Hands-on Art & Craft Workshops in Tokyo
When it comes to exploring Japan's rich artistic heritage, Tokyo is a cultural haven. If you are a traveller who want to deepen the understanding of the traditional arts of Japan, the best way is to experience it hands-on through creative workshops and activities. Such workshops are often conducted by locals who takes you on a journey to appreciate the fascinating world of Japanese craftsmanship.
Let's go through some of the engrossing art and craft workshops in Tokyo that you can engage yourself into:
Tsumami-Zaiku Fabric Craft Activity
Originating from around the 1780s, Tsumami-Zaiku is the art of creating intricate designs such as flowers and birds using folded and stitched small pieces of fabric. Learning this 200 year old craft is an exquisite experience you wouldn't want to miss.
Indulge in this workshop and learn all about the interesting history of how the craft began using an old kimono and sharpened chopsticks as a tool. Under the guidance of a skilled artisan, you can choose your favourite colour and fabrics and create stunning floral motifs. You can also take your creations home to cherish as a keepsake of your time in Tokyo.
Handwriting Kanji with Ink on T-shirt Private Art Class
Discover the art of Japanese calligraphy in an art class where you will learn the fundamentals of kanji brush writing. You can pick a kanji sample that you like and then draw it on a t-shirt using the ink colour of your choice. Isn't that an interesting thing to do in Tokyo?
Don't worry! You will be in the good hands of an expert calligrapher as you will create a wearable art of your own. Later, you can go out on the streets, flaunt your artwork, savour Japanese cuisine, and immerse in a full-on Japanese adventure like never before.
Traditional Furoshiki Cloth Wrapping Experience
Furoshiki is a Japanese traditional decorative cloth which is square shaped and used to wrap gifts or goods. The art of furoshiki has a long history starting from 710 BC. As time passed by, the purpose remained the same, to beautifully wrap packages and important items.
When you experience this traditional Japanese cloth wrapping lesson, you also learn to present gifts in an eco-friendly and stylish manner. From basic wrapping to making a wine bottle cover and a furoshiki hat, you will know about various folding techniques in this exceptional workshop.
With sustainability at its core, furoshiki embodies the essence of Japanese aesthetics and offers a practical and elegant solution for gift-gifting. Apart from being one of the interesting things to do in Tokyo, this creative activity will also give you a chance to show-off your newly learnt finesse while gifting souvenirs to your friends.
Edo Kiriko Glass Carving Experience
Do you know that Tokyo's name was Edo during the Edo period of 1603 to 1868, and 'kiriko' (meaning cut glass) art originated from that era? Since then, glass carving has been modified in different eras to make sake glasses, tableware, or lampshades.
This traditional glass cutting art workshop in Tokyo will take you back in time to understand the artistic sophistication of Japan's cultural heritage.
From marking the framework and making the first cuts to adjusting the cut patterns and final polishing of the glass, you will be able to pick up a unique craft that reflects the timeless beauty of Japanese designs. This hands-on experience of carving intricate designs into the glassware is not only fun but also a fantastic way to acknowledge a deeply rooted Japanese craft.
Private Handmade Ring Workshop Activity
Another interesting art workshop in Tokyo that you must try is the Japanese art of metal-working and hammering. Also known as 'tankin', this traditional craft uses a special hammer to bend metals into various shapes. At the handmade ring workshop, you can utilise this special hammer to transform raw metal into a personalised ring.
Choose your favourite metal and its thickness before incorporate old Japanese techniques into shaping a one-of-a-kind jewellery piece that reflect your individual style and creativity. Whether you are crafting a personal memento or a token of love, this activity promises to help you create lasting memories in Tokyo.
Temple Stamp Book Art Class
If you are looking for interesting things to do in Tokyo, learn the art of Goshuincho — an honourable seal/stamp book. Before you visit various temples and shrines in and around Tokyo, you must first learn the proper way of visiting them and collecting Goshuin stamps on your temple stamp book.
For example, if the stamp book isn't the standard size, they might get rejected by the sacred sites. At this creative class, you make your personalised notebooks after choosing your favourite kimono fabric, and folding and sticking papers together.
The stamp book that you create is going to be a token of remembrance for your spiritual adventures in Japan as you visit different temples and collect your proofs of pilgrimage in a rather creative way (or should we say, in an authentic Japanese way).
Zabuton Cotton Stuffing with Futon Craftsman
The ancient art of zabuton originated during the Muromachi period in the 14th century when floor cushions came into existence, to make sitting on the ground comfortable.
Zabutons are used in Japanese culture for various purposes such as meditation, eating, reading, watching TV, and so on.You can also incorporate it into your interior as you take on this unique craft workshop in Tokyo.
A skillful Futon craftsman will teach you how to stuff cotton into the square pieces of fabric, stitch the sides, add the tassels and pack your zabuton in the leftover fabric. You will thank yourself for choosing this hands-on workshop as your handcrafted zabuton will provide you comfort on the flight journey back home.
Authentic Pure Gold Kintsugi Workshop in Tokyo
Sometimes when ceramics break in Japan, locals don't just repair them, but they transform the broken pieces into an exquisite piece of art, symbolising resilience and the beauty of impermanence. Kintsugi is a Japanese art that repairs broken pottery using the lacquer dusted with gold, silver, or platinum.
The literal meaning of kintsugi translates to golden seams and the philosophy behind it is to embrace imperfection and find beauty in flaws.This is one of the most beautiful and interesting workshops in Tokyo where you can learn how to mend cracks in your pottery from a master artisan.
At a kintsugi workshop in Tokyo, you will know all about its history, the science behind the materials used, and the Japanese ancient art of mixing dried lacquer with gold powder and creating a stunning artwork from the chipped ceramics. This interactive activity will give you a sense of contentment of experiencing Japanese arts and crafts into the most authentic way possible.
Handmade Traditional Japanese Paper Workshop in Tokyo
The historical art of Japanese paper making originated from 610 AD and was introduced by the Buddhist monks. The inner barks of three different regenerating shrubs are used to make the primary fibres of the paper. One of these is the kozo (paper mulberry) tree that you may find familiar from the traditional washi (Japanese paper) making workshop.
From peeling the bark of the kozo tree to forming sheets and drying them, you can experience the entire paper creation process along with its intriguing history from the local experts. Discovering this traditional Japanese technique of crafting handmade paper sheets from scratch will surely take you on a journey through the age-old culture and unique heritage of the country. Take your papers back home to write about your unforgettable Japan trip or gift them as souvenirs to your loved ones.
Explore Tokyo through Artistic Workshops
In the heart of Tokyo's neon-lit busy streets, there lies a plethora of artistic wonders waiting to be explored. From the transformative practice of kintsugi to the delicate art of Tsumami-Zaiku, each workshop and creative activities are some of the most interesting things to do in Tokyo that offer a glimpse into Japan's rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship traditions.
If you are an art lover and are seeking to learn a new skill in Tokyo, or simply want to take delight in manually designing personalised souvenirs, these must-try arts and crafts hands-on experiences offered by Pelago promise to inspire travellers of all ages.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is the oldest Japanese craft?
One of the oldest Japanese crafts is pottery, with a history dating back thousands of years.
Where can I see traditional Japanese art in Tokyo?
You can see traditional Japanese art at museums in Tokyo such as Tokyo National Museum, Japan Traditional Craft Center, and Edo-Tokyo Museum.
What is an art or craft for which the Japanese are famous?
The Japanese are famous for a variety of arts and crafts including, pottery, calligraphy, tea ceremony, ikebana, origami, kintsugi, and so on.
What type of art is common in Japan?
Common types of art in Japan include traditional arts such as painting, calligraphy, ceramics and textile arts, as well as contemporary art forms such as manga, anime, and street art.
What city in Japan is known for art?
Tokyo and Kyoto are both known for their vibrant art scenes.