The Land of Orioles in the Sea Breeze—On "Tango"
Kyoto, there are two versions.
One is familiar to you and me: the stone steps of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the vermilion and tranquility of Hanamikoji Street, and the aroma of matcha wafting from the teahouse;
The other is hidden in the north of Kyoto Prefecture—Tango, a place surrounded by the Sea of Japan and pine forests, and known as the "Kyoto of the Sea".
This is not the first stop for tourists, but it is the final resting place for many veteran craftsmen and designers.
The Tango Peninsula has been an important gateway to China since ancient times, bringing together different cultures and textile dyeing techniques, and giving rise to a lifestyle completely different from that of Kyoto.
It has a history – people have lived there since before the Common Era, leaving behind a wealth of myths and ancient tomb culture;
The landscape features a combination of sea, mountains, fields, and forests, creating a slow-paced landscape where nature and culture intertwine.
There is also a purity that time has never taken away—no noise, no restlessness, just quietly breathing in the seasons.
Tango is not just a place name; it is a way of life, a texture of time.
The Breathing of a Thousand-Year-Old Fabric: A Brief History of Tango Fabrics
Tango is one of Japan's three major textile production areas, renowned for its weaving techniques since the Nara period (8th century). It is best known for "Tango Chirimen"—a high-grade silk fabric with delicate folds and a soft sheen, still a top choice for kimono fabrics today.
The textile industry here is not just about appearance, but an entire ecosystem of "weaving":
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Raw silk dyeing
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Cocoon and silkworm farming
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Textured paper design
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Hand-weaving and machine-weaving workshops
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Processing, cutting, design and overseas export
In the past, more than 10,000 residents of Tango were involved in the textile industry. However, as times progressed and industries moved out, the remaining workshops chose a different path—not mass production, but a renewed understanding of the connection between "a piece of cloth" and "a person".
This is the background to the birth of Kuska Fabric.
Kuska Fabric: Weaving the Future by Hand
Kuska Fabric's founding philosophy is extremely simple: "To rediscover the value of handmade fabrics in the world."
The current president, Mr. Takahiko Kusunoki, was born into a family of textile manufacturers and officially took over the family business in 2007. At that time, Tango textiles were facing a serious decline. Instead of letting the brand remain at its past glory, he embarked on a transformation journey from a "weaving workshop" to a "global cultural brand".
His strategy is very clear:
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We insist on using entirely hand-weaving techniques and do not rely on mechanized production.
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Instead of competing on price, we pursue craftsmanship and design essence.
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Treating "a tie" as a cultural product
Yes, ties are Kuska's most iconic and signature product.
These handmade ties, crafted with natural dyes and hand-weaving techniques, possess a unique luster and texture that not only makes them easily identifiable but also conveys a sense of the passage of time. Each tie is the culmination of a craftsman's work, completed entirely in Tango from silk selection to weaving, symbolizing the way this land engages with the world.
Kuska's story extends beyond Japan.
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Huntsman, a prestigious boutique on Savile Row in London, has selected Kuska ties for its stores . Huntsman is also a major filming location for the famous movie "Kingsman," symbolizing the world's top menswear brand's recognition of Kuska.
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BMW and Kuska have collaborated to launch the concept car "X7 NISHIKI LOUNGE" , which incorporates Kuska's handmade fabrics into the center console trim and is titled "A Collaboration between BMW and a Master Japanese Craftsman", attracting great attention from the global automotive and design industries.
Starting with a tie, Kuska is bringing the meticulousness and dedication of Tango textiles to the forefront of high-end design, fashion, and automotive craftsmanship worldwide.
But what's most captivating about Kuska is returning to the workshop itself—
The unadorned textures, the creaking handloom, and the focused expressions on the faces of the artisans.
This is a brand story, and also a lifestyle choice.
Tango Two-Day One-Night Hands-on Experience: Unveiling a Landscape with Your Own Hands
To truly understand Kuska, it's not just about "buying," but about "participating"—personally stepping into Tango and experiencing the breath and texture of this land firsthand. Here's a two-day, one-night itinerary planned for you by Yura:
Day 1 | Departure from Kyoto → Tango
Morning | Depart from Kyoto by local train or chartered car to Tango City
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The journey takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, offering scenic views of the Japanese coastline along the way.
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You can choose to stop at Amanohashidate along the way to visit one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.
Lunch at a local restaurant after lunch | Yu Dan
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We recommend trying the local fresh fish set meal or the seasonal royal meal featuring Tango vegetables.
Afternoon | Kuska Fabric Workshop Visit
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Visit the hand-weaving process and watch a demonstration of the loom.
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Experience the feel and texture of the fabric
Evening | Check into a local boutique hotel and enjoy a peaceful night.
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We recommend choosing a townhouse-style guesthouse or a sea-view hot spring inn.
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A fabric-themed dinner party or evening meditation session could be arranged.
Day 2｜Tango→ Return to Kyoto
Morning | Visit to Create EBARA Workshop
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Explore the history of paper design and Tango Shrine in Myanmar.
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Learn how traditional patterns became prototypes for contemporary fashion fabrics.
Lunch at noon | Enjoy a local lunch before heading back
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I recommend visiting a restaurant converted from an abandoned school to experience the slow food culture.
Afternoon | Take a car back to Kyoto city, end of the trip.
For those who enjoy tranquil travel
This is not a trip to "visit a few places", but a deep experience of dialogue with cloth and communication with the land.
You will remember the smell of the sea breeze in Tango, the softness of the fabric slipping through your fingers, and the artisans who wove life into countless threads.
Kuska fabric is more than just a piece of cloth; it's a landscape, and a reason for you to slow down and appreciate it.
Highly recommended itinerary combinations
✔ You can add a visit to Create Ebara workshop in Tango, Myanmar.
✔ Can be combined with "rattan cloth" experiences, visits to local breweries, and nature trail hikes.
✔ Provide customized team itineraries for brand clients, design industry professionals, and curators.