Top Kansai Classes & Workshops

#1. You can enjoy three iconic elements of Japanese culture—tea ceremony, kimono, and calligraphy—all in one private and peaceful setting. #2.The experience is perfect for beginners, with friendly English support and thoughtful guidance throughout. #3.You can take photos in your kimono and bring home your calligraphy as a special memory. #4.Conveniently located in central Osaka, Sazanka offers a serene retreat where you can immerse yourself in tradition. With a climate-controlled indoor setting, you can enjoy the experience in comfort without worrying about the weather.

If you’re interested in Japan’s ninja culture, then this is the experience for you. Rather than just watching ninja movies or visiting a museum, this hands-on experience allows you to forge a real ninja weapon. Safely learn how to heat, hammer, and shape your weapon, with guidance from skilled craftsmen. Then, engrave your weapon and have a memorable souvenir to take home.

Japan is known for its exceptional sushi, and Kyoto has no shortage of great restaurants—but this experience goes a step further by letting you make your own sushi from scratch. During the class, enjoy an introduction to sushi and Japanese food culture, then learn how to prepare around 10 pieces yourself, which you can enjoy at the end alongside a tasting of Japanese sake.

Choose your kimono and get dressed with simple hairstyling (1–1.5 hrs) Join a 1-hour tea ceremony: learn tea culture, enjoy matcha & sweets Keep the kimono until 6:00 PM to explore and stroll nearby A memorable way to enjoy Japanese tradition.

Craft your very own knife in this immersive workshop in Osaka, where Japanese masters will share their secrets in a friendly and interactive way. Select your preferred blade type, sharpen it with bilingual expert guidance, and attach a customized handle to create a unique piece. Personalize your knife by engraving your name in Japanese on the handle, or even add a design of your choice. Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with tea and snacks, while learning about the rich history of Japanese knives from an English-speaking local master. This is not just a hands-on experience; it's a chance to connect with Japanese culture and engage in meaningful conversations with the friendly crew, all while polishing your knife-making skills.

Making mochi is an art, and this fun class in Osaka lets you try making it for yourself. Get tips and learn authentic techniques from an experienced instructor before you start handling traditional tools, such as a mortar and pestle. Instead of store-bought varieties, you'll get to enjoy freshly-made mochi and taste the difference.

Learn the Japanese martial art of kendo while in Osaka with this-small group kendo experience with an English speaking instructor. Learn about the history of kendo, etiquette, and its spiritual and cultural aspects, in addition to basic and core moves. Includes all necessary equipment, bottled water, and a souvenir towel.

Ramen is a Japanese specialty of noodles in a broth with mixed toppings such as pork, seaweed, and egg. There are lots of different varieties of ramen, so save time and learn how to make three types in one class (salt ramen, soy sauce ramen, and miso ramen). No need to worry about bringing anything with you as all utensils and ingredients are provided.

Enjoy an immersive culinary experience, and learn how to cook a traditional Japanese meal with a private cooking class in Kyoto. Instead of being in a crowded kitchen, this is a private lesson just for you, which means you can enjoy one-on-one guidance. There are several set menus to choose from: teriyaki chicken, sushi, tonkatsu or Kansai street snacks such as gyoza (dumplings), takoyaki (octopus balls) or okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).

A tea ceremony is a key part of Japanese culture, and Kyoto—long regarded as the country’s cultural capital—is one of the best places to experience it. During the ceremony, a tea master demonstrates the precise steps involved in preparing premium matcha, offering invaluable insights that you’d miss if drinking tea in a restaurant. You can then enjoy traditional Japanese sweets to accompany your tea.

Take a deep-dive into Japanese culture and experience Osaka like a local on this evening walking tour. Join your guide on an exploration of the city’s historic districts, including the former ghetto and the Red Light district. Learn about Osaka’s history, heritage, and local traditions; venture down the backstreets to visit quirky sites often missed by travelers; and sample traditional street foods. Upgrade to include a delicious dinner.

Enjoy a world of quiet elegance at Nishiki Orizuruya. All plans include kimono rental (with free hair styling for women) and are guided in English. 1. Authentic Tea Ceremony: After a captivating demonstration, learn to whisk your own matcha using a traditional bamboo whisk. Your prepared tea is paired with exquisite, seasonal Wagashi (traditional sweets) sourced from a celebrated 100-year-old Kyoto confectionery shop. 2. Tea Ceremony & Calligraphy: Combine the meditative art of tea with the flow of brush and ink. After savoring your matcha and sweets, learn to write your favorite kanji using a brush and ink. A great chance to create a personal keepsake. 3. Tea Ceremony & Guided Nishiki Market Tour: Enjoy the complete tea ceremony experience, then set out on a culinary adventure. Explore the bustling stalls of "Kyoto’s Kitchen" (Nishiki Market), hidden local shrines, and ancient specialty shops to discover the deep roots of Kyoto's food culture.

Learn about the uniqueness of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), made from natural ingredients such as rice flour and beans, during this small-group experience in Osaka. Prepare nerikiri, a high-quality wagashi, (from white bean paste and glutinous rice flour) and color and customize your sweets to your liking, which you can enjoy at the end of class.

When traveling abroad, there is no other experience like cooking and eating a meal with a local. Emika opens her Kyoto home to visitors to cook a meal and share conversation. Enjoy learning to make traditional Obanzai cuisine, like marinated mushrooms, slow-cooked vegetables, miso soup and tofu dishes with your Kyoto native host. Chat over the meal you prepared, and get recommendations on the city.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of mending shattered pottery with lacquer that’s often dusted with gold. Learn about the traditional art’s history and try your hand at it in this class, where you’ll sprinkle 23K gold onto lacquer. As a bonus, the workshop is also held in a traditional Japanese building with wooden architecture that’s worth exploring after class.

Experience the authentic artistry of Kabuki and classical Japanese dance up close in a serene Kyoto temple, away from the typical tourist crowds. Unlike large-scale theater productions viewed from a distance, this intimate experience brings you face-to-face with a professional traditional dancer: • Welcome with Tea & Sweets: Begin your visit with authentic matcha and Japanese sweets. • Deep Cultural Insights: Learn about the history, storytelling, and philosophy behind Kabuki and traditional dance forms. • Live Intimate Performance: Watch 4-5 classical dance pieces up close, showcasing intricate movements and the expressive artistry of traditional dancing fans. • Q&A & Photo Session: End with personal interactions with the performer, with time for commemorative photos inside the historic grounds. *Note: Gather at Saishu-ji (10 min walk from Gojo Station). To accommodate temple rituals, the venue may occasionally shift to a nearby equivalent temple with advance notice.

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.

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.

Create your own bento box lunch during a Japanese cooking class in Osaka. Taking place at the popular Sakura Cook restaurant, the small-group cooking experience shows you how to make up to seven classic dishes that are often made in Japanese homes. You’ll learn how to marinate, cook, and then pack your meal before eating your creations at the end.

I think it will be a special and unforgettable time for you to experience making Japanese soba, a traditional Japanese culture, in a calm temple. And you can't get the taste of soba noodles you make yourself anywhere else. I would like to sincerely share with you the traditional culture of Japan.

When traveling abroad, there is no other experience like cooking and eating a meal with a local. Yoshiko opens her Osaka home to visitors to cook a meal and share conversation. Enjoy learning to make dashi stock and use it to bring out the umami flavor of your dishes. Get a glimpse into the life of an Osaka local, and immerse yourself in Japanese cuisine and culture on this private experience.

Skip the usual food and restaurant scenes for this small-group cooking class in a local hostel. Learn everything needed to prepare miso soup and *okonomiyaki*, savory pancake dishes also known as Osaka’s “comfort food.” Meet in the hostel near Nagahoribashi subway station and cook with your group and city locals invited by your host.

This is the only samurai sword experience in Tokyo where you would feel like a real samurai and have a real hands on sword experience different from some simple costume play. Many people come to Japan to learn about the history of samurai and fulfill their childhood dream of being a samurai and this is it. ！Children under 10 can not enter the samurai venue.！ ！You can reserve maximum 4 people from Viator however we accept any other booking site and there will be more participants in your experience！

Experience the elegance of Japanese culture in our exclusive private Yukata dressing workshop. The Yukata, a simpler yet equally beautiful version of the Kimono, offers a unique opportunity for you to immerse yourself in local traditions. Imagine wearing it yourself and strolling through vibrant summer festivals! The only challenge lies in its distinctive style compared to Western attire, leaving many unsure of the proper way to wear it. But don’t worry! Our expert instructor will guide you through the process, revealing that it's much more straightforward than it appears once you've learned the techniques