TOKYO
The Tokyo shortlist.
The 15 most popular workshops in Tokyo right now. Here is what each one costs, how long it takes, and who actually runs it, so you can pick the one worth a day and book it.
Asakusa sushi class near Tokyo Skytree. Learn sushi history with a quiz, make maki and nigiri, and eat your creations with English help.
Most Popular“Great class! Lots of fun and super delicious. Really good to do with kids.”
Make nigiri sushi with tuna and salmon in Tokyo, wear a happi coat, and eat your creations after 90 minutes.
“Perfect experience, Mikoto was the best teacher and chef we could wish for, thank you very much!”
Make your own Ginza chopsticks in one hour. Pick from 24 woods, plane and sand by hand, oil-finish, and optionally engrave names.
“We had an excellent experience at this chopstick-making class in Ginza and would absolutely recommend it. We did this to celebrate my son’s 12th birthday, and it was the perfect activity—just one hour, which was exactly the right amount of time. You can choose free wood or upgrade to specialty woods. I used oak, and…”
Real dojo training in Machida: iai sword cutting, gekken sparring, and traditional horseback-archery bow with Yoshioki Sumida (3 hrs)
“Amazing intruction and experience. Instructors made a very welcoming and fun environment while making it easy to learn. Can't recommend enough!”
Learn nigiri and maki with a pro chef in Tsukiji. Hands-on sushi class in Tokyo with fresh market fish, tea, and dashi.
“AJ and today's chef were wonderful, brought tons of positive energy and gave me a very personal experience as a cooking enthusiast. i will take these new skills and apply them back in the States, with love and find memories!”
Make your own wooden chopsticks in a calm Shinjuku workshop with English guidance. Take them home. 1 hour, $12.
“This activity is extremely fun and the chop sticks turn out really well they looked really amazing and really different experience!! When I struggled, the staff named Masa-san helped me and I could get to the end of the workshop. Thank you so much”
A hands-on Tokyo sushi making class in a small English-friendly kitchen, learning sushi rice plus nigiri, inari, and rolls.
“It was really a good experience and instructors were also super nice 👍”
Pick your wood, carve, sand, and oil custom chopsticks in Tokyo. English help, optional name engraving, 1 hour.
“I was really good. A lot if other tourist there, but also some Japanese people. So if you want to meet other people it can be a nice place for that. They let us take our time, even if it takes longer than an hour. I purchased one of the wood you have to pay…”
Wear samurai armor and learn katana basics in Asakusa, then tour exhibits, pose for photos, and try ninja weapons in 2 hours.
“Awesome experience, especially the samurai lesson with Ryo.”
Hands-on Tokyo class making Wagyu sukiyaki plus 7 other Japanese dishes, with recipes, friendly English guides, and a full meal.
“We made 7 different types of yummy and tasty dishes which came together at the end to a full course traditional Japanese meal - all steps along the way explained and demonstrated by very friendly and expert cooking ladies, Yuki & Yuki & Yuko. Thank you all for this excellent and yummy experience!!”
Build a custom DMG-01 Game Boy in Akihabara: choose parts and colors, disassemble and rebuild, then take home a working handheld.
“the activity guides were super helpful and informative. there are extensive customisation options and the game boy you bring home is priceless.”
Asakusa chado workshop: learn koicha and usucha matcha, taste Sakura tea and sweets, practice serving, and make your own bowl in 1.5 hours.
“This was a highly educational and personable workshop. It’s based out of a school that teaches ceremony hosts/masters, and our host has been practicing tea ceremony for 28 years. She was very hospitable and kind. We learned about the history and practice of the tea ceremony as well as about the different types of teas…”
Tokyo knife workshop in Asakusa: sharpen a Japanese-style blade, engrave your name in Japanese, and take home a custom knife.
“Oh man, I honestly can’t say enough good things about this workshop. We learned some seriously cool things about the history of Japanese knives. It comes with a basic knife but you can pay a bit more if you want to get a nicer one and we both did. They ended up looking AMAZING! My…”
Cook classic Japanese comfort foods near Shinjuku with an English-speaking instructor, choose your menu, handle dietary needs, then eat together.
“The cooking class was wonderful and so much fun! Lulu was a wonderful teacher, and we learned lots that we’ll be able to bring home. We chose the Gozen meal, and she accommodated our special request to make chicken teriyaki. I would totally recommend this class. It felt very personal and authentic.”
Make your own Tokyo chopsticks in a small-group, English-friendly workshop. Choose wood, carve by hand, and take them home same day.
“This was a highlight of our trip! It was an amazing experience, and the staff was very personable. We had Kaana and she was very lovely. I would highly recommend this activity.”
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