Top Kanagawa Prefecture Classes & Workshops

If you’ve ever been curious about sumo wrestlers and how they train, then this is the experience for you. Rather than just watching a match, you can go behind the scenes with a guide, and discover a sumo dining room, bath, and practice area. Then, finish off with the chance to learn some moves, and taste a delicious sumo lunch.

Why Join This Experience? English speaking instructor for a stress-free experience Intimate setting limited to small groups to maintain a calm, personal atmosphere Learn not just how, but why uncover the philosophy of Zen and mindfulness behind every movement Perfect for first time visitors, cultural enthusiasts, couples, and families Good to Know Duration Approx. 60 minutes Group Size Max 6 participants Location 7 min walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station No dress code, but we recommend modest attire no shoes inside the tea room Photos are welcome at designated times during the session

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.

Sencha-do is a tea ceremony that does not use powdered green tea. In sencha-do, tea is carefully brewed by infusing green tea leaves. In this workshop, you will first observe the tea ceremony to understand the atmosphere and its culture. Japanese sweets will also be served, so please enjoy the moment. After observing the ceremony, you can actually use a tea utensil to brew tea. Hope you will be surprised and discover something new about the taste of tea brewed yourself. You can also compare the taste with your friends and family.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Art of Japanese Home Cooking Tailored Experience: Even if you are a beginner, our classes are tailored to your skill level and culinary interests. We offer personalized sessions recommended for couples looking for a unique date activity and families with kids seeking a fun, educational experience together. Hands-On Learning: Our interactive classes emphasize hands-on learning. You will be preparing, cooking, and plating your dishes under the guidance of our expert instructors. Fresh, Local Ingredients: Experience the difference that fresh, high-quality ingredients can make. We source our ingredients locally and ensure you experience the art of Japanese home cooking.

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.

Experience Bushido training with wooden swords at the Itto-ryu Nakanishi-ha Shudokan, a traditional Japanese martial arts school. You will also take part in zazen meditation at a Zen temple, closely tied to the spirit of Bushido. Through this one-day program, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the profound spiritual essence within Japanese culture. Lunch will be a Sushi-Shokado Bento.

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.

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.

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.

Sencha-do is a tea ceremony that does not use powdered green tea. In sencha-do, tea is carefully brewed by infusing green tea leaves. In this workshop, you will first observe the tea ceremony to understand the atmosphere and its culture. Japanese sweets will also be served, so please enjoy the moment. After observing the ceremony, you can actually use a tea utensil to brew tea. Hope you will be surprised and discover something new about the taste of tea brewed yourself. You can also compare the taste with your friends and family.

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.

Train in traditional Kobudo at a historic dojo founded by Yoshio Sugino, the swordsmanship master of Seven Samurai. This rare martial arts experience has been carefully preserved by his family. The dojo is located in Kawasaki, a local city just about 30 minutes from central Tokyo. Despite its easy access, this sacred dojo remains a quiet place where tradition is still alive. You will meet your guide at the station and walk together to the dojo. After changing clothes, please bring comfortable innerwear and shorts to wear under the dojo uniform. The experience then begins with a short talk about the history of the Sugino Dojo, how its teachings were passed down, and why they continue today. Next, you will practice basic kata, learning calm and focused sword movements. At the end, you will try a special kata used in Seven Samurai. Learn directly from skilled instructors in a sacred dojo where real tradition lives — a truly unique experience found only here.

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.

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.