconi 9 years ago

do you know how to contact the museum for a reservation? I'm travelling from italy, so I would be sure that I can visit it. thank you very much.

Reply

Bonson Lam

Bonson Lam Photographer 10 years ago

The Little Indigo Museum is open from April 1 to Nov 30.

Reply

Iain Stanley

Iain Stanley 10 years ago

Do you know when it opens up again?

Reply

5 comments in total

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