Top Kyoto Classes & Workshops - page 7

You can create a handmade item which is all designed by yourself, both artistry and practicality--something can be enjoyed every day and remind you of the wonderful trip in Japan! The experience of making rugs using a tufting gun is surprisingly fun and satisfying! Professional staff will teach you carefully, so even beginners can feel at ease. You can make a one-of-a-kind rug all by yourself! This experience is also recommended for families with children and couples. The location is also perfect, just 1 minute walk from Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage sightseeing spot. After the workshop, you can visit the beautiful Sakyo area, discover the local restaurants, and easily get back to Kyoto Station or central part of the city by bus.

Step into the world of real samurai training in Kyoto! Join the Kyoto Branch of Asayama Ichiden Ryu Hyōhō, a 400-year-old Kobudo (classical Japanese budo) tradition still practiced today. Unlike tourist sword experiences, this activity lets you train alongside actual students under authentic guidance. Feel the spirit of Japan’s warrior culture as you learn the fundamentals of Iaijutsu (quick-draw katana techniques) and Kenjutsu (Japanese swordsmanship) using bokutō (wooden katana). If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing true samurai discipline in a traditional Kyoto dojo, this is your chance. *Please note that this is not a tourist activity, but a genuine training session with actual students. As a general rule, we do not accept participants with no prior budo experience. However, if you are very eager to join, please feel free to contact us for a consultation.

We are located in the heart of Kyoto, just a 12-minute walk from Kyoto Station and a 2-minute walk from Nishi Honganji Temple. Our facility is a beautifully renovated traditional Japanese house that dates back 130 years. We have transformed it into a classroom where we provide an authentic Japanese cultural experience for overseas visitors to Japan, aiming to offer a genuine taste of Kyoto's rich cultural heritage. Inside the historic house, you will find a majority of antique furniture and artifacts that are over 110 years old. With this setting, along with traditional Japanese music, we strive to create an immersive cultural experience that takes you back to Kyoto as it was 130 years ago. Our teachers are all local to Kyoto and possess a deep understanding of Japanese culture. They are passionate about sharing their knowledge and providing you with an enriching experience.

1. Whisk your own matcha using practitioner-only top-grade tea on a rare Misonodana shelf 2. Savor seasonal, plant-based Japanese sweets from Kyoto's finest confectioners 3. Tour a 150-year-old former silk merchant's townhouse and garden in Nishijin, Kyoto 4. Learn the meaning behind each movement in clear English from a 16-year trained practitioner 5. Take home simple techniques to recreate the calm of a tea ceremony in your own life

Your group only — no strangers, no shared sessions. This is our home in Arashiyama, Kyoto. When you are here, it is yours for the day. We cook together, eat together, and talk — about food, about Japan, about whatever comes up. Your hosts are Satoru, a professional chef with over 30 years of experience, and Akiko, a fluent English speaker. Guests have come to us from more than 20 countries. Some are experienced cooks. Some have never held a Japanese knife. Some are vegan and have spent their entire trip anxious about what is in their food. We have learned to read the room. And we genuinely enjoy it. One group. Maximum 4 guests. Every time.

What makes this experience unique is the chance to take part in authentic Japanese knife-making in the historic setting of Kyoto. Rather than simply observing, guests actively shape and refine their own knife using traditional tools, gaining hands-on insight into the precision, patience, and care that define Japanese craftsmanship. The small-group format and calm workshop atmosphere make the experience accessible for beginners while remaining deeply rooted in Kyoto’s artisan heritage, allowing guests to leave not only with a handcrafted knife, but with a genuine connection to a craft that has been preserved for generations.

Our tea ceremony session is held in an authentic Japanese style room at a local house. Tea ceremony is formal, but you will also experience the feeling of being invited over for a cup of tea by a friend in Japan. This is a great opportunity for all tourists coming to Kyoto. Our group lessons have a maximum of 8 people. Our hosts and English-speaking instructors are all very friendly and want you to have a memorable time with us. We'll introduce you some history of tea and tea ceremony. You will have a chance to make a bowl of Match by yourself so you will be able to make it for your friends when you go back home. We guarantee they will be surprised and that would be one of the best souvenirs for them!! * It is also possible to prepare a chair instead of sitting on the Tatami floor if you prefer. Please let us know how many chairs you want us to prepare when you make a reservation. *Our reservation is from 2, but if you are solo, please contact us, we may arrange for you.

During the IKEBANA workshop, you'll create your own masterpiece, guided by our instructors. Your artwork will be displayed in a tokonoma (alcove) in a traditional Japanese room and you can take a photo. We also offer a service to deliver your artwork to your hotel,so you can enjoy own IKEBANA experience during your stay. After you checkout,we will pick it up Our style is based on classical IKEBANA forms and focuses on bringing out the beauty of the flowers and branches while respecting their natural state. To achieve this, you will experience the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi-sabi" in a session with our instructor, awakening your primal senses.

お寿司を作ります 手を洗います •握り寿司のシャリを作ってみましょう •ネタをのせます •お好みでわさびをつけます •シャリにネタを乗せて、一つ完成です •次は巻き寿司です •巻いたお寿司は大将が切ってくれます •軍艦巻きも作りましょう •それぞれに海苔の大きさが違います •卵やエビのアレルギーがある方は事前にお知らせください。 •作ったお寿司を並べたら、【いただきます】をしましょう ランチタイム •お寿司、天ぷら、赤だし、お漬物、ソフトドリンクでランチタイムです

When traveling abroad, there is no other experience like sitting down for a meal with a local. Emika opens her Kyoto home to visitors to share a private meal and conversation. Enjoy an authentic Japanese meal of sushi, miso soup, matcha green tea, and sweets with your Kyoto native host.

Learn the time-honored art of ikebana, or Japanese flower arranging, during this hands-on small-group workshop. Listen to enriching history about floral arrangements from an ikebana instructor, and watch a live demonstration. You’ll get a chance to create your own artwork with supplied materials—and feedback from your teacher. Workshops take place in a wooden Kyoto townhouse so you can enjoy the old-world atmosphere as you master the basics.

This is not a group class or a typical wellness session. Every experience is completely private, allowing you to fully relax and immerse yourself in sound without distractions. What makes this experience truly special is its focus on Japanese sound. Instead of commonly used crystal or Tibetan singing bowls, the session features unique Japanese instruments and rich overtones that create a calm and deeply immersive atmosphere. Hosted by a Japanese sound artist, this experience combines sound, stillness, and mindful listening in a way that reflects the spirit of Japan. Many travelers describe it as one of the most memorable and unexpected highlights of their trip to Kyoto. Whether you are interested in meditation, relaxation, sound healing, or simply looking for something beyond ordinary sightseeing, this experience offers a rare opportunity to slow down and reconnect with yourself. After the session, you can also try the instruments yourself and experience their vibrations.

Test your skill and precision, if you hit the target 3 times out of 16 arrows, you'll earn the honor of writing your name in traditional Japanese calligraphy, proudly displayed in our 160-year-old dojo. Train in a historic setting with expert instruction and enjoy a fully immersive seated archery experience.

Brush up on your martial arts skills during this kendo lesson in Kyoto. While the sport is widely practiced across the country, many instructors don’t speak English, making it harder to learn. This class is a great entry-point into kendo, as your instructor has experience teaching in English and can break down concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

Take a deep dive into Japanese culture at an *onigawara* workshop in Kyoto and leave with a one-of-a-kind souvenir that is more personal than anything you could buy. Learn how to make these traditional "demon-faced tiles," a type of ornamentation found on the roofs of Japanese buildings, particularly temples.

This workshop includes not just how to make Kyoto style sushi but the history and cultural background of sushi. You can also taste different types of vinegar and sushi rice and learn how to grate fresh wasabi, which will be unique and deepen your knowledge related to sushi. This workshop is perfect for those who love cooking and want to deepen their knowledge of Japanese cuisine.

Step into a 100-year-old traditional townhouse, where the scent of tatami and a calm atmosphere invite you to slow down. Guided by a host trained in the Omotesenke tradition—one of Japan’s most respected tea ceremony schools—you’ll learn the graceful and mindful art of preparing matcha. With gentle and entertaining guidance, you’ll make your own bowl of matcha, discovering the techniques and etiquette that transform tea-making into a peaceful ritual. Enjoy your matcha with a traditional sweet and take time to savor the moment. Our English-speaking tea masters welcome questions and conversation, helping you connect more deeply with Japanese culture. Using authentic, handcrafted utensils by skilled artisans, we share an experience rooted in tradition—one to remember and take home in spirit.

Engage in a creative journey through Kyoto's Botanical Garden with an on-location watercolor workshop. Perfect for all skill levels, this workshop invites you to paint the rich, natural beauty of Kyoto's greenery. Under the guidance of professional artist Marguerite Dabaie, learn essential watercolor techniques and create your own masterpiece while exploring the garden's picturesque tranquility. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your outdoor painting skills, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to slow down and appreciate the beauty around you.

【A Hundred-Year Villa and Elegant Garden】 Located near the “Sakurabashi” bridge on the Philosopher’s Path, Kiriyama Kaikan is a historical villa with over a hundred years of heritage and a serene Japanese garden. Here, you can experience the true essence of the tea aesthetics once cherished by nobles and Zen monks. 【Matcha vs Sencha Experience】 ▸ Matcha (Powdered Green Tea Ceremony) Experience the Zen spirit of wabi-sabi through the refined and formal “Senke” style of tea ceremony.

Immerse yourself in the tranquil world of the Sencha Tea Ceremony in Kyoto, guided by an experienced Tea Master from the West. Begin with a mindful observation of the intricate tea preparation, absorbing the refined elegance of every gesture. Savor the delicate flavor of freshly brewed gyokuro in a serene tearoom, then transition into a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the essential techniques of the ceremony. Brew your own cup of gyokuro and enjoy it with seasonal wagashi, engaging in thoughtful conversation that reveals the deeper essence of Japanese hospitality and tea culture.

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, a timeless practice that dates back centuries. This art form may seem esoteric and inaccessible at first glance, but with just a little basic knowledge and practice, anyone can create their own flower arrangements. Learning ikebana offers insight into the essence of the Japanese perception of nature. Flower arranging was once a mandatory "mannerism" for well-educated men, such as samurais and Buddhist monks. We invite you to step into the world of a traditional machiya, a captivating Japanese townhouse that Kyoto was once filled with and learn with a teacher who has studied and practiced Ikebana for 20 years, inspired by her mother and aunt who are Ikebana masters. Immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance of a quaint, yet elegant space and discover how to arrange Japanese flowers.

100% private Entire Machiya Reserved for You. Duration: 90 minutes Located in a 125-year-old traditional Japanese house, just a 9-minute walk from Kyoto Station. ✨ ｜Tea Ceremony Learn the spirit of Japanese tea culture while making and enjoying authentic matcha in a peaceful traditional setting. You can also choose your favorite tea bowl for the experience. ｜Japanese Calligraphy Experience the beauty of Japanese writing by using traditional brushes and ink to create your own art. You can write your own name in Japanese calligraphy. ｜Kimono Experience Wear a traditional kimono and enjoy the atmosphere of old Kyoto like a local. You can choose your favorite kimono style. ｜Photo Shooting Service Professional photo shooting by a local photographer to capture your special memories in Kyoto. ｜Reservation Support We can help you book restaurants, local experiences, and hidden spots during your stay.

You will learn the basic information of miso such as the making process, the variety of miso. After tasting 5 different types of miso, guests will make own miso which guests can bring back with them. It includes the tips to how to use each type of miso for daily cooking, so that guests can have more cooking variety even after they are back home. This workshop is perfect for those who love cooking and want to deepen their knowledge of miso.

Step into the world of Japanese art with a hands-on Kirie workshop, where you’ll learn the traditional craft of paper cutting. Guided by an expert, you’ll follow easy-to-use pre-drawn patterns to create stunning designs that reflect the elegance of Japanese culture. No artistic skills are needed, making this an enjoyable experience for all levels. In just 90 minutes, you’ll complete a beautiful piece that you can frame and display at home. With both beginner-friendly and advanced designs available, this workshop is perfect for anyone seeking a unique souvenir or a deeper connection to Japan.