Top Kyoto Art & Culture Classes - page 2

How about adding a touch of Japanese flair to your life? You can learn the basics of ikebana, the art of flower arranging. My sessions are designed to extend beyond a single experience, so you can continue practicing even after returning home. Participants often express a desire to try it out as soon as they get back. Ikebana has a history of over a thousand years in Japan. I encourage you to give it a try yourself!

Which do you want to try? Traditional style or modern style? Or you'll be able to try both. Please let us know when you come. During the Ikebana workshop, you'll create your own masterpiece, guided by our instructors. Your artwork will be displayed in a tokonoma (alcove) in a traditional Japanese room, where tea ceremony is held. For those who wish, you're welcome to take your floral creation to your hotel with you, adding a touch of elegance to your hotel room. This experience is a time for immersion in nature, showing reverence for it and engaging in self-dialogue. It is a form of meditation. The artwork in front of you is an expression derived from your past and present. It is recommended for those seeking new Zen experiences. Our style diverges slightly from classic forms, focusing on bringing out the beauty while respecting the natural form of the plants themselves. It might be likened to a primitive style, evoking a sense of wabi-sabi.

My specialty is portraiture and I infuse my experiences as an International photographer into your imagery. This short class will teach you the basics of how to take remarkable photographs. You will also get an exceptional and enjoyable experience in the heart of Japan.

The Teaspoon that you will experience making is made from Kyomei bamboo "white bamboo". You can complete it on the spot and take it home. Kyomei bamboo "white bamboo" is shaved to the desired fineness with a small knife and finished with sandpaper. Please come and remember your sightseeing in Kyoto.

Visitors to Kyoto quickly realize how crowded the city’s famous temples are. This tour is unique in offering the opportunity to visit a major yet quiet, uncrowded Buddhist temple complex, featuring the largest wooden building in the world. The temple is popularly known as Higashi Honganji and is located within easy walking distance of Kyoto Station. Your guide, a twenty-five year resident of Japan, is American-born Buddhist priest and scholar Rev. Dr. Brian Victoria. Dr. Victoria will introduce you to the fascinating history of this temple together with the doctrines and iconography of the True Pure Land sect of Buddhism with which it is affiliated. Following your visit to Higashi Honganji, the tour moves to nearby Shosei-en, a large, temple-affiliated, traditional Japanese garden, complete with ponds and tea houses. Dr. Victoria will explain the history of Japanese gardens and tea houses as well as answer any questions you may have about Buddhist beliefs and practices in general.

Experience authentic performances by professional players of traditional Japanese musical instruments, known as "Hogaku." You can enjoy two forms of entertainment that allow you to immerse yourself in Japan's rich history: observing a concert featuring passionate and authentic performances by professional musicians, and participating in a hands-on experience of playing Japanese musical instruments. During the concert, you will have the opportunity to witness a dynamic and captivating show by professional performers. In the instrument experience session, you can choose your preferred instrument from the renowned Japanese musical instruments: Shamisen, Koto, and Wadaiko (Japanese drum). From receiving basic instruction on handling the instrument to playing a section together, you can have an authentic experience. you can choose the option of having a professional kimono dressing experience. Of course, there will be time for photography as well.

You can make traditional Japanese Washi paper from raw materials. Enjoy making a piece of washi paper and designing it using dried, pressed seasonal local flowers and leaves. After drying the paper, you can craft it into a set of postcards, or table-mat, or wraparound lampshade, or tapestry panel. You can proceed with it under the guidance of the instructor, in a relaxing atmosphere. While the paper is dried, you will be able to watch a short video of the traditional paper-making method which has been continued for over one thousand years. Handmade Japanese Washi paper will be the perfect souvenir or gift from Japan!

The joy of creating with your own hands. This is a workshop to experience traditional Japanese crafts in Kyoto. Workshops to make pewter sake cups are rare. It may seem difficult, but don't worry. Our pewtersmith will carefully assist you. We will also show you our workshop, which you would not normally see. Pewterware have long been valued in Japan for their ability to make sake and tea taste good. We invite you to experience this with a cup you have made yourself! Why not make a handmade cup for yourself or for your loved one and give it as a gift? The finished cups will be packaged in a paulownia wood box, making them perfect for gift-giving!

Experience Japanese traditional culture through the art of flower arrangement! A flower arranging experience with Junko Sophie Kakizaki who is a pure decadent of an ancient samurai family. With her knowledge and deep appreciation of Japan’s traditions and beauties, she will take you on a wonderful encounter of quiet and authentic Kyoto. She will kindly guide you step by step throughout the workshop in English and/or Japanese. Definitely a once in a lifetime kind of experience you will only able to experience here at “Gensou-an”. Highlights ・Encounter quiet Kyoto and Authentic Japanese Culture ・Flower arrangement workshop with spectacular Japanese garden view ・Experience led by descendent of ancient samurai family, Junko Sophie Kakizaki who will guide you through the journey

Your kids will have the opportunity to share fun experiences with local kids and learn more about Japanese culture. This is the only place in Kyoto where you can do this. You can enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto while your kids do fun activities with us.