Top Kamakura Classes & Workshops

Immerse yourself in the heart of Kamakura with a unique blend of culture and nature. Begin your journey at a traditional Kamakura house, where you'll learn to craft nerikiri, exquisite Japanese sweets, under the guidance of a skilled craftswoman. After mastering the art of sweet-making, embark on a scenic trek from Kita-Kamakura to the iconic Great Buddha. This two-hour hike winds through lush landscapes, with a refreshing stop at the Sky Cafe for snacks and stunning views, potentially including Mount Fuji. Should the weather turn, a fascinating indoor alternative awaits, featuring a tour of the Old House Museum and the serene Meigetsuin Temple.

In this course, you can learn "truly effective mindfulness" methods devised by a psychologist with Japan's highest academic degree, who has a clientele of top businessmen, over his 30-year career. Experiencing real meditation in Kamakura, where ZEN is based, will be a memorable experience for you in life. You won't find practical Zen meditation and dining etiquette anywhere else, as the instructor grew up in a temple.

Add a unique, personal touch to your trip to Japan with a Hanko writing experience, where you can create your own custom name seal. In Japan, a Hanko seal is considered to be representative of your identity, and during this experience, you'll learn about the importance and history of Hanko writing, before learning how to write your name in Japanese. Afterward, you’ll get to choose your own Hanko style, font, and materials, and receive an engraved seal to take home as a souvenir.

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 modern resin-based food sample creation that looks just like the real thing. 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.

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

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.

Meet your local guide and stroll to a hidden gem just 1 minute from Kamakura Station. Learn why Kamakura is deeply tied to "Ume" (plums) and why Umeshu is called the "taste of home" in Japan. Choose your plum, sugar, and alcohol, then fill your own bottle. Design your unique bottle from 100 combinations and take home the "future fun" of waiting for it to be ready in a month. Wrap up your experience with tips on how to enjoy your creation in the future, a Q&A session, and recommendations for nearby lunch and souvenir spots.

Experience the “Now” of Japanese Sake — Something You Won’t Find in a Guidebook Join a hands-on sake tour led by a current sake shop staff member who has tasted over 2,000 kinds of sake and helps customers find the perfect match every day. Held in Ōfuna, a peaceful local town just five minutes from Kamakura, this experience offers a relaxed setting to discover sake away from tourist crowds. Taste five carefully selected types of sake — first chilled, then warm — and explore how temperature transforms flavor. Pair them with traditional snacks, watch a dramatic mokkiri pouring demo, and try pouring sake to the brim without spilling. This is not a lecture, but an interactive and beginner-friendly experience designed to help you find your personal favorite — through taste, touch, and fun. By the end of the tour, you’ll be able to confidently serve sake to your friends back home — and share not just the drink, but the story behind it.

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.

There are many kinds of bento in Japan. In this experience, you can make a bento and take it home. This class is held in a private home in Kamakura, a popular tourist destination. After the experience, you can bring your bento and go sightseeing.

You will make two rice balls guided by an experienced food journalist before tasting sake. You will learn about Japanese food and drink culture from the sake bar owner and the food journalist. You can enjoy the cozy atmosphere of a small hidden sake bar, sitting stools on a wooden counter.