Calligraphy Culture SHODO Experience in Tokyo

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Tokyo, Japan

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

· lisa_r ·

Apr 2026

our teacher was very nice and kind and patient to show us the techniques of calligraphy. It was worth the drive out and something memorable that we did as a family and we have a piece of art work we made to take home.

· Elizabeth_S ·

Nov 2025

An excellent experience with a friendly and helpful teacher and it was great fun. I was the only pupil so I had a personal lesson! I tried to learn how to write “knitting” in Japanese which involves complicated characters!! But it was good to try and makes a lightweight souvenir!

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Overview

For travelers who have tired of racing around Tokyo ticking off blockbuster sights, this small-group calligraphy workshop offers a more intimate way to connect to Japanese culture and history. Master the basics in just one lesson, from the correct way to hold a brush to drawing lines and even writing your name in Japanese characters. Plus, you’ll get to take home your own handiwork—the ultimate Tokyo souvenir.

Workshops are limited to only five participants, ensuring personalized instruction
All calligraphy supplies are included, so you don't need to stress over materials
Easy-to-reach location near public transportation and just a 5-minute walk from Iriya Station
By the end of the workshop, understand basic calligraphy techniques you can keep practicing

What's Included

Calligraphy supplies are also included.

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Tokyo Iriya Shodo Club (Japanese calligraphy Experience in Tokyo)
Japan, 110-0013 Tokyo, Taito City, Iriya, 2-chōme−29−２ 2階
The space is the second floor of ”Hostel Bedgasm”. The red brick building is Hostel Bedgasm. Please go up to 2nd Floor of this building.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 5 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 72 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

Calligraphy in Tokyo worthwhile

lisa_r, Apr 2026

Enjoyed our calligraphy class!

SungYeon_C, Mar 2026

This was a really fun experience! Learned about Japanese language as well. Host is super friendly and kind.

A fun and unique experience with the sweetest teacher

Joseph_R, Mar 2026

This was really fun. I was the only participant, so the intimacy made it even better. The location is easy to get to by metro and is located inside a hostel. My teacher was the sweetest woman who spoke great English and was very patient with me, even though I'm apparently terrible at calligraphy. (She's also a food artist, showing me the beautiful flower sushi rolls she made.) Over the course of the one-hour class, she taught me about the history of calligraphy, the tools used, the various brush strokes, and let me practice a ton. At the end, I created my final "masterpiece" to take home and she thoughtfully put it in a protective sleeve to endure the journey. I definitely recommend this class if you're looking for a unique experience in Tokyo!

Beginning to learn Japanese calligraphy

Elizabeth_S, Nov 2025

An authentic local experience in learning Japanese calligraphy.

Philip_S, Oct 2025

A really enjoyable and informative experience with our host and teacher Zuisen who was very knowledgeable, spoke great English and was very patient with our calligraphy training! Highly recommended.

Just what I'd hoped for and more

Stephanie_K, Jul 2025

My family loved our Calligraphy experience with Sachie. She was a wonderful and engaging teacher. Taito was a fun area to explore as well so save time for that.

Must do- I wrote my name in Katakana calligraphy and Google Translate recognized it!

Harsh_V, Dec 2024

Loved our teacher! She is very talented, patient, and knows how to teach even an art divergent guy like me! And the setting - 4 students in a cozy classroom in an authentic boarding house - gave the feeling of being in an actual old Nihongo school!

Super recommend!

Giulia_B, Oct 2024

Such a great experience! We learned about the different ways of writing in Japanese, practiced basic shapes and then a few words. At the end we learned to write our favourite word on a nice cardboard paper to take home with us. Definitely recommended. The workshop is in the hostel, so you’d have to ask inside.

My Japanese calligraphy experience with Sachie

Domenica_P, Jul 2024

It was a truly awesome and unique experience; it was so interesting to discover more of the Japanese culture through hiragana, katakana and kanji. Sachie, my calligraphy teacher, was so lovely, kind, helpful and insightful; this made it an enjoyable experience. Loved every minute of it and I would definitely recommend it!

Adorable

Meline_C, Jun 2024

I was all alone but I loved it, they were adorable and I was able to write everything I wanted. I am now an artist 🧑‍🎨 who must continue to train but I now have all the weapons in my pocket. 👍 I recommend to everyone 100%

Bad Location

Angela_J, May 2024

Sathcie was great however the location of the experience was anything but delightful. We were constantly interrupted by people who apparently co lived in the space so during the class they were making food and washing clothes etc which too away from the experience.

Great instructor. Small group. Relaxed environment.

Kevin_B, Apr 2024

We attended in late March 2024. Sachie is friendly, knowledgeable and very patient. She really loves her art and wants to share it with others. We met in the kitchen of a hostile. Sachie explained the art and had us practice a variety of Katakana and Kanji characters. At the end of the class, she gave us display boards to write our own preferred Kanji and sign our names in Katakana. We had plenty of time to complete the tasks. This is a reasonably priced experience with a great instructor. Highly recommended.