10 best craft workshops and classes in Tokyo

Traditional indigo dyeing, or aizome, dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) when everything from kimono to futon covers were dyed this rich blue colour. Today, most modern fabrics are synthetically coloured, but the art of aizome is kept alive by a few places in and around Tokyo still practising this traditional art. If you’re looking to try it out for yourself, head to Mizuno Dye Factory at Hibiya Okuroji, a studio and store that offers indigo-dyeing experiences every weekend.

After booking a session, you can purchase items at the store, which you can use to dye, including T-shirts, tenugui towels, cloth bags and hoodies. Alternatively, you can bring your own items as long as the material is made of cotton, linen, silk or rayon.

The cost of the workshop is determined by the item you pick or the weight of the item you bring in (¥66 per gram). The experience is held every Saturday and Sunday at noon, 2pm and 4pm. Weekday sessions are possible with prior arrangement.

Kintsugi is the traditional art of restoring broken ceramics with lacquer and gold. The practice of mending pottery through this technique has been around for centuries. It highlights the beauty of imperfections while symbolising that broken things can be made more resilient than before.

At Makers’ Base, you can repair your choice of ceramics, porcelain or glassware at a two-hour workshop. After you’ve learnt how to reshape your vessel with putty, synthetic lacquer is applied to the broken areas before being finished off with gold or silver powder. If you already have a broken item, you can bring it in with you to fix. Otherwise, you can purchase a vessel at the workshop for ¥1,500 a piece. 

Ever wondered how they make those tempting fake food samples in front of restaurants? To discover how they can look so realistic and mouth-watering, sign up for a workshop at Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya in Kappabashi Kitchen Town. One of Tokyo’s main food replica suppliers, the shop offers classes where you can participate in crafting tempura and lettuce replicas out of wax.

You’ll get to pick two food items which you will cover with a wax ‘tempura batter’ as well as craft a small head of iceberg lettuce. The helpful staff speak English and are attentive in helping you through every step of the process. Once complete, your food samples will be packed in takeaway food packaging so that you can easily take them home. Beware though, these samples really do look good enough to eat.

One of Tokyo’s homegrown crafts, edo kiriko is the art of cutting beautiful geometric patterns into colourful glassware. The art has been around for nearly 200 years, and there are still artisans in Tokyo dedicated to creating the most beautiful glass tableware and accessories, such as Sokichi in Asakusa.

Edo kiriko can be etched into many types of glassware including sake glasses, tea cups and even flower vases. At Sokichi, you can try crafting a kiriko glass after being inspired by the samples provided.

The workshop takes about 90 minutes (or 120 minutes for the long course) and is available in Japanese, English and Chinese. You can etch a design on either transparent or coloured glass, with designs ranging from simple beginner styles to more difficult, elaborate patterns.

Less is more when it comes to Japanese flower arrangements, particularly the art of ikebana. The workshops taught at Atelier Soka follow the Sogetsu style of ikebana, which is considered more modern than traditional styles. Arrangements made according to this particular approach are ideal for artistic displays in public spaces and, of course, at home.

There are a number of English-friendly classes at Atelier Soka, including one hosted by Japanese floral artist Mika Otani, where you’ll learn the basic skills of ikebana and have the chance to mingle with other practitioners. The class will equip you with all the tools you’ll need, including special ikebana scissors, flowers, and the kenzan or the small spiky tool you use to hold the flowers in place.

While you learn the basics of arranging beautiful florals, the class will also delve into the deeper meaning behind ikebana, which allows you to showcase a sense of self-expression.

At this cheerful ink shop, you can customise your very own colour blend to use with fountain and ballpoint pens. The process is simple: at the self-order workshop (reservations necessary via website) you choose from a few basic colours, play around with the ratios until you get your perfect mix, and then submit your order at the shop.

After about an hour, your ink set will be ready, including a receipt card with all your colour information in case you want to order the same mix again. If you need assistance, you can arrange for a staff member to help you customise your colour. While you’re waiting for your ink, take a browse at Inkstand’s sister shop Kakimori (on the first floor), where you can stock up on stationery goods to showcase your snazzy new colours.

Whether it’s cranes, butterflies or something far more original, origami – traditional Japanese paper folding – has been practiced for centuries, and this is the country’s premier origami centre. You could do it yourself using the instructional books available for purchase, and selected origami paper packages in store come with instructions in English. Or, better still, sign up for a workshop (available in Japanese or English) and learn how to create all sorts of origami designs from the in-house experts.

The classes vary with the seasons, so in winter you might create Hinamatsuri dolls in time for the March festival, or you might learn how to make more practical items like origami jewellery or a year-round favourite, the crane. 

Ever dreamed of making your own pair of shoes? At this charmingly ramshackle Nakameguro store, you can become a cobbler for a day and custom-make your own pair of leather sandals or shoes with the help of the shop’s artisans.

Run by a friendly husband-and-wife duo, this homely shop sells ready-made leather goods like wallets and phone cases, although the leather workshops are the highlight. The leather is sourced from Tochigi prefecture, and you’ll need to set aside around two to five hours to complete your pair of shoes. If your wardrobe is already overflowing with footwear, you can opt to make a leather handbag instead. Just visit their website to select the item you’d like to make and you’ll be crafting your very own accessory in no time.

This small, charming Kichijoji workshop offers classes in making small leather goods and brass or silver jewellery to people of varying experience levels. There’s really no set formula here, and the friendly owner will help you craft anything you’re itching to make. If you’re just visiting, you can choose from the ready-made items or have the owner customise something for you on the spot. Cool brass bracelets perfect for stacking and layering are available, as well as a variety of rings, like one made from a brass nail. Once customised to fit, items can be personalised with your name or a special message. 

At this longstanding store and cultural centre, you can discover the beauty of Japanese washi paper – and try making it yourself. The first floor houses a tea shop where you can stock up on paper and calligraphy goods, and the Washi Experience Studio, where you can learn how to make washi paper at its frequent workshops.

The second floor gallery space hosts weekly exhibitions and guest washi craftsmen from around Japan, plus the Ozu Culture School, where serious students can sign up for a variety of classes. Finally, the third floor houses the informative Ozu History Museum, which details the many types of washi from various Japanese regions.

Information is available in English and you can touch and feel the different types of paper. The washi-making workshop takes an hour, and you can bring your paper home with you on the same day. Workshop time and reservations can be made here.