Top Kanazawa Art Classes

Try Calligraphy at a Beloved Local School in Kanazawa ( Near Ninja Temple ) Just ink, washi, and your hands. But the moment the brush touches the paper— you’ll feel it. A new side of Japan opens up. Our 100-year-old townhouse offers an authentic calligraphy experience. From basic brush strokes to your own final piece, a local calligraphy master will guide you step by step with care. Please note: On Thursdays and Saturdays after 3:00 PM, our local calligraphy class is in session, so you may occasionally see Japanese children nearby. This experience uses materials that contain animal-derived components.

Using pre-cut masking tape stencils in various beautiful designs, you'll apply authentic gold leaf to create your own unique artwork. This beginner-friendly workshop allows you to master this centuries-old Japanese craft technique while surrounded by the traditional architecture and atmosphere of one of Japan's most preserved historic districts.

After the Noto earthquake, many of my grandfather’s beautiful Kutani ware pieces—vases, tea cups, and plates—were broken. I couldn’t throw them away because they held so many memories. Instead, I decided to give them a new life by transforming the fragments into unique accessories. As a former instructor of gold leaf art in Kanazawa, I’ve spent years working with gold, and its delicate beauty inspired this workshop. I hope you’ll enjoy the same sense of creativity and tradition. During the experience, you’ll also savor Ishikawa’s famous Kaga-bōcha tea, served on a 100-year-old Wajima lacquer tray, along with Kutani ware teacups that survived the quake. It’s a moment of history, craftsmanship, and hospitality—all in one experience.

Originating from Kanazawa, Kutani ware is a distinctive style of Japanese porcelain famous for its vibrant colors and intricate designs. As the only Kutani ware kiln in the city, Kutani Kosen Kiln, established in 1870, remains one of the most revered ceramic studios in the region. The kiln produces exquisite handcrafted pottery using time-honored techniques, with skilled craftsmen specializing in the delicate art of painting and glazing. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn the drawing techniques on Kutani ware. During this approx. 1 hour workshop, you will sketch and draw your design on a blank vessel and select your preferable colors from the Japanese pallette for your design before the workshop is concluded. Later, your work will be completed by a skilled craftsmen based on your selected colors by using traditional Kutani pigments. After painting, the piece will be fired in the kiln and shipped to you within about three months (shipping fee is at your expense).

Immerse yourself in the art of Kintsugi, where broken ceramics are transformed into beautiful masterpieces. Under the guidance of Rin Kiyose, a young artisan born into a family that has practiced Kaga Maki-e in Kanazawa for three generations,, you’ll engage in the delicate process of lacquer application and gold powder coating. This hands-on experience allows you to contribute to a piece crafted by a skilled artist, giving it your personal touch while learning about the philosophy of embracing imperfections. Create a unique souvenir that reflects your journey and the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship.

The only Kutani ceramic kiln in Kanazawa, opened in 1870 (Meiji 3). We make ceranics by manual from clay blending, shaping on the wheel to final coloring. We sell Kutani ware pottery made by our kiln, and also offer studio tours, pottery making and painting workshops. You can try your hand at the potter's wheel using Kutani ware clay. Kutani ware clay is made from a ceramic stone called "porcelain clay," which is very fine and has a unique texture. The clay is very fine and has a unique feel to it. Unlike ordinary pottery clay, it can be difficult to work with, but the potter will guide you through the process until the finished product is ready. The finished product will be sent to you in about five months.

Create a unique souvenir of your time in Japan in this small-group mizuhiki workshop in Kanazawa. A traditional Kanazawa craft, mizuhiki is the art of Japanese paper twisted into cords and is a popular gift. In this workshop, you can make accessories such as earrings, a necklace, or a hair accessory—each are light and easy to fit in your luggage.

Step into the charm of old Japan and create unforgettable memories in a beautiful kimono! At our self-photo studio in Kanazawa, you can dress yourself in a traditional kimono with easy step-by-step guidance — no experience needed. Our professional photo setup includes studio lighting, tripods, and remote shutters, so you can take flawless selfies just like a pro. The highlight is our unique projector system, displaying over 20 breathtaking Japanese scenes behind you — from cherry blossoms and tea houses to calligraphy and gold-leaf art. Enhance your photos with traditional props such as Japanese umbrellas, folding fans, samurai swords, and vintage chairs, perfectly capturing the elegance and spirit of Japan. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends, this hands-on kimono and photo experience is a must-do in Kanazawa. At the end of your session, receive all your photo data to take home — your very own masterpiece and the perfect souvenir of Japan.

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 Japan's traditional arts in the form of woodblock printing, 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 traditional tenugui that you make yourself!

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!

Discover inner peace through Zen meditation, then bring mindfulness to life by practicing Japanese calligraphy with brush and ink — guided by a resident monk inside a historic temple. More than just a visit: this experience lets you sit where monks train, write sacred characters, and connect with Japanese spirituality in a truly authentic way.

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 yours that offers you a chance to truly experience Japan's traditional arts in the form of Katazome stencil dyeing, as well as an opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with the artisan who has dedicated their life to making it. 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 tote bag that you make yourself!

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 Katazome stencil dyeing, 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 traditional furoshiki that you make yourself!

The only Kutani ceramic kiln in Kanazawa, opened in 1870 (Meiji 3). We make ceranics by manual from clay blending, shaping on the wheel to final coloring. We sell Kutani ware pottery made by our kiln, and also offer studio tours, pottery making and painting workshops. You will be able to enter the actual workshop and learn about the process and characteristics of Kutani ware. You will be able to feel the history of the old workshop and see things that you would not normally see. You can ask us about your interests individually.