Top Kanagawa Prefecture Art & Culture Classes

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.

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?

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.

This workshop offers a hands-on experience of traditional Japanese hand-crafted washi papermaking. Located just a 5-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station, Washi Studio “Washinoiori” is a place where you can casually experience the techniques of Echizen washi, a craft with over 1,000 years of history. With the support of an instructor, you will create your own original washi artwork. Beginners are welcome, and no prior experience is required. Enjoy a warm and friendly atmosphere as you craft your piece, and be moved by the beauty of your finished washi. Take home your one-of-a-kind creation as a special souvenir from Japan.

Dancers of all skill levels can enjoy this private traditional Japanese dance lesson in Tokyo. Dressed in a yukata and armed with a fan, you'll learn how to walk, bow, and dance like someone from the Edo period. A private lesson means you won't have to learn in front of other strangers and can ask your teacher as many questions as you like about the process.

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.

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.

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.

This is an instructor-led Japanese calligraphy experience where participants learn directly from an experienced calligraphy master in a peaceful workshop setting. Explore the serene art of Shodō in a mindful Japanese calligraphy workshop in Kamakura. Under the expert guidance of Calligraphy Master Shiei, with over 50 years of experience, you’ll learn to create beautiful kanji while immersing yourself in Japanese culture. The experience begins with an introduction to calligraphy techniques and philosophy, followed by the calming process of preparing sumi ink. As you practice brush movements and write your chosen kanji, you will discover the meditative nature of this traditional art form. At the end of the workshop, you will create your own finished calligraphy piece to take home, along with a deeper appreciation for the quiet beauty of Japanese aesthetics.

Engage with the tranquil art of Japanese calligraphy within a historic temple in Odawara, just a short train ride from Tokyo. Guided by a Zen priest, this experience offers a unique opportunity to create your own personalized scroll while immersing yourself in the meditative process of ink grinding and brush strokes. All materials are provided, and you'll don a traditional samue for a complete cultural experience. Choose a kanji character that resonates with you, crafting a lasting keepsake infused with the essence of Zen and Japanese aesthetics.

Skip the confusion of finding meaningful souvenirs in Japan by joining a private Hanko experience where you create something truly personal. Instead of buying generic keepsakes, you design your own name seal—an important symbol of identity in Japanese culture. With guidance on history, writing your name in Japanese, and choosing style and materials, you leave with a custom engraved stamp made just for you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

1. Enter a Working Hanko Atelier See where professional Japanese seals are actually created and discover the tools, materials and techniques used by the craftsmen. 2. Meet a Fourth-Generation Engraver Meet the artisan carrying on a family tradition that began in 1898. 3. Discover Japanese Hanko Culture Learn in English about the history of hanko, Japanese characters, seal design and the role seals have played in Japanese life. 4. View Award-Winning Works See exceptional seal engravings, including works recognized with Gold Prizes in national competitions. 5. Carve Your Own Stone Seal Learn the basic technique of seal carving and create your own stone seal under the guidance of a professional engraver. 6. Make Your First Impression Apply traditional red ink and reveal the impression you have created. Take your stone seal home as a personal piece of Japan — made by your own hands in a fourth-generation Kamakura atelier.