KYOTO
Kyoto’s most-loved days out.
The 15 most popular traditional crafts & workshops in Kyoto. What each one involves, how long it runs, what it costs, and who you book with.
Make chopsticks in Kyoto Gion with a traditional hand plane, choose Japanese wood, and optionally engrave your name for a useful souvenir.
Most Popular“Good set-up, tooling and instruction, if not a bit a “production line” feel. Easy to make chopsticks, and engaging staff. Only one of the advertised two choices of wood was available which was a disappointing.”
Forge a Kyoto ninja shuriken or kunai in 150 minutes with real steel, kanji engraving, blackening, and a take-home box.
“This was fascinating. We had never done anything remotely like this before and it was so cool coming away with your own item at the end that you forged yourself!”
Forge a Japanese-style knife in Kyoto: heat and hammer steel, sharpen and polish, then take home a practical 13–15 cm blade in 3 hours.
“The instructions were excellent and patient. Great experience!”
Make seasonal nerikiri sweets and whisk Uji matcha in Kyoto. English support when needed, then enjoy what you made.
“very well arranged. it was quite some fun to see what you prepare also in the market! the instructor was excellent mastering both japanease and english. thank you.”
Kyoto shodo at Seigan-ji: learn brush strokes in a Buddhist temple, choose your kanji, and take home shikishi art and a key-chain souvenir.
“Fantastic first experience into Japanese calligraphy! The teacher explained the technique very well and both her and the translators guided us along the way into improving what we were drawing. In the end we left with a beautiful drawing with our chosen word, nice pictures and a surprise gift from the teacher. All in all,…”
Make your own Roketsu dyed shirt or tote in Kyoto: draw a design, paint wax resist, dye in a bucket, and take it home same day.
“We had a great time at this workshop. The instructors were both lovely and very helpful. Our final products turned out even better than we expected! The course suggested 1.5-2 hours but we did more intricate designs and it took about 3 hours. We never felt rushed and there were others that finished before and…”
Kyoto calligraphy class near Kyoto Station. English-led 1-hour practice with ink, washi paper, and take-home scrolls and souvenirs.
“It was very fun, we learned the meaning of our names and more. The guides were extremely kind and helpful.”
Learn SHODO calligraphy in central Kyoto at Gojo Paradiso. Practice brush strokes, write kanji, and take home your own masterpiece.
“Thoroughly enjoyed the workshop, people were lovely”
Learn kanji calligraphy in a Kyoto home near Nijo Castle. Practice brush strokes, write your name, and take your finished art home.
“I was very impressed with Aya's skills and her teaching technique. Thanks to her, I managed to draw a decent kanji 😊 Thank you very much for the experience!”
Create your own Kyoto Yuzen silk art in a Nishijin machiya, guided by an artisan with a small group and interpreter support.
“I liked how you could change colours and the Yuzan master would make suggestions so the colours in the final product were harmonious. I also liked that I was not rushed even though we were over the scheduled end time.”
Practice Japanese shodō in a quiet Kyoto townhouse near Kiyomizu and Ninenzaka, guided by English-speaking instructors. Take home your calligraphy.
“Kind and patient but excellent teachers. Short class But fun. We came away with our own handmade Kanji symbol”
Forge your Japanese knife in Kyoto in a small group. Uniform and tools included. Learn hammering, sharpening, polishing.
“Had a great time at Nin Studio. Very educational, would highly recommend it. Instructors made the experience.”
Forge a real ninja weapon in Kyoto with step-by-step guidance, kanji engraving, and a dark finish you can take home.
“Very pricey for what it felt like a conveyor belt activity with very little explanation and we did not make the ninja weapon. It was mostly sharpened and literally hitting with the hammer 5 times (for the photo)”
Private Japanese calligraphy in central Kyoto to learn shodō brush strokes with a master, and take home your own kanji and name.
“I’m here with a tour group & was thrilled to have the chance to break away from the group one afternoon & sign up for this class. So far, this experience has been one of my favorites from my entire trip to Japan! Aya is patient & kind teacher. Read more”
Small-group Japanese calligraphy near Kyoto Station. Learn Shodo basics, write practice kanji and your name, then take keepsakes home.
“The staff were very helpful and chatty, and guided us through creating a set of souvenirs for ourselves with our names and favourite words in Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana characters.”
Every district, every season, and every way to see the old capital.
