Top Japan Classes & Workshops

What makes this experience truly unique is the opportunity to create a functional Japanese knife through a hands-on process guided by a local craftsman in historic Asakusa. Rather than simply observing, guests actively take part in shaping and refining their own blade using whetstones, gaining firsthand insight into the precision, patience, and craftsmanship that define Japanese knife-making. The small-group setting allows for personal instruction in a calm, welcoming workshop, making the experience accessible to beginners while remaining deeply authentic. Guests leave not only with a handcrafted knife, but with a genuine connection to one of Japan’s most respected artisan traditions.

Step into the elegance of Japanese tradition with an authentic kimono and tea ceremony experience in Kyoto. Begin by choosing your favorite kimono from our beautiful collection, with friendly staff helping you dress. Complimentary hair styling is also available for women to complete your traditional look. Once dressed, enter a peaceful Japanese-style tea room and discover the customs and rituals behind the tea ceremony. Your experienced instructor will demonstrate how to prepare matcha using traditional utensils, including the bamboo whisk (chasen). Then, try it yourself! Whisk your own bowl of matcha and enjoy it with traditional Japanese sweets. More than simply watching a ceremony, this is a hands-on cultural experience where you can dress, learn, participate, and taste. Enjoy a memorable journey into Japanese culture in the heart of Kyoto.

Japan is known for its world-class kitchenware, and with this hands-on experience, you can learn how to forge your own knife. Don’t worry about bringing anything with you, as all materials are provided to make the class as hassle-free as possible. Also, the group size is kept small so you can get plenty of help throughout.

Immerse yourself in Japan's rich culinary heritage in a cooking class led by experts in Japanese cuisine and culture. In an intimate setting in the heart of Tokyo, learn how to prepare sushi, brew savory ramen broth from scratch, and sip sake that has been carefully selected to complement your dishes.

Making sushi is a skill that is difficult to master alone. Get a hands-on experience under the guidance of an expert in this class at an Osaka restaurant. In a small group of no more than 14 participants, learn how to make sushi, as well as other typical Japanese dishes including miso soup and yakitori chicken.

Tokyo is known for its incredible food and culinary culture. Make the most of your time in Japan with a private cooking class with a local’s home. Ask questions along the way and learn at your own pace. Your Japanese instructor will show you how to make several authentic home-cooked dishes, tailored to your group’s requirements, and you can eat them when you’ve finished.

The refined setting of a Japanese tea ceremony can feel intimidating to travelers. This immersive small-group Kyoto experience unravels some of the mystery. With the help of an expert, don a beautiful kimono and have your hair styled, then participate in a traditional tea ceremony in an elegant tea room; learn how to prepare matcha; and, if you like, create your own piece of calligraphy.

Create a ring that no one else in the world has. Discover a collection of vintage coins from different countries and eras, pick the one that speaks to you, and turn it into your very own ring. You’ll experience the entire process yourself — working with professional tools to shape the coin, form the ring, and add the finishing touches. Our instructors will be there to guide you throughout, so it’s perfect even if you’ve never made jewelry before. Every coin is different, which means every ring is different. The details and character of the original coin remain visible, giving your finished piece a look and story of its own. It’s more than something to buy in Kyoto — it’s something you create here. Take home a one-of-a-kind ring, made by you, and a memory of Kyoto you can wear wherever you go.

Visiting some great viewing spots of Mt.Fuji and making your own Mt.Fuji with Japanese traditional sweets,”Wagashi”! You’ll return to the port at least 2.5 hours before your cruise ship’s departure.

This experience combines a tour of a local supermarket and a cooking class in a local host’s home. First, visit the market where your host will describe and buy different ingredients used in Japanese cooking. Following that, join the host in their kitchen to make classic Nagoya dishes such as red miso stew and shrimp tempura in a rice ball or fried chicken, Nagoya style. Plus, learn how to make dashi stock from scratch.

When traveling abroad, there is no other experience like sitting down for a meal with a local. Michiyo opens her Kyoto home to visitors to cook a meal and share conversation. Enjoy learning to make authentic Japanese cuisine, from dashi (fish broth) to chirashi sushi with your Kyoto native host. Enjoy sitting down together to for a meal with paired alcoholic drinks to accent your delicious food.

Create your own Japanese chopsticks in the heart of Osaka! This relaxing, hands-on experience lets you discover Japanese craftsmanship while creating a unique souvenir to take home. Your booking includes our Standard Wood option, and you can customize your chopsticks on-site for an additional fee. Choose your favorite wood, add a wooden gift box, or explore other options to make your chopsticks truly your own. With friendly English-speaking instructors and no experience required, it’s an easy and memorable way to experience Japanese culture just 5 minutes from Shinsaibashi Station.

Discover the traditional Japanese art of kintsugi in this hands-on workshop in Kyoto. Kintsugi is the practice of repairing broken pottery using lacquer and gold, embracing imperfections and giving new life to damaged pieces. In this beginner-friendly experience, you will learn the basic techniques of kintsugi while creating your own unique piece. All steps are carefully guided, making it easy to join even without prior experience. A standard pottery piece is included, and guests can also upgrade to a wide selection of unique plates and bowls for an additional fee. The variety allows you to choose a piece that matches your personal style, making your final creation even more special. During the workshop, your guide will also introduce the philosophy behind kintsugi, including the idea of finding beauty in imperfection, making the experience both creative and meaningful. At the end of the session, you will take home your repaired piece as a one-of-a-kind souvenir from Japan.

Step into the Matcha Discovery Workshop, a hands-on experience in a quiet, hidden corner of Shibuya, featuring Pure Matcha from a heritage tea merchant with 10 generations of history. ・Taste Pure Matcha from a heritage tea merchant with 10 generations of history ・Discover the difference between blended and authentic matcha, by taste ・Learn to prepare your own bowl of matcha using traditional tea tools ・Uncover the history and culture behind Japan's matcha tradition ・Enjoy the proper way to pair matcha with Traditional Japanese Sweets ・Enjoy close, personal guidance from your host throughout the workshop

Kendo, a Japanese martial art, descends from the ancient fighting methods of samurai. In this small-group class, immerse yourself in the world of samurai through practicing kendo in a real dojo. You'll even get to wear an authentic uniform as you learn proper form and practice striking with a bamboo sword. The dojo also doubles as a museum with a variety of samurai artifacts and memorabilia.

Learn more about traditional Japanese culture during a fun small-group workshop in Shinjuku. Get changed into a comfortable, stylish, easy-to-wear kimono and sit down for a presentation on tea. Learn about the different varieties and their cultural importance in Japan. After, try making a bowl of matcha tea the traditional way with the right tools, and enjoy drinking a refreshing cup.

A tea ceremony is an essential Kyoto cultural experience, and this small-group session lets you take part in one in an intimate setting. Watch an expert prepare matcha using traditional rituals, utensils, and techniques that incorporate mindfulness. Along the way, learn practical skills you can recreate at home, and enjoy the opportunity to prepare a cup of tea yourself too.

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.

Discover the culture behind *izakaya*, the Japanese equivalent to tapas, during a half-day cooking class with dinner in Kyoto. Rather than just dining on popular home dishes, learn tips and tricks for getting the food right at home during a session with a master chef before preparing and eating your own izakaya-style creations. It’s the perfect chance to explore the country’s cuisine beyond the typical sushi and teriyaki offerings.

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.

Learn to make a traditional Japanese meal during this private cooking lesson in Sapporo. Join a professional culinary instructor for a hands-on workshop including starters, main dishes, and side dishes such as sushi, somen noodles, and grilled chicken. Get advice and recipes for recreating the Japanese feast back home.

Take a break from Tokyo sightseeing and immerse yourself in the world of the Samurai on this small-group archery and katana training session. Change into a samurai outfit first, then work through techniques and stances tailored to your level. Choose just one skill to master or upgrade to cover both.

Cook like a local in Tokyo during this private lesson that takes place in a home in Yanaka. Instead of simply going out for a meal, learn how you can recreate authentic Japanese dishes at home under the guidance of an instructor. Practice cooking techniques with live feedback as you go.

If you’re a fan of Kanji, or Japanese calligraphy, and you want to know how to practice this traditional art form, then this hands-on private lesson shows you how. Instead of watching online videos, learn to master traditional techniques in a modern atelier alongside your instructor: from what tools you need, how to hold the brush, and how to transform your favorite work into a masterpiece on traditional paper or a fan.