Tokyo Japanese Calligraphy Experience with a Master Artist
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Tokyo, Japan
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Learn the traditional art of Japanese calligraphy, called *shodo,* in Tokyo. Under the expert eye of a master calligrapher, you’ll practice using the tools of the trade: brushes, ink, and paper. Settle into a quiet studio, where the ambiance encourages a contemplative mindset, and try your hand at writing Japanese characters in an artistic style once indispensable to nobles and samurai.
- Learn a new skill on vacation with hands-on guidance throughout
- Discover the noble skill of shodo from a master calligrapher
- Use brush strokes on paper to practice this age-old art form
- Learn about traditional and contemporary Japanese culture
What's Included
- Professional guide
- All necessary equipment
- English guide
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Please add 6000 yen to the tour price for hotel pick up
- Private transportationTaxi / Private Car or Bus
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Umeyashiki Station2 Chome-28 Kamata, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0052, Japan
Umeyashiki Station
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
球鶴書道教室
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Minimum number of participants for booking:2
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 38 reviews
Vishaal_S, Aug 2024
This was a personal and memorable experience. The guide(+translator) very helpfully guided me to the nearest station, and from where she led me to the calligraphy master's studio, a small space with gentle music. The master was very friendly and welcoming, even though he spoke only in Japanese.
The experience itself was amazing; not in some spectacular way, but in a deeper way.. I found it similar to doing yoga and music - he encourages you to focus on the experience of making those strokes, how it feel and should feel, body and mind, in addition to teaching the nuances of the art form. He was patient and encouraging throughout. There were many things to appreciate and think about from that experience, calligraphy itself just one of them!
At the end of the session, the guide was so kind as to walk me back to the station and act as a translator to help me buy some sweets on the way!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear valued guest,
Thank you for sharing your precious experience! So interesting to hear that you found the Japanese calligraphy similar to yoga and music, and I totally agree to it.
It is our pleasure to know that you had a memorable time in Japan and we hope to see you again for more tours in the future!
Best regards,
Kyoko
Jnaneshwar_D, May 2024
This was the last activity I did through a two week stay in Japan, and I couldn't have hoped for a better experience to leave Japan with!
Michiko San (our interpreter) got in touch with me well in advance, and met me at Umeyashiki station, and we went straight to Matsumura San's studio. Over the course of the next 90 minutes or so, Matsumura San patiently showed me the ways of Japanese calligraphy -- how to hold the brush, how to relax the body, how to move the brush. We went through a sequence of strokes and symbols, before culminating our experience with a symbol of my choice (I picked Bu from Bushido).
Michiko San was wonderful with interpreting for us, and to be honest, the language barrier between Matsumura San and I made the experience even more fun, and almost poetic, since I could sense his excitement when speaking in Japanese. Overall, I suppose I was a good student, since he seemed very happy :)
I left with a feeling of calm, and focused energy, and I am so glad I signed up for this experience!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you so much for your review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with your guide Michiko. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience soon!
Regards,
Mariko
Danilo_H, Apr 2024
Scam! Unfortunately we didn't get what we paid for. This review is for viator.com, not for the teacher and the guide, who were both wonderful!
On viator.com there were options for calligraphy classes ranging from 1h and 1,5h to 2h. We chose to book the 2h class because we wanted to learn more about calligraphy than we would in 1h. After a pick up just a couple minutes before class the calligraphy lesson went for 1h and 5 minutes. As mentioned above, the teacher and the translator were really nice, but it wasn't the 2h class we had booked. When we tried to discuss this with viator.com, they sent us an email stating that the 2h refer to the time which is needed for the "whole experience" and that sometimes, the guide offers to take guests on a short tour through the neighbourhood. The tour hadn't been in the class description when we booked and it wasn't offered to us. (Which is fine because we signed up for calligraphy). Also they mentioned in their email that a class can last between 1 - 1,5h depending on the skill of the students. Which sounds unfair and isn't a strong argument considering it said 2h in the booking description. (After our complaint they changed the description on Viator from 2h to 1,5h.)
We asked for a partial refund since for us the difference between a 2h class and a class of 1h and 5min feels too much. Unfortunately, we did not get any positive reaction to settle this problem and find a compromise.
So sad to say, booking over viator.com was a bad experience for us.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Danilo Halle,
We're sorry that you were dissatisfied with the experience, but as we told you, the two hours of the experience is only an estimate. You are a professional artist working in Germany, and we understand that you wanted to have more perfection in your work during this experience. However, the Master has decided that your calligraphy skills are much higher than those of ordinary people and that you do not need to practice as much as the regular participants. This is an area over which we have no control, and we understand from the interpreter that you did not complain that you wanted more practice on site. So we believe that we have provided a legitimate service. We do not think it is fair of you to complain after the fact and demand a refund.
Best regards,
Takeshi
Ari_G, Dec 2022
I had a wonderful time with the master. He was very patient and kind. I have a new found love for Japanese calligraphy. I would do it again.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Thank you so much for joining the workshop and posting an excellent review! We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with the master. We appreciate your participation so much and when you have the chance to travel Japan again, we will be happy to host you anywhere at any time.
Best regards,
Takeshi
Jennifer_L, Oct 2019
Everyone was so kind and helpful, what a great first experience with calligraphy! Thank you so much for such a wonderful time!
Chris_J, Sep 2017
Fantastic experience and totally lovely people! Highly recommended.
Martha S, May 2017
Great experience! The tour guide was lovely. The teacher an artist, with great knowledge and patience.
They discover that was my birthday and sang happy birthday, and gave me a beautiful gift.
Thanks to everyone, that made it possible.
Katy B, Mar 2017
A must do cultural experience if you're travelling to Japan! Our guide Yoko, who took us from the railway station to the Master's studio and back again, was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. It was such a once in a lifetime cultural experience, being a beginner to learn about calligraphy from a Master first hand. It was a happy atmosphere and the Master was very kind and patient with us. We can't wait to show our family and friends what we achieved, and have it framed!
Amy P, Mar 2017
Our translator Yoko was very prepared and helpful. The calligraphy instructor was knowledgable, talented, and very funny. We worked hard and ended up creating some great wok. Our 9 year old daughter got to work on her name and other phrases and had a wonderful time. If you are interested in learning something about Japanese culture, this class is informative and educational.
Elizabeth F, Jul 2016
The master's work is amazing. He has so much patience and a good personality to instruct students in creating calligraphy. We got to keep our work which was a nice souvenir.
From $90.13
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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