Taking Fabric Zori Workshops International – Hong Kong Edition

From Tokyo to the World: Expanding Fabric Zori Workshops Across Asia

Before the pandemic, we were actively expanding our workshops overseas, with Hong Kong as one of our key destinations in Asia. Every two months, I flew there to host fabric zori workshops — a fast-paced but incredibly rewarding schedule.

Our very first workshop in Hong Kong welcomed 30 participants over two days. With the tremendous support of Pauline and Joyce, two wonderful local collaborators, we successfully guided everyone to complete their very first pair of fabric zori. These workshops weren’t just classes; they were meaningful opportunities to collaborate with local creators, exchange ideas, and share Japanese craftsmanship with new audiences.

Our main venue was Jolly Thinkers, a lively board game café owned by Joyce. It was the perfect place for people to gather, learn, and connect. Sadly, it has since been closed, but I have countless fond memories of the community we built there. We also held several workshops at “a nice place to,” another creative hub in Hong Kong where local artists and makers gathered. Though it, too, closed during the pandemic, the owner Kiukiu is planning to secure a new space for future workshops, giving us hope for more opportunities to collaborate.

Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding our workshops across Asia. We’ve already hosted sessions in Hong Kong, Taipei, and Taichung — and now, we’re exploring new possibilities in Thailand, mainland China, and beyond. By working closely with local creators in each region, we aim to create unique, culturally rich workshops that connect people through the art of fabric zori.