Top Japan Classes & Workshops - page 4

Train inside a working dojo and learn kendo—“the way of the sword”—from swordsmen who teach the discipline as it’s practiced in Japan today. This session strengthens focus, posture, and timing while giving travelers a direct encounter with a living martial art. It’s a purposeful break from passive sightseeing, offering hands-on insight into how Bushido principles guide real movement and judgment under pressure.

Discover the culinary traditions of Japan in Osaka, one of Japan’s best food cities, on this small-group cooking lesson at a local's home. Learn how to prepare popular Japanese dishes including *okonomiyaki* (savory pancakes), *takoyaki* (deep fried octopus balls), and miso soup. You can expand your Japanese cuisine knowledge, and best of all, eat your creations when you’re finished.

Visit a sumo training center in Tokyo to observe the morning practice. Spend approximately two hours watching the sumo wrestlers train and observe the rules and regulations of sumo. It’s a rare chance for visitors to glimpse this exclusive world, and a fascinating window into a Japanese tradition.

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.

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.

Soba noodles are a staple of Japanese cuisine, and a treat for visitors in Japan—but learning how to craft these hand-cut buckwheat noodles is usually left to professional chefs, and especially tricky if you don't speak Japanese. During this private cooking workshop in Sapporo, mix flour and stretch and cut the dough to master the art of making soba yourself. Then, sit down to enjoy your freshly prepared meal.

Not only do you have a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Miyajima, but also look the part by wearing a traditional Kimono on this tour. You’ll be with an intimate group of just six, so you’ll be able to observe the ceremony up close. You’ll be provided with a kimono, so no need to purchase one yourself. Relax, enjoy the experience and your traditional tea.

Lovers of good food and drink won't want to miss this sake-tasting session with a sake expert from the international sake sommelier team in Tokyo. Learn about different varieties of this traditional Japanese drink and the kinds of foods that pair well with it. Sample at least six different kinds of sake along with specially chosen snacks to complement them. Enjoy the experience with old friends and new, and leave with newfound knowledge to use and share.

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.

This experience provides the ultimate photo opportunity to remember your time in Japan. Visit the Senso-ji Temple and have a chance to dress up in an authentic kimono. Enjoy free time to explore one of Tokyo’s most historic areas at your own pace, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Ask the staff to help arrange a rickshaw ride or tea ceremony while wearing your kimono, if you'd like (additional cost).

Tokyo has no shortage of great ramen spots, but this class lets you go a step further by learning how to make ramen from scratch. Create three different styles—”miso”, “shoyu”, and “tonkotsu”—and use a professional noodle machine to prepare fresh noodles yourself. With a small group size, you can benefit from plenty of hands-on time and personal guidance from your instructor throughout the experience.

Meet a Hiroshima local to discover the city through their eyes rather than a sightseeing itinerary. After hearing your wishes via phone or app, your Hiroshima local will craft a private walking tour around your interests or their favorite areas. Cue a walk that brings Hiroshima to life through a local’s perspective: with cultural insight, pointers on sights, transport, and food; and conversations that help immerse you in the city.

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.

Break up a day of sightseeing with this small-group sake tasting tour in Tokyo. Sip, swirl, and sample over 30 different bottles of sake, as you deepen your understanding of this popular Japanese rice wine with an expert guide. Learn about manufacturing processes, production areas, and flavors as you swap tasting notes with fellow travelers. Plus, each tasting comes with a curated selection of appetizers to refresh your palate.

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.

Step into the serene world of Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese art of "golden repair." In this hands-on workshop, you will explore the poetic philosophy that an object’s history—including its breaks and repairs—makes it more precious, rather than something to be discarded. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn the meticulous techniques of bonding ceramic fragments and finishing them with shimmering gold powders, transforming shattered pieces into resilient works of art. Throughout the session, you will shift your focus from traditional pottery to the creation of delicate, wearable art and home accents. You will have the opportunity to design and assemble custom accessories, such as pendants or earrings, as well as unique decorative ornaments. We provide all the necessary materials, including high-quality ceramics and specialised resins, ensuring that even complete beginners can achieve a professional finish.

Create your own chopsticks in Osaka with a hands-on workshop. Choose from 15 types of wood, use traditional tools, and personalize your chopsticks with an engraving. ・Craft your own chopsticks from a selection of 15 types of wood ・Use traditional Japanese tools to shape and polish your chopsticks ・Personalize your chopsticks with an engraving in Japanese or your language ・Enjoy a hands-on experience with English-speaking staff to guide you ・Take home a special souvenir with a Japanese aroma oil-infused sachet

If you’re looking for a unique souvenir to bring back from Japan, then this hands-on workshop fits the bill. Enjoy the special opportunity to learn how to design and make your own wooden chopsticks from scratch. Don’t worry if you’ve never tried anything like this before—it’s a beginner-friendly session with step-by-step guidance. Then, at the end, take home your beautifully wrapped chopsticks—perfect to keep or give as a thoughtful gift.

What makes this workshop special is the material itself: you'll work with real vintage Japanese coins, each one decades old and full of history. Unlike typical souvenir shopping, you'll create something with your own hands using traditional metalworking techniques — and the ring you take home is truly one of a kind. Classes are kept small, so whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned craft lover, you'll get personal guidance every step of the way. Located in the heart of Kyoto, it's an easy add to any itinerary and one of the few experiences where your souvenir tells the story of both Japan and your trip.

This “kintsugi” workshop introduces a traditional Japanese craft that repairs broken ceramics with gold powder. Held in a great location near Gion and Yasaka Shrine, the session teaches practical techniques while exploring the philosophy of embracing imperfections. It’s an ideal way to learn new skills, create a meaningful souvenir to take home, and learn more about Japanese culture.

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.

I will teach you carefully and gently in English. You can also see Japanese-style rooms in Japanese houses. In addition, if you have time after the lesson, we will prepare Japanese sweets and Matcha. Please feel free to ask what you do not know or want to know about Tokyo or Japan. It would be nice if you could get in touch with Japanese culture and become even more fond of Japan.

Dive into Japan’s kawaii food culture with an interactive bento‑making cooking class in Tokyo. Under expert guidance, craft a themed “character” lunch box—think panda or seasonal designs—using fresh local ingredients. It’s a creative, hands‑on experience that blends cooking with cultural insight. Go home with a delicious (and adorable) meal and a fun new skill.

This is the ultimate ninja experience for the whole family. You’ll have a lot of fun, and increase your knowledge about ninjas too. You won’t have to worry about what to wear, as ninja outfit rental is included. Highlights include throwing ninja stars (shuriken), and using a ninja blowgun. At the end of your experience, a visit to the Samurai and Ninja Museum is included.