Eat, train, and fight like a real Japanese sumo wrestler during this sumo demonstration and authentic ‘Chanko Nabe’ (hotpot) meal. Discover the history, training, and rules behind the typical sumo match as you watch real clashes. You can even try it yourself during a skirmish with a retired wrestler. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dig into a tasty Chanko Nabe, a filling meal of hotpot, rice, miso, salad, French fries and more, used by these hulking fighters to gain weight. Admission to the demonstration and meals are both covered.

In 4 hours, you will experience Japanese culture and hospitality at home. Experiences include origami, handmade udon, Japanese food, sushi and tempura. Experience matcha and Japanese sweets after meals. We make with you. Drinks (sake, beer, shochu and soft drinks) are free. As a souvenir, Keiko writes your name on colored paper in calligraphy. Through this experience, you will become a member of your home (homecoming TAKA) and make friends all over the world. The next time you visit our home, we welcome you as a family!

Pottery is an art form deeply embedded in Japanese culture. As a visitor, it can be difficult to find a way to experience it. This tour offers just that. You can learn how to make pottery from a sensei (teacher) in central Tokyo.

Turn something old into something new during this lesson in the Japanese art of "Kintsugi," the practice of repairing broken pottery. Stemming from a Japanese belief that breakage and repair are part of the history of an object, rather than a reason to throw them away, your class involves repairing damaged items with lacquer mixed with gold. Don a "samue" as you refinish one traditional pottery item, leaving with a newfound appreciation for Japanese aesthetics and a unique souvenir.

Creative, craft-loving travelers will love the opportunity to make their very own Daruma dolls in the Chofu neighborhood of Tokyo. These cute, round dolls are considered to be good luck charms, and you can write your own wish on the doll to help it come true. Decorate the doll to your own tastes, and have a unique and personalized souvenir to take home with you.

Become an expert calligrapher in this hands-on dynamic session near Tokyo Tower! Here in Japan, calligraphy is more than just writing. We inherited our complex writing system from China over a thousand years' ago, and there's hundreds of years worth of story, evolution and meaning behind each character, and in turn, how we approach calligraphy. Our professional, bilingual calligraphers teach you this fascinating history and more, equipping you with the skills and techniques that Japanese calligraphers have been perfecting for centuries. All in the confines of our state-of-the-art Grand TJT experiences room! All customers make their very own calligraphy wall piece, the perfect souvenir from your trip to Japan.

This tour is perfect for travelers with a sweet tooth, or those who are interested in arts and crafts. Learn how to make intricate Japanese Wagashi sweets during this fascinating small-group experience. Discover the history of this unique skill from an experienced chef, and make four seasonally-inspired sweets. Some may argue that the sweets are far too beautiful to eat, but you’ll get a chance to taste one at the end.

Prepare for battle as you learn the skills of the samurai during this 1- or 2-hour class studying the basic techniques of these ancient Japanese warriors. Take the 1-hour session, providing an introduction to the basics of the samurai art, or choose the 1.5-hour course, practicing more complex movements using a sword and folding fan. When your class ends, enjoy a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion.  This samurai session also includes an English-speaking guide and instructor and a 'tenugui,' a traditional Japanese towel.

Learn the ancient arts of the ninja during this fun-filled introduction to key ninja techniques, culture and weapons. Get suited up in an authentic ‘ninja gi’ outfit as you begin your mental and physical training with an instructor in the ways of the ninja. Among the skills you’ll learn during your session are meditation and ‘Kuja-kiri’ (well-wishing), the ‘Embu’ (ancestor dedication) and an introduction to ninja weapons like the blowgun and ‘shruiken’ (ninja star), among others. You’ll also gain a newfound appreciation for key ninja philosophies like protecting others, community and freedom and have plenty of time for photo-taking at the end.

-our instrctor has more than 10 years experience in Battodo (swordsmanship) -plus acquired silver medal once, bronze medal twice in the all Japan championship during the past 3 years. -our instructor is bilingual in English and Japanese, he explains participants about not solely key points culture and history of samurai and classical martial arts. == -Guided by an instructor swordsman with more than 10 years of experience -Demonstration by instructor swordsman with more than 10 years of experience -Experience using real swords used in the past -The only serious facility in Asakusa

Why don’t you make your own unique souvenir of Kyoto. For yourself, for your loved ones, you can make personalized cup or bowl. And you can choose the color you like. We’ll bake your work. It takes about 3weeks. But don’t worry, we’ll ship it to your doorstep.your work will pleasantly surprise you and remind you of your travel.

The staff will carefully explain the procedure on how to paint these figurines neatly. After this, choose the doll and colors that you want to use in this activity.Start the painting experience by holding your clay doll firmly while you carefully apply the paint. Use pre-existing dolls at the studio as a sample or get creative! Once you're done, wait for the paint to dry before taking your masterpiece back home!

Embrace your inner samurai during this immersive 1-hour swordsmanship and shuriken workshop in Tokyo. Under the guidance of a trained professional, you’ll learn traditional warrior stances such as Hasso, Johdan, and Gedan and practice sparring with a partner. Your instructor will also explain the history behind samurai swordsmanship and its role in Japanese culture. The class will be offered in a traditional ‘dojo’ and you will use a real wooden sword as you learn.

If you want a souvenir that is completely different to anything you might find in the shops, create your own in this glass blowing experience at the Tokyo Glass Art Institute. Choose what you want to create, as well as the color, shape, and design, and, under close instruction, create your own unique glass artwork.

Language barriers can make traveling around Japan a challenging experience for a first-time visitor. This lesson is the perfect antidote for foreign visitors who don’t speak Japanese. Learn essential communications skills, such as how to order at restaurants, how to ask where something is, and lots of useful phrases for the trip. No need to worry about being stuck in a classroom—the tour goes to a local jazz cafe, and a standing bar, so you’ll get to see cool local spots as you learn.

Discover the art of bonsai, the Japanese art of growing miniature trees in an artistic shape, during this hands-on experience near Tokyo. Head to Bonsai-cho and learn various techniques for shaping and pruning bonsai trees while a guide answers any questions you may have. Learn about the history of bonsai, visit a bonsai garden or the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, and get an overview of everything bonsai.

Kyudo is a Japanese martial art based on shooting an arrow from a Japanese bow to a target to reach a complete focus of mind and body. The main difference of kyudo and western archery is that, in kyudo, every movement follows a traditional routine that pays respect to the equipment and to the opponent. You will come to the archery range and dress in an authentic kyudo uniform, which will include dogi—the upper wear—and hakama—the lower wear. I'll give a brief explanation about the art of kyudo as well as instructions and demonstrations. With the knowledge you'll gain, you will learn to shoot arrows at the target. You'll also understand the fun and challenging aspect of the sport, particularly while wearing the traditional hakama and armor. Usually in kyudo, you are not allowed to pull the arrow unless you master the basics. But during our lesson, you will be able to enjoy the real kyudo experience even as a complete beginner. It will be a great time if you are looking for a nice photo or movie to show to your friends.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony Workshop, theory and practice, is conducted by licensed tea masters and is unique in Kyoto. It is set in the Grand Tea Room inside the Jotokuji Temple just 3 minutes walk from Gojo station, or 15 minutes walk from Kyoto station. The ceremony starts with a tour of the Temple followed by the explanation of the history and cultural importance of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. It is educational and enable you to understand the modesty of the Japanese character. The artistic ceremony is performed by the licensed Tea Master and many visitors refer to it as mesmerising. You will then practice the making of the matcha tea by yourself under the guidance of the Tea Master. You will receive a souvenir certificate of attendance after about two weeks.

This experience can enjoy traditional music, culture and architecture at the same time. Shamisen is a Japanese traditional instrument that resembles a guitar. The sounds play by the three strings are very beautiful and cool. It's a bit difficult, but everyone will surely feel fun. I will teach you how to play a Syamisen. Since I teach it from the basics, even a beginner is fine. We will practice the traditional Japanese song. Finally, you play the Shamisen duo with me. If you can play it well, you can do an ensemble of your shamisen and my koto. Let's try it! After the experience, it is tea time with green tea and traditional sweets. While enjoying drinking tea, you can enjoy traditional Japanese manners. The venue is a very precious traditional Kyoto architectural residence. Because it is a private residence, travelers can not usually enter. Only experience guests can enter the house specially.

Chado, a tea ceremony that has roots in Zen, was established in Japan more than 400 years ago. Its fundamental form and style has never changed, and there are still many people studying and enjoying the culture worldwide. A Tea room is a space in which people experience mindfulness, and the tea-making process provides spiritual discipline. This is a chado school licensed from Urasenke Chado School in Kyoto, one of the biggest chado schools in the world. Ms. Mika Soka Haneishi, the owner of the school is a first degree instructor of Urasenke. She has been practicing Chado for over 23 years. This is not tourism—it is rather an immersion in culture.

There are many samurai-themed attractions in Kyoto but this tour lets you feel like a real samurai. Wear traditional clothing or armor and use a real samurai sword to cut tatami mats—a traditional way of testing sharpness and swordmanship.

At LAST SAMURAI, you will appreciate the sword and deepen your knowledge about samurai. And at the end, we ask them to do "trial cutting" using the actual sword. An exciting experience awaits you that you will never experience in your everyday life. In the old days, Iai and sword-cutting techniques were indispensable techniques to protect oneself or protect the Lord during battle. I don't think such a technique is necessary in modern times, but here at LAST SAMURAI, I believe that learning about this technique and samurai under safe instruction will broaden your spirituality and perspective. It will be a great experience for anyone interested in Samurai, Japan.

Experience authentic, traditional and historical Ninja training in English. Best things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo for Activity, Group, Couple, Solo, Kids, Family, Martial arts, Workout, Rain, Evening, City, Indoor and All seasons. You can watch performance and learn ninja techniques, spirits and arts, ninja stars, ninja sword, samurai sword, ninja blowgun, various weapons, body operation and meditation with costumes.

Become a real ninja for the day during this 60-minute experience at the Jidai Academy Dojo in Tokyo. If you’ve ever want to learn about the techniques and culture of the ninja, this entry-level class is a great starting point. Don a real-life ‘ninja gi’ outfit to begin your training, making sure to pose for a few photos first. Among the skills you’ll learn are meditation and ‘Kuja-kiri’ (well-wishing), the ‘Embu’ (ancestor dedication) and an introduction to ninja weapons like the blowgun and ‘shruiken’ (ninja star), among others. You’ll also discover the ninja philosophy of ‘ku’ or no-self, focusing on minimizing conflict.