Top Kanto Art & Culture Classes - page 4

Experience the Tokyo nightlife just like a local. This small-group experience takes you on a tour of the Shinjuku district's many *izakayas*, informal Japanese watering holes. You'll enjoy a range of classic Japanese dishes at several different izakayas in Golden Gai and Shinjuku, accompanied by drinks, and experience Shinjuku at its most atmospheric: after dark.

Shape and craft your own customized knife. Choose the type, sharpen the blade, engrave your name in Japanese or sakura leaves on the handle and attach it with a hammer. A unique indoor activity in the heart of Tokyo featuring beautiful Japanese art of making knifes!

This walking tour of Shinjuku’s buzzing areas of Golden Gai and Kabukicho is the perfect way to discover great bars, restaurants, and food stalls, without having to do any research. Discover new haunts, and feast on local specialties, such as ramen and “yakitori” (skewers). Learn about local history from your guide, and best of all, enjoy the perk of having tastings included.

Swap the standard souvenirs for something more personalized during an incense-making workshop that will fragrance your home with smells that remind you of your Japanese vacation. Take a break from the bustle of Shibuya as you sip matcha and create your own personalized scent in a small group that promises personalized attention.

Learn more about Japanese culture and cuisine during a small-group sweet-making class in the fashionable Harajuku neighborhood. Meet your instructor and accompany them to their home, where you can see how inner-city Tokyoites live. Your instructor will show you how to make nerikiri sweets from bean paste, sugar, and other ingredients. Then it’s your turn. Enjoy eating the sweeets with a cup of freshly prepared matcha tea.

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.

Go beyond the typical dining establishments frequented by tourists and get a real taste of local life on this guided food tour in Tokyo. In the company of a local host, discover local ingredients and dishes you have never heard of, and visit eateries you'd never find on your own. Eat your way around the city, visiting 2-3 different places that might include side street yakitori, tiny sushi joints, and lively izakaya, while your host shares insights into Tokyo food culture.

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.

Discover the art of bonsai, the Japanese art of growing miniature trees in an artistic shape, during this small-group hands-on experience near Tokyo. Head to Bonsai-cho ("Bonsai City) to see some beautiful examples then try your hand at various techniques for shaping and pruning bonsai trees while a guide answers any questions you may have.

Learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy in this small-group Tokyo workshop. Discover the history and basic mechanics of writing Japanese calligraphy: learn the complexities of the Japanese writing system, find out how to use an inkstone and brush, master the basic brushstrokes of Japanese characters, and create a special souvenir wall piece to bring home. An accredited calligrapher leads your workshop, ensuring an educational experience.

Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, and this hands-on experience is the perfect way to develop your skills. No need to worry about bringing anything with you as flowers and equipment are provided. Learn about the basics of Ikebana before making your own arrangement and taking photos.

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.

Learn the basics of tsugaru shamisen at this professional Tokyo performance and workshop. Listen to your guide, an award-winning musician, play the Japanese three-stringed instrument known as the Japanese banjo. Then you’ll be taught how to hold the instrument and use the pick, eventually learning to play a simple song by yourself. This is a unique experience where you will discover a new instrument and skill.

Learn the foundations of a Japanese tea ceremony with a 'tea master' who teaches its connection to Zen practice. Enjoy wagashi sweets paired specifically for matcha’s flavor profile, then participate in each step of the ceremony. This hands-on session gives travelers a calm pause from city exploration while offering insight into the aesthetics, architecture, and mindfulness that shape Japan’s approach to hospitality and dining.

Learn and sustainable art of furoshiki (Japanese cloth wrapping) in a hands-on workshop led by an instructor, all while you learn about the culture and history of the craft. Start with basic folds and knots, then master more advanced techniques to wrap gifts, carry items, or even wearable cloth accessories you can make for friends and family. You’ll receive your own furoshiki to take home, along with insider stories about the craft’s modern-day eco significance in Japan.

A “yukata” is a casual type of kimono that’s light and easy to wear. If you’ve ever been curious about wearing a “yukata,” then this is the experience for you. Eliminate the guesswork when it comes to putting it on, and have a guide to help you. Then, capture the moment in style, as a special photoshoot around Shiba Park is included—the perfect way to remember your trip.

Tokyo offers endless souvenir options, but if you want something truly unique, then this glass art experience is the one for you. Learn sandblasting and polishing techniques from a skilled glass master as you design your own piece featuring a Japanese motif—such as Mt. Fuji, a geisha, or a samurai. All materials are included, and at the end of the class, you can take your beautiful souvenir glass away.

Get more out of your time in Tokyo with this hands-on private flower arranging class in Tokyo. Learn a specific type of flower arranging that originated in Japan—"ikebana", and enjoy the convenience of having the class equipment provided, such as flowers and tools, so you can just show up and have fun.

Japan is famous for its delicious cuisine, but top dishes are often meat and seafood-heavy. Ideal for vegetarians, this small-group cooking workshop explores the art of “shojin ryori,” an ancient cuisine associated with Zen Buddhism. Learn how to prepare staples like sesame tofu, dashi broth soup, vegetable tempura, and more with an instructor's help. Then, sit down to enjoy your freshly prepared meal, paired with tea as an optional upgrade.

Japanese calligraphy is admired for its beauty, and this hands-on class lets you experience it firsthand. Led by a skilled instructor, learn essential techniques you wouldn’t get from books or online videos, including proper brush grip, control, and stroke order. During the session, practice using traditional brushes as well as a modern pen, choose from different characters to write, and take your finished calligraphy home as a keepsake.

Experience Japanese culture in a hands-on and memorable way with this special two-hour tour featuring a Daruma painting workshop. Begin your experience by painting your own Daruma, a traditional Japanese doll known as a symbol of good luck, perseverance, and goal-setting. As you design and decorate your Daruma, you will also learn about its cultural meaning and the role it has played in Japanese tradition. At the end of the workshop, you will take home your hand-painted Daruma as a one-of-a-kind souvenir and a lasting reminder of your time in Japan. ・Paint your own traditional Japanese Daruma in a fun hands-on workshop ・Learn the cultural meaning of Daruma as a symbol of luck and personal goals ・Create a meaningful keepsake to take home from your trip to Japan ・Enjoy the experience with friendly local instructors in a welcoming atmosphere

Plan A (Duration : 60-90 mins) - Premium option including a full-size "Rakusui paper" You will be making 4 pcs of washi postcards and 1 pc of full-size "Rakusui paper". "Rakusui" literally means "dripping water" in Japanese. Different from the standard washi papers, the unique look of "Rakusui paper" features small holes on the surface as a result of applying water in the making process. It has a distinctive and captivating texture when seen through the light. Plan B (Duration : 45-60 mins) You will be making 4 pcs of washi postcards with colored papers of your choice. In addition to the washi making process, you will also experience an additional process of adhering colored Japanese papers to the white washi papers that you just made. This process will add more color and patterns to your washi postcards and there are over 100 variations of colored papers for you to choose from. Plan C(Duration : 30-40 minutes) Washi postcard-making experience without colored Rakusui paper (4 pcs)

For centuries, broken pottery in Japan has been fixed and arguably made more beautiful with gold glue. This practice, known as kintsugi, is a great way to slow down and immerse yourself in Japanese culture during your vacation. Spend a couple of relaxing hours learning how to restore your own piece of crockery in an intimate, small group workshop while sipping matcha tea and munching on local sweets.

Learn Japanese culture and Buddhism directly from a Buddhist monk in a 400-year-old private temple. This private group experience starts with a calligraphy lesson, creating your own artwork to take home. Then participate in a sutra-copying session, focusing on the chant and calming your mind. Personalized guidance allows questions about culture, Buddhism, or life as a monk. This exclusive private group experience combines learning, creativity, and mindfulness, leaving you with unique art and a sense of inner peace.