Workshops with a Maker in Japan: Choosing Between 15

Tokyo Sumo Experience: Chanko & Mochi with a Former Pro - Mochi pounding is the most unusual hands-on activity

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 567 reviews · 2 hours · from $103Our pick

In Ryogoku, Tokyo’s sumo district, you’ll watch former professional wrestlers demonstrate techniques, eat chanko nabe, pound mochi, and step onto the dohyo for a friendly bout. The two-hour event is conducted in English and Japanese, with assigned seating and plenty of family participation. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available with advance notice.

“Amazing, I made sure to take part in every activity and it made it o e of the most unique and vest experiences”

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Kintsugi Experience: Art of Golden Joinery in Tokyo

2.Kintsugi Experience: Art of Golden Joinery in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 467 reviews · from $59Top rated

At TNCA Minami-Aoyama, you’ll learn basic kintsugi with a supplied ceramic plate, gold-mixed lacquer, and guidance from an English-speaking instructor. The one-hour class covers both technique and Japanese aesthetics. The 11:00am session may include Master Taku. You’ll wear a samue craft garment and take your finished piece home.

“This is a very fun activity for people to get a taste of the art of Kintsugi. The instructor was Japanese and spoke very good English so you will be comfortable in either language. The studio is small, intimate, and interesting.”

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Tokyo Chopstick Making Workshop with Artisan

3.Tokyo Chopstick Making Workshop with Artisan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 466 reviews · from $26

At a small workshop in Tokyo’s Taito craft district, you’ll shape, smooth, and finish your own wooden chopsticks with guidance from a local artisan. Choose from several woods, with extra charges for premium materials and engraving. The session suits beginners, families, and solo visitors, and your finished pair is wrapped to take home.

“This is a fun activity for everyone. Rasmus and Sakura where very informative and helpful. We came away with some very nice chopsticks that they even engraved for us. There is an extra cost for the more expensive woods and the engraving if you want it, but worth it for the final product.”

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Tokyo: Matcha Making Experience with Mochi Sweets in Asakusa

4.Matcha Making Experience with Mochi Sweets in Asakusa

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 388 reviews · 1 hour · from $22

In a one-hour seated class near Asakusa Station, you’ll learn matcha history, answer a light quiz, and whisk your own tea with traditional tools. English-speaking instructors such as Mana, Ken, Hayato, Hiyo, and Yui keep the lesson relaxed and clear. Matcha and Japanese sweets are included, with Tokyo Skytree nearby.

“I had such a great time at this matcha class! I learned so much about the preparation and proper techniques for making matcha, and the hands-on experience made it even more fun. The instructor was knowledgeable and welcoming, and the whole class felt relaxed and engaging. Highly recommend for anyone who loves matcha or wants to learn something new!”

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Authentic knife making experience at a blacksmith in Kyoto

5.Authentic knife making experience at a blacksmith in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 350 reviews · 3 hours · from $154

At Studio NIN in Kyoto’s Sakyo-ku, Mao and the blacksmithing team guide you through forging, shaping, sharpening, and polishing a 13 to 15 cm kitchen knife. You wear traditional smith’s clothing, work with hot steel, and take home your finished blade in a box and bag. English and Japanese instruction is available.

“A really fun experience! The young, friendly team explains everything clearly and is always there to help fix any mistakes – and by the end, you get your very own knife as a unique souvenir!”

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Osaka: Traditional Mochi Pounding Experience with Tasting

6.Traditional Mochi Pounding Experience with Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 306 reviews · 1 hour · from $31

In a small group of up to four, you’ll learn mochi’s cultural background, mash and pound steamed glutinous rice with traditional tools, shape your treats, and taste them with kinako, red bean paste, nori, and sweet soy sauce. English and Chinese instruction is available, with guides such as Seina, Taka, and Misaki leading the session.

“The owners are very friendly and engaging. It was an amazing experience and I strongly recommend it.”

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TokyoSumoShow, ChickenHotPot, and Mochi-Pounding by Pro Wrestlers

7.TokyoSumoShow, ChickenHotPot, and Mochi-Pounding by Pro Wrestlers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 226 reviews · from $106

At SUMOLAND Tokyo Ryogoku, former top-division wrestlers explain sumo, perform short bouts, teach techniques, and invite you into the ring. You’ll eat chicken chanko hot pot, help pound mochi, take photos, and enjoy a lively 90-minute to two-hour program. It is designed for adults and children, not a formal tournament or morning practice.

“Great all round show and food. Informative, fun, interactive and not rushed. Would reccomend. Great staff.”

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Authentic Pure Gold Kintsugi Workshop with Master Taku in Tokyo

8.Authentic Pure Gold Kintsugi Workshop with Master Taku in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · from $142

At TNCA Minami-Aoyama Studio, ceramic artist Taku Nakano guides you through authentic kintsugi using natural urushi lacquer and pure gold powder. Choose a rustic plate, black plate, or decorative yobitsugi repair, then take your finished piece home. The small class has no more than five participants and lasts about 90 to 110 minutes.

“Incredible opportunity to dive deep into this delightful art form and Japanese life philosophy with a master in the craft. So grateful to Taku Nakano for his patience and sharing his expertise in kintsugi which allowed me to learn and create at n aRead more”

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From Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Art

9.Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Art

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 180 reviews · 1 day · from $180

Travel from Kanazawa through the Hokuriku mountains to Inami, Gokayama, and Shirakawa-go with an English-speaking guide. See Zuisenji Temple’s remarkable carvings, make traditional Japanese paper, tour thatched farmhouses, and enjoy free time. Guides such as Daniel, Mike, and Garrett are known for clear local stories and friendly help. Lunch is not included.

“Due to lack of other tourists it was excellent „private tour”… 🙂”

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Roketsu dyeing experience: M course Roketsu Dyeing Experience

10.Roketsu dyeing experience: M course Roketsu Dyeing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · from $25

At Roketsu73 in western Kyoto, you draw and dye your own fabric using traditional bucket dyeing and wax-resist methods. Choose from many stencil designs or bring a sketch, then work with the owner and his mother, Yoko, through each stage. Pick a T-shirt, tote bag, hanging, or banner and take your finished piece home that day. Allow 90 minutes to 3 hours for detailed work.

“We discovered this small tie dyeing studio in the outskirts of Kyoto, run by a mom and pop. It turned out to be one of the best, most authentic experiences we did in Japan. No art skills needed; you’ll get all the help you want or need. You end up with a great souvenir to wear or hang in your home.”

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Tokyo: Knife Making Workshop (Sharpening, Engraving)

11.Knife Making Workshop (Sharpening, Engraving)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 153 reviews · 1h 30m · from $161

At BUB Activity Center in Asakusa, choose a Japanese kitchen knife, sharpen it under friendly English-speaking guidance, engrave your name, and attach the handle. Guides such as Mori, Agata, Lisa, and Joe help beginners through each step. The 90-minute session includes tea, snacks, packaging, and a custom key-holder.

“I love how attentive and engaging every trainer was! Communications were crystal clear with how fluent our trainers were!”

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Tokyo: Chopstick Making Workshop with Artisan

12.Chopstick Making Workshop with Artisan

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 122 reviews · 1 hour · from $16

At Hashiyuki Chopsticks Shop & Workshop in Taito, you’ll shape, sand, and finish your own wooden chopsticks with English-speaking staff such as Angie, Yuki, and Chihiro. Choose from more than 10 woods, add optional engraving, and leave with a useful Tokyo keepsake after about an hour.

“It was awesome. Yuki was really nice, he explained everything. You can choose your own wood. It was a great experience. Thank you !”

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Experience all of Japanese culture and Japanese food experience classes “origami, udon, Japanese food, green tea, calligraphy” in 4 hours

13.Experience all of Japanese culture and Japanese food experience classes “origami, udon, Japanese food, green tea, calligraphy” in 4 hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $92

Meet Taka at JR Omori Station, then walk to his home for four hours of hands-on Japanese culture. Fold an origami crane, knead udon, prepare sushi and gyoza, enjoy tempura, drink sake or soft drinks, make matcha, and take home calligraphy of your name from Keiko. This private experience welcomes vegetarian and vegan menus.

“Great experience for our family to learn some more about Japanese food and culture. We travelled for 3 weeks with our family with 2 boys 7 & 8 years old and this was such a valuable session to feel more connected to and understand JapanRead more”

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Kyoto Michelin Ramen Workshop or Painting Ramen Essentials

14.Kyoto Michelin Ramen Workshop or Painting Ramen Essentials

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 100 reviews · from $54

Spend about an hour making noodles with Musoshin’s English-speaking team, then enjoy ramen at its Kyoto restaurant. Depending on your booking, you can paint a bowl or spoon, receive workshop items, and design a bowl that can be kiln-fired for free and collected the next day. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

“This was a fun and delicious experience for the whole family, with a very friendly owner and staff! We found out just before doing it that our son has celiac disease and they ensured he could still enjoy it by getting in special gluten free noodles and very kindly cooking him his own gluten free soup. The bowls were fun to do (but if you use the pink, add it on thick to show up properly!)”

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Kyoto: Ramen Bowl Painting and Michelin Cooking Class

15.Ramen Bowl Painting and Michelin Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 96 reviews · 1 hour - 90 minutes · from $64

At Musoshin Ramen Academy in Kyoto, you paint a ramen bowl or spoon, then assemble a bowl using handmade noodles, 12-hour broth, roast pork, and restaurant-prepared toppings. English-speaking hosts such as Shin guide the class, take photos, and explain the process. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free ramen options are available.

“This cooking class was so much fun, would highly recommend whilst in Kyoto and the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. 10/10 would do it again in a heartbeat.”

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