Top Kansai Classes & Workshops

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.

With this Kyoto tour, you can combine multiple experiences in a day—including a walk in a zen garden, a visit to Tofukuji Temple, and a chance to learn the fundamentals of zen meditation. The group size is kept small, which gives you excellent access to your guide for questions, and you can also enjoy a vegetarian Shojin lunch along the way.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We are the largest international sports community in Osaka and Kansai. Come meet local Japanese and foreigners living in Osaka; we love to play sports and meet new friends. You can come alone or with friends, we will make you feel welcome!

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.

Japanese calligraphy is beautiful, but mastering the brushstrokes and characters is difficult without hands-on instruction. This small-group calligraphy experience in Osaka teaches you the basic skills you need to create your own piece of Japanese art. Choose a kanji character, practice it, then write it on a board, which is then framed for you to take home as a unique souvenir.

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.

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.

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.

Learn to create your own bento box, the iconic (and tasty) convenience meal enjoyed daily by millions of Japanese, during this cooking class in Kyoto. Uncover the origins of this uniquely Japanese foodstuff, and watch master chefs as they demonstrate key cooking techniques, before learning to make your own. Finish your course by enjoying your handmade bento box with other food lovers.

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.

Create your own one-of-a-kind ring from vintage coins in this hands-on workshop in Kyoto. This unique experience allows you to transform real coins into a wearable piece of jewelry, combining craftsmanship with history. You can choose from a selection of Japanese vintage coins as well as coins from around the world. Each coin carries its own story, design, and origin, allowing you to create a ring that is both meaningful and personal. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will shape and finish your ring step by step with guidance, making it easy for anyone to join without prior experience. This experience is especially popular for couples, friends, and solo travelers who want to create something memorable together. Your handmade ring becomes not only a stylish accessory, but also a lasting memory from your time in Japan. At the end of the workshop, you will take home your custom-made ring as a unique and personal souvenir.

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.

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.

Avoid superficial travel experiences and gain a deeper, more meaningful introduction to Japanese tradition in Kyoto with a private tea ceremony inside a traditional home. Instead of simply observing, you’re guided by a tea master who explains the purpose behind each gesture as you learn to prepare matcha the traditional way. It’s a calm, immersive experience that replaces uncertainty with clear understanding of etiquette and ritual.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Experience hand-made udon at a Michelin-listed restaurant. You'll get detailed guidance to recreate Udon at home, along with a recipe after the class. If you wish, you can enjoy making udon while sipping Japanese sake or beer. Our chef will cook your noodles and serve them with special broth which is made from all-natural, additive-free ingredients, using kombu, shiitake mushrooms, and katsuobushi (Bonito stock) in beautiful bowls. You can also order side dishes, like tempura or extra udon (they are not included in the fee). Vegetarians are welcome. Let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions. The instructor will take and share photos of your experience.