Japanese Tea Towels

Description

These lightweight Japanese hand towels are long, narrow, and designed for everyday use. Woven in cotton with a smooth, printed surface on one side and a light terry texture on the other, they’re absorbent without being bulky and dry quickly between uses. Traditionally used in Japan as hand towels, face cloths, travel towels, or utility cloths, they’re valued for their versatility and ease of care. We think these make a great gift.

We currently offer five designs:

Great Wave Towel — A classic wave motif in deep blue, inspired by Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

Cherry Blossom Towel — Cascading sakura blossoms in soft pink, red, and white, evoking the fleeting beauty of spring.

Crane & Fuji Towel — Cranes in flight over Mount Fuji and a rising sun, rendered in indigo and red. Cranes are a traditional symbol of longevity and good fortune in Japanese culture.

Mt. Fuji Towel — A minimalist depiction of Mount Fuji in deep indigo, with its 3,776-meter elevation marked in Japanese numerals beside the peak.

Sumo Yoga Towel — A larger, playful illustrated towel depicting yoga poses performed by sumo wrestlers, alongside traditional sumo roles. At 49″ × 24″, it’s significantly larger than our other four towels — close to the size of a light body towel — and works well as a yoga or exercise towel, for display, or for everyday utility use.

All towels are made in Japan from 100% cotton.

Product Details
Great Wave, Cherry Blossom, Crane & Fuji, Mt. Fuji: 39″× 13.5″
Sumo Yoga: 49″× 24″
Material: 100% cotton
Made in Japan

FAQs

What are these towels traditionally used for?
In Japan, towels like these serve as hand towels, face cloths, travel towels, or general utility cloths. Their long, narrow shape makes them versatile for everyday use.

What’s the difference between the Sumo Yoga Towel and the other four?
The Sumo Yoga Towel is considerably larger, at 49″ × 24″ versus 39″ × 13.5″ for the other designs — closer to the size of a light body towel. This makes it well suited as a yoga or exercise towel, for display, or as a larger utility cloth, in addition to everyday towel use.

What do the designs represent?
Each design draws on a different aspect of Japanese art and culture. The Great Wave is inspired by Hokusai’s famous woodblock print. Cherry blossoms (sakura) symbolize the fleeting, transient beauty of life. Cranes represent longevity and good fortune. The Mt. Fuji towel marks the mountain’s actual elevation, 3,776 meters, in Japanese numerals. The Sumo Yoga Towel offers a playful, illustrated take on yoga poses performed by sumo wrestlers.

What are they made from?
All five towels are 100% cotton, made in Japan, with a smooth printed side and a light terry reverse.

How do I care for them?
Machine washable. We recommend cold or warm water and low heat drying to help preserve the print’s color and detail over time.