People going to the quilt expo are also interested in the blue dye process here. I eventually found a possible shop on google in the Asakusa district, on a side street to the main one, Fabric Str. It required a 20 min train ride with one stop, and a 1km walk before and after. Fabric street was no longer so; I had to cajole Hilary into continuing, but, with the great help of google and maps.me, we found this small entrance to a long room. There the guys make up the dye in vats, dipping cloth into them as tie-dye or complete cloth. The smell is strong, and their hands a stained blue. Could this have been be pre blue jeans? They gave us a map to their outlet shop 600m away, which turned out to be very small with a limited display. But McDonalds and 7/11 were near for a lunch in the mall on the edge of the markets surrounding Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji. The malls are often roofed over the cute shops and stalls selling a wide variety of goods and foods; everywhere is clean. We bought a nice cultured fresh-water pearl necklace, Hilary envied the stuffed toy cats, while I fidgeted to get to the temple.
Today was Buddha Day (ie holy) so kimonos were in vogue. The temple gate is separated from the temple by market stalls, Nakamise Shopping Street, a centuries-old promenade of shops selling traditional snacks and souvenirs like kimonos and bottles of sake. but the temple court yard is clear – except for people of course, doing the usual things, like burning incense to wave the smoke over their head like washing, and praying in the temple if front of a buddha. We found a cherry tree in early blossom before departing for the nearest station. The street and train station signs are very useful once google or maps.me get you near.
Blue Dye 
Blue Dye 
Blue Dye 
Lunch 
Senso-ji 
Senso-ji 
Senso-ji 
Senso-ji 
Senso-ji 