Top Tokyo Painting Classes

Japan is known for its stunning calligraphy, and if you’ve ever been curious about this ancient art, this hands-on lesson is a fantastic way to explore it. Led by an expert calligraphy artist, you learn to write your name in Japanese kanji, then create your own personalized calligraphy t-shirt to take home. The workshop includes traditional workwear, ink grinding, and brush techniques for a complete experience.

Experience Traditional Japanese Calligraphy! This workshop is open to everyone, from complete beginners to those with prior calligraphy experience. Under the guidance of a professional calligraphy instructor, you’ll unlock your creativity and enjoy a unique cultural experience rooted in Japanese tradition. In this workshop, you will: ・Calm your mind by grinding solid ink with an inkstick ・Learn basic brush techniques using practice kanji to prepare for your main piece ・Transform your name into kanji ・Complete your favorite kanji artwork and take it home as a special souvenir ・Optionally write your kanji directly onto a T-shirt to create a one-of-a-kind original design

Deepen your understanding of Japanese crafts with this private calligraphy lesson in Asakusa. Start by watching a short video introducing the history and meaning of Japanese calligraphy, then practice essential brushstrokes with a teacher. Customize a t-shirt and write a letter using traditional techniques to create unique souvenirs to take home.

Step back into the golden age of manga and experience how legendary artists once worked. This beginner-friendly class is supervised by a professional manga artist and is easy to follow, even if it’s your first time drawing manga. You’ll feel like a mangaka from the 1970s—the era of Osamu Tezuka—by using traditional tools such as dip pens and screen tones. Start by practicing inking techniques, learn how to draw classic manga-style hair, and apply screen tones just as professionals did before digital tools existed. As the class progresses, you’ll move from guided practice to creating your own manga drawing from a blank page. Enjoy the satisfaction of completing your artwork by hand and take your finished piece home as a memorable keepsake. This hands-on experience is perfect for anyone who has ever thought, “I want to draw manga” or “I want to learn professional techniques from the past.”

Turn something old into something new during this lesson in the Japanese art of "Kintsugi," the practice of repairing broken pottery, and there's a chance to see Master Taku on the day of your visit. Stemming from a Japanese belief that breakage and repair are part of the history of an object, rather than a reason to throw it away, your class involves repairing damaged items (plates are provided; personal items are not allowed) with lacquer mixed with gold. Don a "samue" as you refinish one traditional pottery item, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for Japanese aesthetics and a unique souvenir.

Exercise your creative side with this relaxed sumi-e ink wash painting experience in a Tokyo teahouse. Led by an award-winning calligrapher and artist, they share their extensive expertise with you as you learn the best ways to use the water and ink to make a piece of art that’s totally unique and yours.

This hands-on workshop turns one of Japan’s best-known lucky charms into a souvenir designed entirely by you. With a maximum of four travelers, you can create at your own pace in a relaxed setting and receive help from an English-speaking host. Paint pens make the activity approachable even for complete beginners. Your finished maneki-neko is ready to take home as soon as the workshop ends.

In this workshop, we use authentic paints, tools, and materials that are nonetheless easy for beginners to handle. You will have the opportunity to create paints using traditional methods and then use them to paint, as well as experience adding brilliant decorative touches using gold leaf techniques. Additionally, our introduction to the history and concepts of *Nihonga* (Japanese-style painting) will satisfy your intellectual curiosity with surprising facts and fascinating anecdotes.

Add a unique and personal touch to your trip to Japan with an authentic Hanko-making experience. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create your very own original Hanko — a traditional Japanese name seal. In Japan, a Hanko is more than just a stamp; it’s seen as a true symbol of personal identity. During the experience, you’ll learn about the history and cultural significance of Hanko at a long-established seal shop, then carve the characters you’ve chosen into the seal yourself. Finally, take home your one-of-a-kind Hanko — a meaningful and truly special souvenir from Japan. Experience highlights: - Learn about the history and various styles of Hanko at a traditional seal shop - Design your own original Hanko (name seal) - Carve and take home your engraved Hanko as a unique keepsake

Pottery is an art form deeply embedded in Japanese culture. As a visitor, it can be difficult to find a way to experience it. This group class in central Tokyo teaches you how to make pieces, offering hands-on experience in a structured setting. Leave with a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir.

You can also choose experiences other than Sumi-e (ink painting), so please choose what you want to do beforehand. We will ask you by e-mail. In case of Sumi-e While explaining the tools, we will draw a basic Sumi-e bamboo. You will also learn how to look at Sumi-e. In the case of watercolor painting The instructor will choose a photo of a Japanese landscape (Mt. Fuji) as the subject for a landscape painting. The instructor will teach you how to paint your own favorite scenery. For ballpoint pen drawings Participants will be asked to draw a landscape drawing using a photo of a Japanese landscape chosen by the instructor as the subject. You will learn shortcuts for rough finishing. In the case of colored pencil drawings The instructor will teach you how to draw realistically using colored pencils. This is done on postcard size paper.

Seeking out the well-concealed back-alley bars of Tokyo's Shinjuku district is notoriously tricky for outsiders. Take the guesswork out of your trip on this guided tour that takes you barhopping to Izakaya bars in two different alleyways in Shinjuku with a small group. Experience the backstreets of Tokyo and authentic street food and drinks (included) while your guide shares insights into local culture in this atmospheric part of the city.

Raise your sword like a true samurai warrior during a private training session in Tokyo. Don a samurai outfit and train with the katana, then enjoy a photo shoot to commemorate your experience. This private lesson offers personalized attention and includes outfit rental and photo and video footage.

- Create your own Maneki-neko (Lucky Cat), a traditional Japanese symbol of good fortune - Experience a hands-on Maneki-neko painting workshop in Gotokuji, a neighborhood associated with the origins of this iconic cultural symbol - Suitable for all ages and skill levels, with no prior experience required - Personalize your Lucky Cat using specialized paint pens and complimentary decorative stickers - Take your finished creation home with you on the same day as a unique souvenir or gift

Tokyo Kimono Experience We offer traditional Japanese hairstyling, makeup, kimono dressing, commemorative photography, and location photo shoots. We are now hosting a special hands-on Tokyo Yuzen color-painting experience, one of the most popular Tokyo Yuzen style activities. Under the supervision of a Tokyo hand-painted Yuzen artist and workshop, participants will add colors to a pre-drawn traditional design and create a one-of-a-kind original tote bag — the only one in the world. The experience is held every Tuesday at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Each session is a 2-hour course with a maximum of 6 participants. We warmly welcome everyone — from solo guests to friends, families, and groups. We look forward to having you join us!

Begin your experience with an introduction to the program. Then, choose your design from famous Ukiyo-e prints by masters like Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige. Next, use colored pencils or markers to freely add color. Blend traditional style with your own creativity to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Take your finished artwork home in a clear file, perfect as a travel souvenir. Discover the joy of Japanese art in a relaxing, hands-on session that welcomes beginners and enthusiasts alike. Our friendly guidance ensures you feel confident as you explore vibrant colors and timeless designs. This is more than an art activity—it’s a cultural experience that sparks creativity and leaves you with a unique keepsake or a thoughtful gift. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in tradition while creating something truly personal!

Immerse yourself in the art of Japanese calligraphy (Shodo) during a one-hour workshop in Roppongi, led by a PhD-holding master calligrapher. Begin with a live demonstration showcasing traditional brush techniques before diving into ancient scripts like Tensho and Reisho, learning about their evolution from Chinese origins to Japan's unique style. Engage in hands-on practice writing meaningful kanji, such as “夢 (Dream)” or “和 (Harmony),” and create a stunning piece of art on a shikishi board or fan. With an English-speaking assistant to guide you through cultural insights, this experience culminates with a photo opportunity and your own handcrafted artwork, a personal connection to Japanese heritage.

Create your own handmade souvenir while learning a new skill and gaining greater insight into Japanese culture during a private calligraphy session. Choose whether you want to paint your Japanese kanji character onto a t-shirt, a lantern, or a traditional folding umbrella. Your private instructor tells you all you need to know to create beautiful calligraphy, plus enjoy Japanese sweets and green tea while you work.

Step back in time to the old days and experience Japan like a ninja. This small-group class (maximum six people) introduces you to such ninja techniques as ninja meditation (Kuji-In) as well as the use of samurai weapons, including the sword. Get insights into Japanese fuedal times as you practise.

Most Hokusai experiences in Tokyo are behind museum glass. Here you make one. You paint "The Great Wave" with traditional gansai pigments inside a restored 80-year-old wooden house in Kagurazaka — a quiet former geisha quarter of sloping lanes and hidden alleys that most visitors never find. Complete beginners are genuinely welcome. You start from a light pencil guide rather than a blank page, and your English-speaking instructor stays beside you through every step, so people who insist they "can't draw" walk out surprised by what they made. Families are welcome too: children aged 6 and up paint at the same table as the adults, with crayons on hand alongside the brushes, and the instructor adjusts the level of detail so everyone finishes a piece they are proud of. No experience needed, no shipping, no waiting — you leave the same day with your own A3 original, and free-flow soft drinks keep you painting.

Make your own piece of real Japanese lacquerware decorated with gold, and take it home the same day. Maki-e is a 1,000-year-old art: designs are painted in urushi, a natural lacquer made from tree sap, then dusted with gold powder. An artisan can spend weeks on one piece. You'll make yours in 1 hour on a genuine lacquered plate with real lacquer, not a synthetic substitute, taught by an artisan trained under a Living National Treasure, with an English-speaking guide translating. Choose your experience: - Workshop only (1 hr) – perfect for a busy schedule - Workshop + Ukiyo-e Walk (2 hrs) – while your piece sets, walk old Shinagawa-juku and compare Hiroshige and Hokusai prints with the same spots today

Welcome to a private Japanese calligraphy experience in the heart of Shibuya, where tradition, creativity, and a calm atmosphere come together. Led by a friendly and knowledgeable Japanese instructor, this beginner-friendly workshop offers a relaxed and authentic introduction to Japanese calligraphy. You’ll start by learning the basics through simple but important brush practice, then create your own finished piece to take home as a meaningful souvenir. More than just an art activity, this experience is a peaceful and memorable way to enjoy Japanese culture while making something truly your own. ・Enjoy authentic Japanese calligraphy in central Shibuya ・Create your own finished calligraphy piece to take home ・Learn in a calm, welcoming setting with a friendly local instructor

Veer away from the well-trodden tourist activities in Tokyo and try your hand at something a little different—fan painting. With the help of an instructor, you get tips on how to make your fans pop as well as a fresh insight into the role fans have played in Japanese culture and history.