Top Nagoya Arts & Design

Learn how to draw manga, the Japanese cartoon-style sketches, during a workshop in Nagoya. With a private guide at your side to translate, you'll meet the manga school manager and learn how to use G-pens, screen tone, and other tools to create your very own manga drawing. If time permits at the end of the class, there may be chance for a short tour of the culture-rich Osu shopping arcade, which is nearby.

Take home a new skill as well as memories with this traditional Japanese wrapping class in Nagoya. Teaching you the art of furoshiki (wrapping presents in fabric), the class shows you ways to wrap gifts of any shape and size in a classic Japanese style. Shop for fabric near the Fushimi station with a guide, then travel to the Nishiasahi enclave where the class takes place.

Take part in a shibori tie-dye workshop in Arimatsu and learn all about this ancient Japanese art from a local guide. The experience starts with a walking tour around the old city, so you can admire its original Edo-era buildings, shop for souvenir shibori art, and visit the Tie-Dyeing Museum. Afterward, you'll head to your workshop to create your very own shibori tie-dye masterpiece. Choose from two options when you book online.

Learn to do origami in Nagoya and create your own figures out of washi paper. The ancient Japanese art involves folding paper to make both classic and complex creations, and you'll do it with the help of your own paper folding pro. Make shapes such as the Japanese crane and the star-like kusudama, and take home your origami creations at the end of the class.

Japanese ceramics is popular all over the world. Seto is an area representative of ceramics, a tourist area not even the Japanese know! First visit a museum to learn and experience setoyaki. Here we set foot into Seto olden times where setoyaki flourished. Don't miss the beautiful wall made in the kiln, a great photo opportunity! Explore a large kiln used in the past, choose your favorite cup to drink coffee and other activities only possible in Seto. You can also make and design your own unique plates. We will take you on a journey to discover Japanese ceramics, an unique experience only possible in Seto.

Discover Japan’s culture of ‘monozukuri' (craftsmanship) on this private half-day tour of Nagoya. Visit two renowned companies, the car manufacturer Toyota, and Noritake—a tableware and technology company. Hear how Central Japan became a key region for advanced manufacturing as you watch live demonstrations, hear informative commentary, and check out exhibitions on a tour that includes admission ticket and private guide.

"Take a train and bus from Nagoya to Asuke. Deep in the mountains, Asuke is famous for its autumn leaves, Korankei. It is a popular spot in November during Korankei, but a spot enjoyable all year round. Walk around the old town along the beautiful river, you will see many old-fashioned buildings. There are no tourists to be seen around, why don't you keep this city a secret to yourself? The highlight is Asuke Yashiki, explore and experience craftsmanship here. In a time with no electricity, people's lives were full with wisdom. Discover the craftsmanship from this era. Choose your favorite craft to explore, bamboo basket making, painting or weaving. Let's make an unique sovenir for yourself!"

Nagoya Castle is a popular site, but for history lovers, we also recommend Atsuta Jingu. About 5 mins by train from Nagoya station, Atsuta Jingu is located in a vast precinct away from the city. Its history goes back to 1900 years. It is a historical Jingu made from Japanese myth and legend of the Emperor's family. Next is Nagoya Castle of the Owari Tokugawa family with over 400 years of history and the Tokugawa Art Museum. See the gorgeous interiors, national treasures, and important cultural assets. It is necessary to travel by bus and train, so you should be with a guide! Whether it's your first visit to Japan or not, it is a highly recommended plan with Japanese history and culture.

A tour around luxurious and majestic buildings built in Meiji and Taisho eras, a plan that architecture lovers can enjoy! The magnificent castle-like buildings are secretly popular with the locals as photo spots and are also used assets for various dramas and movies. Enjoy both Western and Japanese style architecture on this tour. There is also a place where both styles are mixed in a room, enjoy the unique beauty of Japanese architecture only to be seen here. This is recommended for anyone interested in architecture, Japanese culture, and photography! It's a shame tourist miss this spot when Nagoya Castle is close by. Want to stroll around Nagoya's local town? Take a tour with otomo!

Refresh yourself in the spectacular scenery of Takayama and Shirakawa-go, two settlements found deep in the mountains of Gifu. Learn about their abundant traditional architecture dating back to over 400 years ago, and the culture surrounding them. You will gain a lot of knowledge and fun facts with your English-speaking guide driver.

Make your Nagoya visit into a work of art thanks to this 1.5-hour ‘Shodo’ calligraphy class. Get a step-by-step introduction to this Japanese writing style, practicing the proper posture for your ‘fude’ (brush) and marking your page with ‘bokujyu’ (black ink) to form words like ‘love,’ ‘friend,’ and ‘samurai.’ You’ll leave class with a one-of-a-kind calligraphy souvenir created during your lesson.