Arimatsu

Arimatsu is a historic district in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It is known for preserving an Edo-period townscape and for a long-standing textile dyeing tradition that remains active today. The area is often associated with Arimatsu-Narumi shibori, a traditional indigo tie-dye technique that has played a central role in the local craft economy for centuries.

Historically, Arimatsu developed as a post station along the Tōkaidō, the main road connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo period. The town served travelers and merchants passing along the route, and its prosperity was closely tied to the dyeing trade and the sale of dyed fabrics across the region. The main street preserves many wooden machiya-style houses and shopfronts, offering a tangible link to the Edo-era landscape.

The centerpiece of Arimatsu’s craft is Arimatsu-Narumi shibori, a method of binding, stitching, and tying fabric before dyeing to create intricate patterns. The technique uses resist methods to produce geometric and nature-inspired designs, typically on natural fibers and commonly dyed in indigo. The craft remains active, with artisans, workshops, and shops that demonstrate traditional methods and sell finished textiles.

Today, Arimatsu attracts visitors interested in traditional crafts, architecture, and Japanese cultural history. Visitors can view demonstrations, visit workshops, and purchase dyed textiles, while the preserved street provides a sense of the Edo-period townscape. The district thus functions as both a cultural repository and a living center for shibori craft.