Kamakura: Meet a 4th-Gen Hanko Master & Create Your Name Seal
1. Meet a Fourth-Generation Master Visit a working Kamakura atelier with a family craft dating back to 1898. Discuss your name directly with the craftsman in English. 2. See Award-Winning Craft View award-winning engravings and tools. Both husband and wife hold Japan’s First-Grade National Trade Skill Certification. 3. Watch a Live Demonstration See traditional engraving techniques up close and ask the craftsman questions. 4. Carve and Stamp a Stone Seal Carve one character with guidance, stamp a keepsake card, and take both home right after the workshop. 5. Design Your Name Hanko A wooden katakana hanko, hand-finished after the session, is included. Collect it at the atelier about four hours later, that afternoon. Kanji and upgrades cost extra. 6. A Small, Unhurried Morning Enjoy a small-group experience in a private atelier setting. Your host, a Zen monk and engraver, creates each seal with good wishes for its owner.
Would you like to brew your own delicious tea? In most tea ceremony workshops, you are not allowed to handle tea utensils. However, in the hands-on classes we host, you can actually touch the utensils and learn the process of brewing tea from scratch. The instructor is a master of the Higashi Abe school. They have taught many students, so they will gently and carefully teach you how to make tea. You are also welcome to take as many pictures as you like to make your experience memorable. We hope you will make your trip to Japan a memorable and enjoyable one.
Food Sample Making Experience with Professionals in Kanagawa
You can make “food samples” The mold is made from the real thing, so it looks just like the real thing Even if it's your first time, it's okay. You will be taught carefully, so you can make it without worries. Menu for the day (Please choose your option in advance) 1) Takoyaki (standard) 2) Tart cakes(option) 3) Bread clock(option) Even with the same ingredients, the finished product will be different for everyone. Please make your own original work of art. You can take them home on the day.
"Yosegi Zaiku" is a traditional Japanese marquetry technique originating from Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture. This craft involves creating intricate geometric patterns by combining pieces of wood of different natural colors and grains. Let's make own traditional "Yosegi Zaiku"coaster! My son, he is 6years old, he enjoyed making coaster. Do not worried, It is easy to make coaster.
Discover Authentic Japanese Calligraphy Introduction To Shodo
At the beginning of the session, the host, a professional calligrapher, will give a brief introduction to the world of Japanese calligraphy. Calligraphy is one of Japan's traditional cultural arts, and enjoying this centuries-old practice will lead to a deeper understanding of the expressive nature of the Japanese language. Before engaging in authentic calligraphy, the host will briefly explain the steps of calligraphy and the tools used. Guests will have ample time in a calm setting to ask questions and chat with the host. The experience concludes with each guest using a brush and ink to write Japanese words and mastering the basics of calligraphy. The host communicates with guests in English and is a calligrapher selected for prestigious exhibitions in Japan. At Kawasaki Shodo School, where the event takes place, we value trust and inclusivity, striving to provide guests with cherished memories.
Ever tried Japanese Calligraphy? Here is the chance to discover one of the most popular Japanese cultures, Shodo. Our cultural tour will be held at a local Gibier bar-restaurant in Kamakura. We offer calligraphy experience, including a short lecture on Japanese letters and basic skills with a brush. After some practice, you will make an artwork on a traditional card to bring back. The tour also comes with one drink offered by the restaurant. If you are interested in the traditional activity with a glass of local drink, this is the tour for you! As we only accept a private group, you can have a relaxed time with your friend or family. Your instructor, who is fluent in English and familiar with beginners, will help you make a unique memory and souvenior from Japan! Note1: The tour is operated in the second floor. A person is required to climb stairs by oneself. (No elevator equipped) Note2: When booking, please confirm your name and gender for the sake of letter list preparation.
Samurai karate and iaido experience for beginners in Kawasaki
Many children are practicing karate-do. You can experience karate together. You will have a chance to meet Japanese children and make new discoveries. You can also learn safe and secure self-defense karate, touch and wield a mock sword, and try on obi belts, do-gi, and hakama. You can also learn the etiquette of Iaido!
Japanese Calligraphy & Hanko Carving Workshop in Kamakura
1. Write, Carve, and Stamp Combine Japanese calligraphy and stone seal carving to complete your own personal artwork. 2. Meet a Fourth-Generation Engraver Visit a working Kamakura atelier with a family craft dating back to 1898. See traditional tools and award-winning engravings. 3. Experience Japanese Calligraphy Practice writing your name or selected Japanese characters with a brush. Learn their meaning with English guidance. 4. Carve Your Own Stone Seal Choose one character and carve it with the craftsman's step-by-step guidance. No experience is needed; tools and materials are provided. 5. Complete Your Work with Your Seal Press your handmade seal onto your calligraphy in red ink. Discover how brushwork and a seal impression come together. 6. Take Home a Meaningful Keepsake Keep your stone seal and finished calligraphy, made in an atelier that welcomes you with good wishes for your happiness.
Lacquer Polishing Create Unique Japanese Tableware
One of the reasons why the Golden Globe-winning "SHOGUN" became a huge hit is its dedication to Japanese beauty and culture, and its uncompromising attitude. Since Washoku (Japanese cuisine) was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 4, 2013, its popularity has skyrocketed. Odawara lacquerware, a traditional craft made in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, was designated as a "Traditional Craft" by the Minister of International Trade and Industry (now the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry) in May 1984. Create your own unique patterned Japanese tableware and continue to feel the world and culture of Washoku even after returning home!
Create Your Own Washi in Hakone – Japanese Art Experience
Perfect for Rainy Days This is a fully indoor experience, so you can enjoy it regardless of the weather. Take It Home Right Away Your finished artwork is ready to take home immediately after the experience. Just 5 Minutes from Hakone-Yumoto Station Easy to add to your Hakone sightseeing itinerary. Authentic Japanese Culture Experience Echizen washi, a traditional Japanese craft with over 1,000 years of history. Easy for Beginners No previous experience or special skills are required. An instructor will guide you. A Souvenir You Make Yourself Instead of buying a souvenir, create your own unique memory of Japan.
Experience Japanese calligraphy using real onsen water in a peaceful ryokan setting. Write on traditional paper or a Japanese hand fan, and take home your one-of-a-kind creation. Relax and connect with the spirit of Hakone through this soothing cultural experience.
Make your Goshuin Stamp Book in Kamakura Retro Café
Start your cultural journey by crafting your own Goshuin stamp book—a treasured item in Japanese spiritual tradition—at a charming, old-style café in Kamakura. Goshuin, meaning ‘honorable red seal,’ originated centuries ago as proof of temple visits and evolved into beautiful calligraphic art combined with unique temple seals. After completing your book, savor coffee carefully roasted by the café owner or a soft drink, paired with a traditional monaka sweet. As you relax, enjoy stories from the owner about Kamakura’s history and culture. Then, take your handmade Goshuin stamp book and explore a nearby famous Hokokuji temple, known as the bamboo temple, and collect an authentic Goshuin stamp—reflections of centuries-old devotion and artistry. At the temple, you can also enjoy matcha at the traditional tea house there. This immersive experience blends tradition, local storytelling, and the serene beauty of Kamakura’s spiritual heritage.
Kamakura: Carve Your Own Stone Seal with a 4th-Gen Master
1. Meet a Fourth-Generation Engraver Visit a working Kamakura atelier with a family craft dating back to 1898. Meet the craftsman and learn in English. 2. Discover Japanese Hanko Culture See traditional tools and award-winning engravings. Learn how personal seals express names and identity in Japan. 3. Choose a Meaningful Character Select one character from the available options and learn its meaning before creating your own mark. 4. Carve Your Own Stone Seal Follow the craftsman's step-by-step guidance. No carving experience is needed, and all tools are provided. 5. Reveal Your First Impression Apply red seal ink and stamp a keepsake card. Take your stone seal and card home immediately after the workshop. 6. Keep a Personal Piece of Japan Enjoy a compact experience alongside your Kamakura sightseeing. Create a seal to cherish and use, in an atelier that welcomes you with good wishes for your happiness.
Shonan: Learn Calligraphy from Last Master of 'Hisseki-jutsu' Art
Do you want to experience the deep side of Japan? This is the first public calligraphy experience activity where you can meet a calligraphy master in this city where you rarely see foreigners. You will enjoy Japanese sweets and tea during the workshop, so there is no need to be nervous. Beginners are also welcome! At the end of the workshop, you will create a T-shirt, hand towel, or tote bag with your name in calligraphy printed on it along with a sumi-e painting by MADARA of your choice, so you can take home a one-of-a-kind original item.
Misaki is located at the tip of the Miura Peninsula, famous as a port for tuna. Not only delicious fresh tuna dishes, Misaki offers one-and-only unique cultural experience such as incense-sachet making and a Big-Catch flag coloring. Historic downtown Misaki has many traditional buildings; and some are renovated to modern shops like coffee roaster. We also enjoy award-winning microbrewery beer and if schedule matches, we will take a bus to Miura Beechh, enjoying magnificent view of great nature in Misaki/Miura region.
This is an instructor-led mindfulness tea ceremony experience where participants are gently guided through each step by facilitator Miki in a peaceful gallery setting in Kamakura. Unlike a formal tea ceremony that requires kneeling on tatami mats, this experience is held in a relaxed table-style setting, so guests can enjoy the Way of Tea while sitting comfortably on chairs. In a calm Kamakura gallery, guests first experience tea as a participant, then learn the meaning and movements behind the ceremony, and finally prepare and serve matcha themselves. The experience gently connects Japanese tradition with breathing, posture, gratitude, and presence. More than a cultural activity, it is a mindful experience you can carry into everyday life.
Unlike typical tourist experiences, our community dinner offers authentic cultural exchange with local Kamakura residents in an intimate home-like setting, creating genuine connections and insider knowledge that guidebooks can't provide. What makes us special: INTIMATE SETTING: Maximum 8 guests in our cozy shared living space - feel like you're visiting Japanese friends, not attending a commercial tour PERSONALIZED MATCHING: We connect you with locals based on your interests - meet artists, historians, families, or longtime residents who share your passions ️ HANDS-ON COOKING: Learn traditional Japanese home cooking techniques using fresh seasonal ingredients from Kamakura's famous Renbai farmers market CULTURAL STORIES: Discover 1000+ years of Kamakura history through personal stories, from samurai heritage to modern community life ️ INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Get recommendations for hidden gems, local-priced shops, and secret spots that only residents know
This hands-on workshop lets you create and learn about Japan's unique food sample culture. Enjoyable for all ages, from children to adults, it's perfect for first-timers. Experience both traditional sushi candle-making using wax and lifelike food sample creation. Discover the secrets and history behind their lifelike appearance through easy-to-understand explanations. Take your finished creations home as souvenirs—a uniquely Japanese experience you'll cherish forever.
Craft a Pair of Chopsticks Made Just for You Create a one-of-a-kind pair of chopsticks in a historic city with over 1,000 years of tradition. This immersive experience lets you work alongside skilled artisans to shape natural wood into your very own chopsticks. Carefully adjusted to fit your hands down to the millimeter, they offer an exceptional level of comfort and usability. You can even have your name engraved on them. Why not take home a lifelong keepsake that carries the memories of your journey and a place at your dining table?
About 40 minutes from Tokyo, enjoy a relaxing indigo dyeing experience in a quiet, green setting. Meet your guide and travel together to Ikuta Ryokuchi. At the Traditional Indigo Dyeing Workshop inside the park(Dento Kogeikan), join a hands-on indigo dyeing workshop using natural Japanese indigo. You will dye the item selected at booking and create your own unique pattern. Please note that dyeing personal items such as T-shirts or bags is not permitted. A local instructor explains each step, with English interpretation provided by your guide, making it easy for beginners. The workshop lasts about 1.5 hours. Take your finished piece home as a special souvenir from Japan. Afterward, you may return to the station with your guide or explore the nearby Japan Open Air House Museum, featuring 25 designated historic houses. Notes: Indigo dye has a natural scent. Some steps require squatting, and clothes may get slightly dirty, so please wear comfortable attire.