Top Chubu Classes & Workshops - page 2

Our Washi Studio connects its history and produces Japanese paper the old-fashioned way.The origin of this paper is not certain, but one theory is that it has been made since the Heian period (794–1185) and has a history spanning approximately 1,000 years. In the Edo period (1603–1867),Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of this period, used this paper as the official paper of the Tokugawa shogunate. Production of this paper was once discontinued due to the Western paper technology, but it was revived by local volunteers. We cultivate raw materials for the paper while utilizing fallow rice fields. And we consequently use the raw materials to manufacture the paper, developing and selling the products throughout the process.We also actively promote Japanese paper culture by offering hands-on paper-making experiences and studio tours.

Make sushi with fresh seasonal fish Every morning the chef visits the market and carefully selects the best local fish for the day. In this course, you can taste Nigita's local fish (for example “Noppe”) that had been caught that very morning. Become an expert of sushi making and eating Did you know that sushi gripping method differs depending on the ingredients? You must subtly change the force of your grip and the manner of your grasp. A professional sushi chef will give an easy to understand lecture on all the secrets! You can become a sushi-grip expert!

By contemplating authentic bonsai rooted in centuries of Japanese tradition, and encountering firsthand the skill and knowledge of the master who tends them, you'll connect with the deeper essence of Japanese culture.

Kanazawa is famously known as the city of arts and crafts, and while you can find art workshops throughout Japan that you can easily participate in, it is rare to find one like yours that offers you a chance to truly experience Japan's traditional arts in the form of paulownia woodcrafts, as well as an opportunity to step inside an actual workshop and have a conversation with the artisan who has dedicated their life to pursue arts. Your translator will be there to ensure that the communication between you and the artist is as smooth as possible, and you will be able to bring home with you a traditional paulownia wood coaster that you make yourself!

Experience the Living History of Seto Step into a world of timeless craftsmanship at a kiln that has served the Owari Tokugawa family for centuries. Under the personal guidance of the 31st-generation head, you will discover the secrets of "Ofukai-ware" while engraving your own original patterns into the clay. This is more than a workshop; it is a rare opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that captures your unique travel story. Your finished work will be mailed to your home, serving as a lasting memory of your connection to the soul of Japanese heritage.

■ Experience Highlights ・Held in a traditional Kanazawa machiya townhouse ・Small-group setting ・English-friendly ・Participation is optional and relaxed (no pressure) ・Made with fresh local ingredients ・Warm, home-visit atmosphere ・Includes local sightseeing tips Please note: This is not a formal cooking class.

Experience traditional calligraphy in this beautiful building. Enjoy a delicious local meal for lunch. If you wish, we can frame your calligraphy work for an additional fee. In the afternoon, you can visit the traditional Otaki Shrine and pray for improvement in your handwriting.

Step into a renovated Kanazawa townhouse and immerse yourself in the world of glass art. Begin with a guided tour of the gallery, where the artist will introduce you to their works and share the stories behind them. Next, head to the workshop and learn about the glass-making process through videos and real-life examples. Discover the intricacies of hot work, kiln work, and cold work, and gain a deeper appreciation for the craft. Finally, create your own glass art piece. Choose your design, draw it on the glass, and use a sandblasting machine to carve it. Watch as your design emerges, creating a one-of-a-kind piece that you can take home.

You can experience the famous glass production in Toyama Prefecture. You can experience the delicate techniques of the Japanese from the glass production of the burner work, and you can take it home as a memory of that time. Please enjoy the world of glass made with 2500-degree flames that you can't usually feel.

Local guides will take you to spots that have long been beloved by the locals. You will be taught the experience of sushi, a traditional Japanese meal, by a professional trained at a high-end sushi restaurant in Ginza. You will stand at the sushi counter, where you would normally never be able to stand. I will take you to an Onsen where travelers are never allowed to enter. We will take you to secret Onsen that only the locals go to. Please enjoy deep Kofu.

At the long-established Taishoan Kamaharu Main Shop, the birthplace of kama-age udon, you can enjoy a hands-on program where you dress in traditional craftsman attire and experience authentic udon-making. Roll the dough, knead it with your feet, stretch it with a rolling pin, and cut it with a knife. Afterwards, boil the noodles you made yourself and savor them together with freshly prepared tempura—a truly special experience. While cooking, the shop owner will explain how wheat becomes noodles and share historical records about Tokugawa Ieyasu, the great shogun born in Okazaki, who was known to love udon. As a souvenir, you’ll receive a craftsman’s hat to take home. The shop is conveniently located right in front of the station, making train access easy. After your experience, you can also enjoy sightseeing nearby at famous attractions such as the Hatcho Miso Brewery and Okazaki Castle. We warmly invite you to join us for this unique cultural experience!

I teach snowboarding in a heavy snowfall area in Yuzawa, that is an hour away from Tokyo by Shinkansen. The venue is in a ski resort located at Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture, which is a heavy snowfall area that can be reached from Tokyo in just over an hour by bullet train. I will film with a GoPro if you wish. I am a Japanese guy and I have a snowboarding certification at the 2nd level. I speak fluent English. I also have a certified public accountant qualification of the United States. I lived in Manhattan and Philadelphia for 2 years previously. The lesson is suitable for beginners. Below is an example of the itinerary. 8:15 am: Meet at JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station. Move to a ski resort by free bus. 8:45 am: Arrive at the ski resort. Rent equipment and change clothes. 9:30 am: Start lesson. Noon: Lesson ends. We will NOT provide stuff below. - Ski ticket (1-day ticket) - snowboard - snowboard wear - goggle - hat - gloves - Helmet - Shinkansen ticket to the nearest station

Experience the artistry of Yamanaka Shikki, one of Japan’s most prestigious traditional crafts. This immersive program offers a rare, close-up look at the intricate production process, accompanied by an insightful guide to its rich history and time-honored techniques. After the tour, unleash your creativity with a hands-on painting session using authentic urushi (lacquer). Unlike standard workshops, this special program allows you to use a variety of vibrant colors. Whether you choose to recreate timeless Japanese motifs or design something entirely original, you’ll enjoy a perfect blend of tradition and self-expression.

Tour highlights -Create your own authentic Japanese knife with a blacksmith in service for 200 years -Pound iron with your own two hands in the historical setting of a rural Japanese living museum -Learn the rural lifestyle techniques of a seasoned craftsman -Stroll through Asuke’s historic townscape with its roots in prehistory -Finish your totally unique, handcrafted knife in one day, ready to take home. Tour details This Toyota Green Life Experience tour invites you to craft your own knife in historic Asuke under the guidance of seventh-generation blacksmith Yuto Hirose. Learn traditional forging techniques as you shape a blade from scratch over open flames. In the afternoon, explore Asuke’s Edo-period streets and enjoy local specialties such as wild boar dishes or gohei mochi. Finally, pick up your finished knife—sharpened by the master—and complete the handle to take home a unique memento of your experience.

Kinkori Shikkiten is a lacquerware shop run by brothers in Kawada, the town of Echizen lacquerware. In this experience, you will receive direct instruction from Mr. Masataka Kinkori, a craftsman at Kinkori Shikkiten, and experience painting lacquer on a wooden tray. The tray, which can be used for serving meals or as a tray for snacks, will make your ordinary foods for appealing. Guests will get to use the craftsman's tools for an authentic crafting experience. They will also get to learn about lacquerware from Mr. Kinkori who has years of lacquerware making experience.

Let's share knowledge such as the history of Japanese architecture, the construction of Japanese houses, and how to use carpentry tools with 58 years of carpentry experience. ・We will respond individually to a small number of people. ( Basically, we recruit 2 people, but if there are more than 3 people in the same group, consultation is required) ・You can learn the construction of wooden Japanese houses. ・You can learn how to use carpentry tools. ・If you participate in this activity, you will be the next precious successor of Japanese carpenters!

Swap Kanazawa sightseeing for the perfect foodie experience—a hands-on sushi-making lesson in a traditional house. No need to worry about bringing anything with you, as all ingredients and utensils are included. During the lesson, use local produce to make colorful and very Instagram-worthy “temari” sushi with your favorite ingredients and toppings. At the end, feast on your creations and round off the experience with a mini-tea ceremony.

Kanazawa is famously known as the city of arts, and while you can find art workshops throughout Japan that you can easily participate in, it is rare to find one like ours that offers you a chance to truly experience Kanazawa's traditional arts in the form of Yuzen, as well as an opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with the artisan who has dedicated their life to making it. Our translator will be there to ensure that the communication between you and the artist is as smooth as possible, and you will be able to bring home with you a memorable souvenir that you make yourself!

Kanazawa is one of the three major confectionery areas in Japan. The Sono Residence was built in 1921, and each room of the residence and its tea ceremony room was built under the guidance of the Omotesenke Iemoto, a master of the Omotesenke school of tea ceremony, for use in tea ceremonies　In this program, you can experience making seasonal Japanese sweets with a Japanese confectionary chef, and then you can experience the tea

Guests will get to learn about the lens making process at Inui Lens which produces high quality lenses. You will get to see the rarely seen behind the scenes of a lens making factory. You will then make your own sunglasses by fitting your favorite lenses into your own eyeglass frame (you'll need your own frame or you can purchase one at the store for an additional fee). There are more than 300 kinds of colors. You can make a one-of-a-kind sunglass that is suited to you. After the experience, take a break with a soft serve ice cream or a special coffee at the cafe in Lens Park!

Discover the story of Japanese food culture and the spirit of Zen hidden in a bowl of miso soup. Join a guided tour of Komego Miso, a traditional miso brewery that has been producing Japan’s essential fermented seasoning for about 200 years, and deepen your understanding of Japanese cuisine and fermentation culture. At the end of the experience, enjoy a delicious bowl of miso soup made by your own hands. - The experience is guided in English by expert staff from Komego Miso, who share their deep knowledge of miso and Japanese food culture. - You will explore the inside of an active miso brewery where miso is still produced using traditional methods. - You will prepare miso soup and grilled miso rice balls together. The menu is vegan-friendly, so both vegan and non-vegan guests can enjoy the experience together.

Just a 40-minute ride on a charmingly local train from Shinkansen Kakegawa Station takes you to a hidden gem — a wonderland of Japanese culture that remains undiscovered by many. Moreover there will be no long line to wait. Explore traditional shrines, try your hand at kyudo (Japanese archery) or calligraphy, savor authentic Japanese cuisine and ramen, and admire stunning Japanese pottery. With an English-speaking guide, you can enjoy a relaxed tour filled with cultural experiences and unforgettable memories.

Visitors can actually see and experience traditional Japanese arts. In particular, visitors can actually ride on floats of the size used in the float festivals. Through interaction with local people, visitors can get a deeper insight into local culture. Proceeds with easy-to-follow explanations by the museum's expert guides.

Private Japanese dance lesson taught by a highly skilled female instructor with over 8 years of cultural arts experience in Japan and the U.S. Supported by a certified kimono dresser and cultural arts specialist who provides English interpretation throughout the lesson Ideal for international guests, beginners, families, and especially children Learn refined traditional dance movements and perform a complete short piece Dances taught (by difficulty): “Sakura Sakura,” “Haru yo Koi,” “Togetsukyo” Includes yukata dressing, tabi socks, and all dance props—adjusted for choreography and comfort Held at Hagijian, a beautiful traditional Japanese house with a tea room Enjoy a vast 700‑tsubo Japanese garden and breathtaking hilltop views Immersive cultural experience combining dance, kimono, and Japanese aesthetics Perfect for couples, families, small groups, and culture‑focused travelers Maximum group size: