Top Chubu Classes & Workshops

Experience the Samurai spirit through "KENDO," where even beginners can enjoy this traditional martial art in a fun and engaging way. Unlike conventional kendo, this program emphasizes "Kind Enjoy Natural Design Open," making it accessible to all. You’ll not only learn the basics of kendo but also immerse yourself in Japanese culture under the guidance of a skilled instructor who has led his junior high school team to victory in national tournaments. Perfect for adventure seekers, families with children, and those looking to dive deep into Japan's rich traditions, this experience offers an unforgettable cultural encounter that goes beyond the usual tourist attractions.

*Savour 450 Year Old Wisdom and Purify Your Heart *The Power of Words: Kotodama *The Beauty of Graceful Conduct *Refining the Heart to Fulfill Your Mission *Welcome to the Timeless Tradition of Japanese Tea Culture *Discover the Beauty of Japanese Tradition: The Way of Tea *A Special Moment to Savour Japanese Culture *Understanding the Significance of Movements with Thoughtful Explanations *Questions and Curiosity Are Always Welcome *The Tea Ceremony Experience Reflects the Seasons *Passing Down the Spirit of the Tea Ceremony *Aesthetics of the Tea Ceremony and Samurai Hospitality were *Fostered Under the Kaga Hyakumangoku *What is Kaga Hyakumangoku?

Step inside the studio, located near Kanazawa's famous Higashi Chaya Tea District, and take part in a celebratory family meal, prepared for special guests. Every culture has its own ways of marking moments, recognizing the unique times that punctuate ordinary life. In Japan, these special days are called hare no hi — literally “sunny days” — and food has long been a common way to celebrate special events. Many families still maintain older cultural traditions around home-cooked meals ordinarily reserved for extraordinary days. This workshop is centered around a traditional dish from Ishikawa called sasa-zushi, or “bamboo sushi”, still prepared to celebrate special occasions. Every home cook has their own personal twist on the recipe, as these living traditions continue to evolve. The family prepares it all together as a group: first, line a press molds with a layer of sushi rice, add your own choice of toppings, then press, slice, and wrap each individual piece in a bamboo leaf.

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, expertly sharpened and fitted with a cord-wrapped handle by the master blacksmith, and take home a unique memento of your experience.

【A Fully Private Cultural Experience in a Tea Room Surrounded by Nature】 This is not a quick, cheap cultural activity in a busy tourist area. Our experience takes place in a quiet traditional tea room surrounded by nature, where the only sounds you hear are birdsong and the calm atmosphere around you. ・Fully private experience ・Quiet tea room surrounded by nature ・Away from busy tourist crowds ・No rushed or assembly-line style service ・Thoughtfully guided cultural experience ・Designed to satisfy your curiosity about Japanese culture ・A peaceful day to slow down, reflect, and feel truly fulfilled ・Fully available in English Through this experience, you can appreciate the seasons and nature that Japan has long cherished, feel gratitude for the beauty around you, and leave with a refreshed and peaceful mind. We offer a calm and meaningful cultural experience for guests who want to enjoy Japanese culture more deeply, not just take photos and move on.

Echizen ware, which was born in the Heian period, is one of the six ancient kilns in Japan that still continues to produce pottery. Soil that contains a lot of iron has a distinctive red-black color on its surface. This time we will take you to a workshop where Echizen ware is made. You can also view artworks by Taro Okamoto and others at the Echizen Ceramics Village, and learn about the history of Echizen ware at the Echizen Ancient Kiln Museum. Echizen Old Kiln Museum Echizen Ancient Kiln Museum is a museum that opened in 2017. In addition to the Echizen ware museum, there is also the ``Old Mizuno Family Residence,'' an old folk house from Fukui that was relocated, and a full-fledged tea room. Echizen Pottery Village A hands-on museum of Echizen ware. There are many works of art in the facility. Sometimes it's simple pottery for everyday use, sometimes it's a surprising work of art. Why not enjoy Echizen ware, which has many different faces, with all five senses?

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:

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

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.

Forge your own kitchen knife from tamahagane, the same steel used for samurai swords, and take the finished blade home. You work one-on-one with an award-winning young master swordsmith in Seki, Japan's legendary blade town: heating and hammering the steel, applying the clay to set your own hamon (temper line), then grinding, sharpening and fitting the handle. Every step is hands-on, guided in English, using genuine swordsmithing technique scaled to a kitchen knife you'll use for years.

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.

Japanese Wedding Kimono Photoshoot Experience 白無垢&袴 “Dress in traditional Japanese wedding attire — the elegant shiromuku and montsuki hakama — and have your once-in-a-lifetime moments captured by a professional photographer, creating timeless memories to cherish forever.” On clear days, you can enjoy a photoshoot at a scenic location overlooking Mt. Fuji. This is an experience wearing a white wedding kimono and hakama.

Discover the exquisite world of Ushikubi Tsumugi, a designated traditional craft of Ishikawa Prefecture with over 800 years of heritage. Presented in partnership with MIZEN—a luxury fashion house celebrating master craftsmanship—this exclusive experience at Kagano Ooriza (Hakusan Store) brings ancient textile arts to life. Step inside an authentic working atelier to witness master artisans perform the delicate techniques of silk spinning and handloom weaving up close. Watch as skilled hands extract fine silk thread from rare double cocoons (tamamayu) and weave them into breathtaking bolts of fabric. Immerse yourself in a living tradition preserved through generations of passion, feel the connection between heritage and modern luxury, and experience the moving moment an iconic Japanese textile is born.

Make your visit to Lake Kawaguchi even more memorable with a hands-on craft experience. Choose from three activities: sandblasting, beaded strap making, or gel candle making. Rather than simply sightseeing, enjoy creating something with your own hands and turn your time in Kawaguchiko into a lasting memory. All tools and materials required for the activity are prepared at the shop, so no special preparation is needed. You can simply arrive and enjoy the experience during your trip. Bags and protective packing materials are also provided so you can safely take your finished creation home with you. It is more than just a souvenir — it is an experience where you can create something yourself and take it home as a memory of your journey. Perfect for couples, families, friends, and anyone looking to add a creative experience to their Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing.

Introduction to Kaga Yuzen — A brief overview of the history and five signature colors of Kaga Yuzen dyeing Coloring demonstration — Watch an artisan demonstrate the "sashi-iro" hand-painting technique Hands-on painting — Using fine brushes, apply dye to a fabric piece with a flower motif already outlined in rice-paste resist (itome-nori) Finishing and takeaway — Your finished piece is prepared for you to take home You can experience this in a traditional house that is 120 years old.