A natural indigo dyeing workshop is returning to Allbirds Marunouchi on March 20 (Friday, public holiday) and March 21 (Saturday), 2026. Organized in collaboration with "Watanabe's," a family of indigo farmers and dyers based in Kamita-cho, Tokushima Prefecture — the birthplace of traditional Japanese indigo dyeing — the event offers visitors a chance to transform their own shoes or clothing into something uniquely their own.
The workshop is designed around the idea of sustainable living: instead of discarding shoes that are stained or worn, participants can give them new life by dyeing them in the deep, rich blue of natural indigo. Both used Allbirds shoes and new ones can be dyed during the event, and natural fiber apparel is also accepted.
Watanabe's natural indigo, cultivated from Japanese indigo plants (tadeai) grown with great care in Tokushima, produces vibrant, deeply saturated hues that synthetic dyes cannot replicate. During the workshop, participants will hear from instructor Kenta Watanabe about the history of indigo dyeing in Japan and the traditional processes behind it, while experiencing the dyeing process firsthand.
Participant Gift: Special Merino Wool Patch
Every participant will receive a handmade patch created by instructor Kenta Watanabe as a gift. The patches are crafted from offcuts of premium merino wool fabric used in Allbirds products — material that would otherwise go to waste — and have been beautifully dyed in natural indigo. Each patch embodies the spirit of sustainable craft, giving new meaning to what might have been discarded.
Workshop Details
Dates: March 20 (Friday, public holiday) and March 21 (Saturday), 2026, at Allbirds Marunouchi
Session Times:
- Session 1: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Session 2: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Session 3: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Session 4: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Session 5: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fee: ¥3,850 (tax included) per item. If two people dye the same item together, the fee is ¥3,850 in total.
Reservations: Book via the reservation page. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on availability.
Notes:
- Items eligible for dyeing include Allbirds and Goldwin Group products (The North Face, Helly Hansen, Canterbury, icebreaker, etc.), including items purchased on the day, worn apparel, and shoes.
- For apparel, lightweight items such as T-shirts, socks, and caps are recommended.
- Some materials may not absorb the dye due to the properties of natural indigo.
- Children are welcome; those in elementary school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian.
- Aprons and gloves will be provided, but participants are encouraged to wear clothes and shoes that can get stained.
About the Instructor
Kenta Watanabe (Indigo Farmer and Master Dyer)
Originally from Yamagata Prefecture, Kenta Watanabe is based in Kamita-cho, Tokushima, a region renowned for its production of awa-ai (Tokushima indigo). He oversees the entire process from start to finish — cultivating the indigo plant, producing sukumo (the composted indigo used for dyeing), preparing the dye bath, and creating finished works. Committed to preserving Japan's traditional dyeing culture while bringing it new relevance, Watanabe is active both in Japan and internationally. His philosophy centers on handcrafted goods that integrate naturally into everyday life, with each shade of blue a byproduct of dedication to every step of the process and every person involved.
