Top Tokyo Classes & Workshops - page 4

Get the most out of your time in Tokyo by learning an essential Japanese culinary skill—how to prepare sushi from scratch. To ensure you get the perfect package to suit your preferences, you can choose between a standard class or one that includes sake tastings. With expert guidance from an instructor, you can pick up authentic techniques for making different sushi styles that go far beyond what you’d learn from a recipe alone.

The capital of Japan can be overwhelming on your first visit but this customized tour takes the guesswork out of sightseeing. Choose how long you want your tour to last and the sights that interest you most, then let your private tour guide create the perfect itinerary. Using Tokyo's public transport system, your guide takes you to each location for guided tours.

See the highlights of Kyoto on a full-day tour from Tokyo. Learn about the history of the region from your guide as you visit top attractions including Fushimi Inari Taisha, Sanjusangen-do Hall, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Enjoy a delicious lunch in Kyoto, and take a round-trip ride on the super-speed bullet train.

Skip the fixed itineraries of most group tours and see Tokyo’s top attractions your own way on a private customized tour. Either follow a basic itinerary suggested by your guide or create your own schedule from scratch, visiting locations of your choice, such as the Tsukiji Fish Market, Meiji Shrine, and Asakusa Temple.

Enjoy sightseeing near Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji, including a Lake Ashi cruise and a visit to Mt. Komagatake, during this full-day trip by coach from Tokyo. See the celebrated Mt. Fuji during a stop at its famous 5th Station, then take a laid-back boat cruise on beautiful Lake Ashi before touring Mt. Komagatake’s ropeway and summit, offering amazing views of nearby Hakone National Park. Opt to include a Japanese lunch.

Practice the time-honored arts of samurai swordsmanship during this hands-on Kendo workshop. Work one-on-one with an experienced Kendo instructor, with all equipment and armor included. Learn practical skills and put your new moves to the test during a tournament-style combat game. All experience levels are welcome, and participants receive bottled water and a souvenir Kendo towel.

Take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a relaxing experience at the award-winning Spa Damai Daikanyama in Tokyo. Select a time that fits your schedule and choose from a variety of spa treatments such as a shiatsu massage, a detoxifying oil massage, a couples massage, or a facial and head massage.

Dive deep into the history of sake with a private tour through one of Tokyo’s oldest sake breweries. See a different side of the city and relax as you sample several different varieties of sake and learn about the brewing process. Enjoy a leisurely day packed with culture, sake, and a delicious Japanese lunch.

Sumo wrestling in Tokyo offers a lively, cultural experience. Watch the popular Japanese sport live and get in the ring with this exciting experience. Learn the rituals, put on a traditional "mawashi" (sumo belt), and participate in training with a professional Sumo athlete. For non-participants, enjoy the show from your seat with plenty of photo and video opportunities.

Discover Shibuya’s nightlife food scene without the stress of finding authentic spots or navigating crowded, tourist-heavy restaurants. On a small-group guided evening, you’re led to hidden local venues to sample generous portions of classic Japanese dishes with unlimited tastings at each stop. It’s an easy way to experience authentic cuisine, local culture, and iconic surroundings while staying fully satisfied and avoiding surprise costs.

Artistic travelers and anyone interested in Japanese pop culture will enjoy a small-group manga- and anime-drawing class with a professional artist. Whether you draw regularly or are a complete beginner, your instructor will walk you through the process step-by-step and teach you new skills. Learn to come up with manga/anime ideas, sketch, add color, and more.

It can be hard to find a place to practise the Japanese art of *kintsugi* when you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time. However, this hands-on, group workshop is ready for beginners to give this ancient restoration technique a go. Learn how to repair a plate with lacquer made from pure gold, under the guidance of a master artist who can explain the craft's origins.

Learn how to make maki, temari, and nigiri on this hands-on sushi experience in Tokyo. Hear about the art (and the etiquette) behind each bite from expert chefs, and work with fresh ingredients such as tuna, salmon, and flying fish roe. Get personalized instruction in a small-group setting and savor your creations alongside 15 like-minded travelers.

Japanese knives are world-class, and this hands-on class goes beyond simply buying one, as you can discover how to sharpen them properly. Learn a practical skill you can recreate at home as you explore different types of steel and master sharpening techniques using whetstones of varying grits. At the end, take home a freshly sharpened knife that serves as both a meaningful keepsake and a reliable kitchen companion.

Master the way of the Samurai in Tokyo with a group sword experience available at 10:30 A.M. or 3:00 P.M. Suit up in a traditional kimono, then follow expert instruction as you learn the basic moves of samurai sword fighting from the professionals and try drawing a sword yourself. Gain deeper insight into traditional swordsmanship and ask plenty of questions. Wrap up your session with a photoshoot.

This is a traditional dojo where the 63rd Yokozuna, Asahifuji, trained his disciples for 33 years. In this authentic training space, where four Yokozuna and over ten Sekitori (elite wrestlers) have sweated and trained, you can actually experience practice and bouts with the sumo wrestlers. Sumo, Japan's national sport, has a history spanning 1,500 years. Out of this long history, only 75 wrestlers have ever achieved the rank of Yokozuna, and only about 70 of the roughly 1,000 active wrestlers are Sekitori. We offer a precious opportunity for you to stand on such a special Dohyo (sumo ring) and interact with the wrestlers trained by the 63rd Yokozuna, Asahifuji. After the training, enjoy a special time savoring Chanko-nabe (a hearty stew), the source of the sumo wrestlers' strength, together with them. Please enjoy a unique sumo experience, found nowhere else in the world.

Japan is known for its stunning calligraphy, and if you’ve ever been curious about this ancient art, this hands-on lesson is a fantastic way to explore it. Led by an expert calligraphy artist, you learn to write your name in Japanese kanji, then create your own personalized calligraphy t-shirt to take home. The workshop includes traditional workwear, ink grinding, and brush techniques for a complete experience.

Get more out of your time in Shibuya by learning about Japan’s national drink—sake. Instead of just drinking it in a bar, this interactive experience educates you on the different types of sake—from crisp and dry to light and fruity. During the tasting, an expert also reveals more about how sake is brewed, the different flavor profiles, and how to recognize a premium sake.

Immerse yourself in Japanese cuisine with this all-in-one small-group class. You’ll visit a local supermarket near Iriya Station with your guide and learn how to shop for Japanese ingredients like a professional. After, you’ll make traditional foods like sushi rolls, miso soup, egg rolls, and more as you hone your homestyle cooking skills. Once it’s time to enjoy your meal, tea is served to complement your experience.

Mochi is one of Japan’s most popular treats—sticky rice cakes with a variety of sweet or savory fillings. On this tour, learn how mochi is made from a local chef in her own home and get hands-on as you make your own. Create different varieties such as red bean filling, mochi ice cream, mitarashi dango (skewered mochi with sweet soy), or wagashi (candy-style mochi), then sit down to sample your creations with traditional matcha tea.

Swap Shibuya sightseeing for an authentic cultural experience—a small-group tea ceremony. During the session, you can hear fascinating insights about the history of Japanese tea, followed by a step-by-step demonstration on how to make your own matcha. Learn techniques you can recreate at home, and also enjoy the chance to taste delicious Japanese sweets to go with your tea.

Learn more about traditional Japanese culture during a tea ceremony and sweets-making workshop at a tea house in Tokyo’s historic Asakusa neighborhood. Understand the cultural significance of tea and practice making sweets that you can eat after. You’ll even get to dress up in a beautiful kimono or other traditional clothing and pose for photos. Tickets must be exchanged for entry at the starting point.

Discover how to fight like a ninja–and take part in an upbeat, hands-on lesson–on this small-group wire action experience, including choreography to perfect the moves. Learn from the experts, step into a harness yourself, and try out new ninja skills. As you perform three wire action steps, your moves are filmed and edited into a video souvenir.

If you've ever wanted to make restaurant-quality ramen at home, this small-group class in Tokyo is a great opportunity to learn from an experienced chef. Hear insider stories and anecdotes from the restaurant scene, and practice different techniques to make authentic gyoza and ramen. All the ingredients you'll need will be at your disposal.