OKINAWA

Travel

VIDEO: Okinawa’s beautiful bingata traditional cloth dyeing

By

Shoji Kudaka

Stripes Okinawa • December 10, 2025

The interior of the gallery shop.

Gallery shop (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

Bingata is a traditional cloth-dyeing method that spans generations and has a 500-year history on Okinawa. This craft consists of colorful patterns painted onto fabric used for tapestries, clothing and more.

In the past, the art was practiced by skilled craftsman, but now studios in Okinawa are opening their doors to a new generation of bingata enthusiasts and tourists. To try my hand and learn more about bingata, I visited Gusuku Bingata, which has been in business for 53 years in Urasoe City.

Gusuku Bingata’s two-story building houses a shop on the first floor selling decorated tapestries and kimonos, hats, baby clothing, t-shirts and more. On the second floor, there is a studio where visitors can practice this age-old art.

Brushes for dyeing.

Studio (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

Guidance for dyeing in English.

Studio (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth, guidance, and some brushes on the table.

Studio (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is dyed.

Studio (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is being dyed.

Studio (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is being dyed.

Studio (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is being dyed.

Studio (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is being dried at Shoji’s home.

Finishing at home (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is being washied at Shoji’s home.

Finishing at home (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is being brushed at Shoji’s home.

Finishing at home (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is being dried at Shoji’s home.

Finishing at home (Photo by Shoji Kudaka / Stripes Okinawa)

A cloth is displayed on the wall of Shoji’s home.

Finishing at home (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

Products are displayed at the gallery shop.

Gallery shop (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

Products are displayed at the gallery shop.

Gallery shop (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

T-shirts are displayed at the gallery shop.

Gallery shop (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

A hanging scroll is displayed at the gallery shop.

Gallery shop (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

Gusuku Bingata gallery/studio

Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (closed on Sun)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.23658, E 127.73356
Free Parking space available.
Website
Make a reservation at here.

Camp Kinser

Futenma Air Base

Shoji Kudaka

Shoji Kudaka is a writer based in Okinawa. Kudaka covers travel, food and culture for Stars and Stripes Okinawa. When he is not exploring the stunning local beaches or going on treks through jungles and caves, you can find him trying out new recipes he shares online and in the paper.